Notes & évaluations
Note de la rédaction
Note des amateurs
Soyez le premier
Organoleptic profile
Strength
medium
Balance
very good
Draw
perfect
Intensity
expressive
- Bouquet
- complex
- Finish
- medium
- Ash color
- light gray
- Smoke output
- medium
Aroma profile
Tasting notes
The Oscar Valladares 2012 by Oscar Barber Pole presents a remarkable visual wrapper, combining Maduro and Candela capas that create a playful contrast. Its toro shape offers a pleasant grip, appealing with its elegant lines and meticulous aesthetic. The texture of the wrapper, perfectly crafted, promises a captivating smoking experience.
Upon first contact, the nose awakens to complex pre-light aromas such as cocoa, fresh wood, and a subtle hint of fruit. Upon lighting, graceful notes of milk and honey explode, mingled with a fine light spice. This aromatic blend quickly develops, revealing an elegant and promising richness throughout the first third.
On the palate, the cigar evolves in three perfectly balanced phases. The beginning is smooth, offering nuances of fruit, wood, and creamy texture. Gradually, notes of coffee and nuts emerge, accompanied by a slight piquancy. The final third brings additional complexity with touches of earth and spices, while maintaining that characteristic sweetness, culminating in a fascinating experience.
The finish reveals a medium-length experience, a harmonious balance between strength and sweetness. The mouthfeel is pleasant, leading to a nice salivation and a gentle persistence of its aromas. What makes the Oscar Valladares unique is its ability to bring together seemingly disparate flavors into a coherent and satisfying experience.
This cigar is ideal for a moment of relaxation after a hearty meal, paired with a glass of wine or a peated whisky to accentuate the woody and spicy nuances. Its alluring character and presentation make it a perfect choice for cigar enthusiasts seeking a unique and refined experience.
Community impressions
Cigar enthusiasts highlight its impeccable construction and appealing aesthetics. The aromatic richness unfolds throughout the tasting, with notes of cocoa, fruits, and a harmonious balance between strength and sweetness. Its pleasant finish and good mouthfeel make it a preferred choice for those seeking a fulfilling and refined experience.
How to taste: Oscar Valladares 2012 by Oscar Barber Pole (Toro)
▼
1.Visual Examination
The Oscar Valladares 2012 by Oscar Barber Pole features a dark brown wrapper with pronounced maduro characteristics, showcasing beautiful construction. With its Toro vitola measuring 152.4 mm and a ring gauge of 52, this cigar presents an imposing yet elegant silhouette.
This initial observation allows one to gauge the quality of the tobacco and its preparation — good construction is often synonymous with a pleasant smoking experience.
2.Pre-light Aromas
Even before lighting, the pre-light aromas reveal notes of wood, chocolate, and fruit. These scents blossom upon contact with air, preparing the palate for future aromatic surprises.
The aromas perceived at this stage are essential for anticipating the upcoming tasting experiences — they help refine attention on the complexity that lies ahead.
3.The Cut
Adopt a standard straight cut just below the cap, essential for an easy draw. The beautiful construction of the cigar ensures that this step proceeds smoothly.
A careful cut is crucial to ensure a consistent draw — it avoids the inconveniences of uneven burn that could detract from the experience.
4.Cold Draw
The cold draw proves perfect, indicating excellent airflow through the cigar. This bodes well for a good burn and a pleasant experience from the very first puffs.
Checking the draw before lighting allows for the identification of any potential defects, thus ensuring a tasting start without unpleasant surprises.
5.Lighting
Take the time to light the foot of the cigar evenly. A good lighting is essential to ensure that all tobaccos begin to burn in sync.
A poorly lit foot can lead to canoeing, compromising the balance and quality of the smoke — a moment of attention here prevents boredom during the tasting.
6.First Third
From the first puffs, the strength of the Oscar Valladares 2012 reveals itself to be medium, with a dominance of woody, chocolatey, and fruity aromas. The smoke volume is also medium, promising a pleasant experience.
This first third is often decisive — it prepares the palate and gives an initial idea of the complexity that may develop throughout the tasting.
7.Second Third
In this phase, the cigar begins to evolve, unveiling secondary aromas of nuts, spices, and a slight note of sulfur. The balance remains very good, enriching the tasting experience.
Observing the evolution of aromas at this stage allows one to fully savor the richness of the blend — this is often where the complexity of the cigar manifests best.
8.The Finish
At the end of the tasting, the light gray ashes testify to a consistent burn. The finish is characterized by a lingering sweetness, a slight bitterness, and a pleasant salivation.
The color and retention of the ashes are indicators of the quality of the tobacco, while a pleasant finish signifies a fine mastery of the blend, inviting one to enjoy every last puff.