JULY 21, 2021 - PHIL KURUT, COMEDY - CIGARS - MUSIC
ROJAS STREET TACOS BARBACOA SHORT CORONA (5 1/2 x 46)
WRAPPER: ECUADORIAN SUMATRA
BINDER: NICARAGUA
FILLER: NICARAGUA
Dry hay, juicy raisin, and sweetness hit my nose from the Barbacoa’s wrapper and closed foot. The bands are lively and fun. Let’s see how fun the cigar is.
Light up brings on some dark, earthy clay, a touch of sweetness, and an equal touch of spice via an excellent draw, which is followed up by a generous smoke output. Within a few more puffs, the sweetness builds slightly with a peek of a nicely charred meat. Could be the power of suggestion, but whatever.
Earth and a slight bit of cilantro come through the retrohale. The finish is meaty and spicy but settles out very clean, even with the spice covering the back of my tongue, throat, and palate. Covering but not overwhelming.
Excellent day outside. Perfect taco weather.
The Barbacoa’s smoke puts off a pleasant meaty, earthy, and sweet aroma.
Not sure about you, but the more I smoke cigars, the less I care about the components (wrapper, binder, and filler). I’ve had the slew of combinations, and at the end of the day, it’s either enjoyable or it isn’t. I allow myself to not get caught up in everything else. I leave that to the blenders. Some are winners, some are in between, and some are tasteless leaves backed by a boatload of marketing. Just my opinion.
Moving forward, the Barbacoa continues with some nicely sweetened earth and a perfect helping of spice, and it’s quite smooth.
The retrohale starts with a sweetness akin to Diet Pepsi. And, no, I’m not pairing the Barbacoa with Diet Pepsi. Why? Because I’m reviewing the cigar. Leather takes the back end of the retrohale.
Leather with a beginning tap of bitterness and spice keep the finish interesting, and it still fades out clean. Cool.
The burn hasn’t even tempted me to touch my lighter. Thank goodness. I didn’t come outside with a cigar so I could work.
Ending out the first third, the Barbacoa is a bit out of my wheelhouse, but I’m here to look at it for what it is, and it’s a good cigar so far. Onward.
Clay, dark chocolate, a pleasant roasted meat, and a touch of spice drive the second third. Earth and bitter leather move through the nostrils, and the finish continues on with bitter leather, a dash of dark chocolate, and half a dash of spice.
Aside from the bitter leather, it’s still smoking smoothly with a fairly even burn. A small crack has developed right above the first band. I’m hoping the Barbacoa burns right through it. I’m betting on the power of the second band’s mustache to see us through. Don’t let me down you sexy beast of a stache. Am I asking too much of a mustache?
Winner? Team Mustachio. The crack in the wrapper went out like Bruce Willis in The Fifth Element. The scene where the priest hits him in the back of the head. Anyone? Still one of my favorite scenes in a movie. Bruce Willis’ performance of getting knocked out is hilarious…to me. Anyway.
One minor burn touch-up here in the final third. Gotta love the single torch for that. Precision.
Sweetness leads a bit of chocolate and earth in the final third. The retrohale is now clean, clean, clean earth. Leather, coffee, and a soft spoken bit of spice round out the finish. Still clean as a whistle once they all fade.
So, what’s the final word? The Barbacoa isn’t necessarily my thing, but it’s a good cigar. Consistent, hassle-free, and enjoyable.
SMOKE TIME: 1 hr. 26 mins.
RATING: 3 / 4 - The mustache says it all.
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