Appearance
A dark chocolate brown colored wrapper leaf with very thin veins, tightly wrapped almost invisible seams and a very light oil sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.
Aroma
Earth, dark chocolate, cedar and spice on the wrapper leaf.
Closed foot
Prelight Draw
Earth, dark chocolate, dried red fruit, dark brown sugar, graham cracker, cedar and cinnamon spice.
1st
The initial draws bring notes of earth, dark chocolate, cedar and warm cinnamon spice. The draw is a bit snug. The burn is razor sharp so far. I begin gently massaging the barrel of the cigar to find and remove the snug area to improve the draw. The ash is light gray, almost white and tight. The draw is beginning to loosen up at the 1” mark. The strength starts out medium. Smoke production is at the low end of medium range. At 1.75” I notice the draw improving some more. The burn line is slightly uneven. Implementing simple physics. With the improvement of the draw the smoke production moves to the medium range. The ash held firm and straight until removal.
2nd
Upon inspection of the working end I find a 1/8” diameter tunnel 1/8” under the binder leaf which is causing the uneven burn. The burn has fully self corrected. Graham cracker notes join the profile. The draw has become effortless. The smoke production is at the low end of high range. Light brown sugar notes join the profile. The burn becomes uneven again. The finish is long with notes of earth, dark chocolate, cedar, dried red fruit, graham cracker, light brown sugar and warm cinnamon spice.
Final/3rd
The well balanced and flavorful profile continues unchanged into the final/3rd. Strength is at med/full. Dark roast coffee notes join the profile. The profile remains consistent right to the nub.
Overall
The Viaje Skull and Bones Mephisto Toro Extra provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with an effortless draw after the 1st/3rd and slightly uneven burn for just over half of the cigar.
A big thank you to brother Charlie @writercimasuda for the gift bag of cigars which this was a part of.
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