Sancho Panza - Bachilleres (short tasting)

[AlexOk]

I was asked for my impressions of the cigar. This afternoon I had the calm, to smoke a Bachilleres.

Here's my short tasting:

RG 40

Length: 116 mm

Predraw:

Light toasty aromas, sweet chestnut, nutty, chocolate milk, freshly cut grass

Ash:

Compact ash with good stability. Steel gray at first brownish, bluish gray. Chapped and slightly grainy surface.

1st third:

Earthy, flintstone, musty wood, slightly musty, damp basement

2nd third:

Earthy, woody, forest floor, slate, juicy, musty, furred

3rd third:

Earthy, woodsy, slightly toasty aromas, scorched wood, green walnut, lovage, venison, furry

Conclusion:

If these are the typical aromas of a Sancho Panza, they are really weird. It's hard to say whether I like the cigar. On the first hand I don't like the musty flavors, on the other hand, it makes the cigar interesting.

But I'll take a look at the other formats of Sancho Panza.

[Lotusguy]

Thank you for the comments - seems that the Bachilleres is the "RyJ Cazadores" of the Sancho Panza family (i.e. out of character with the other vitolas). I can't wait to try mine!

So you didn't taste any haggis in yours?

[riazp]

i've always wondered what damp basement tastes like...

[AlexOk]

Thank you for the comments - seems that the Bachilleres is the "RyJ Cazadores" of the Sancho Panza family (i.e. out of character with the other vitolas).

That's maybe true. How would you characterize Sancho Panza?

By the way, the "RyJ Cazadores" is one of my favorit RyJ-cigars. Directly to the Short Churchill.

So you didn't taste any haggis in yours?

I did't taste haggis yet. But I would try it. The recipe sounds a bit strange, but worse than half-hatched eggs in Vietnam it can't be ...

i've always wondered what damp basement tastes like...

Exactly the same. Ok, not exactly, but somehow some flavors reminds me to it.

But you know, nothing is smoked as hot as it was lit. I am going to visit my cigar dealer and buy a couple of other vitolas for testing. Then I'll know more.

[Lotusguy]

That's maybe true. How would you characterize Sancho Panza?

By the way, the "RyJ Cazadores" is one of my favorit RyJ-cigars. Directly to the Short Churchill.

>>> I like the Cazadores and the Short Churchills as well. I would characterize Sancho Panza typically as light-medium cigars with creamy and toasty characteristics. <<<

I did't taste haggis yet. But I would try it. The recipe sounds a bit strange, but worse than half-hatched eggs in Vietnam it can't be ...

>>> It's not as bad as Balut, indeed The worst I ever had to eat was Chicken Sashimi and live baby Octopus in Japan - no thanks! <<<

Exactly the same. Ok, not exactly, but somehow some flavors reminds me to it.

But you know, nothing is smoked as hot as it was lit. I am going to visit my cigar dealer and buy a couple of other vitolas for testing. Then I'll know more.

[mazolaman]

I had a box of these from 05.

Flavour profiles fit,but with the addition of a salty tang.

Good little cigar.

[Lotusguy]

My box came in today - they smell very earthy indeed for such an old box (98). I have to give them rest for a while but then I will post a full review

[Lotusguy]

OK, one month after I received the box, here are my impressions of the first stick. Sorry for the rambling notes but I usually don't post reviews...

Box code: OLSU CFGUS (1998). Paired with Diet Pepsi. Smoking time: ~45 Minutes.

Not the prettiest stick with a "stitched" wrapper. Light box press. Very little aroma at cold. Perfect draw with just a bit of resistance.

Beginning: Starts with a bang - definitely did not mellow out much over the last 13 years. Earthy, dark. I think Don may have been onto something with his "damp cellar" comment. None of the SP saltiness. Full body. Little bit of spice through the nose on retrohale. If I didn't know better, I'd think I am smoking a Partagas, albeit less leather. Very good volume of smoke.

Middle: Spice kicked up a notch. No sweet notes at all. Toasted wood, like putting a slightly damp log on a campfire. Absolutely razor-straight burn. A little harshness creeping in - goes away after I slow down. Can't rush this stick. Ash falls off for the first time. Spice kicks up yet again. So that would make it a "damp cellar with radishes"??? As I approach the last 3rd, burnt espresso notes and just a little bit of sweetness noticable. Body evolves more towards the medium side.

End: Essentially like the middle with not too much progression. A little less spicy. Faint sweetness goes in and out (especially right after ashing). Harshness did not come back. Not a single touch-up required (so much for "98 - 02 are all bad sticks"). I nubbed this cigar.

Glad I was able to pick up a box. It is a tad heavy for an after-lunch smoke, though. Very pleasant aftertaste.

Final rating: 92/100