Yesterday we took at look at the Medulla which is the tradition round cigar from one of the unique releases at the 2017 IPCPR. The Medulla Oblongata is unique as there are 25 cigars that are the traditional round (Medulla) and 25 cigars that are box pressed (Oblongata) in the same 50 count box. Both cigars are the same blend so it’s another instance of being able to judge for yourself how much box pressing changes things up, if at all. We did a similar comparison a few weeks ago with Vallejuello and today marks the 2nd of 2 reviews. How does it compare to the Medulla? Let’s find out
Cigar: Asylum Medulla Oblongata
Wrapper: Honduran Corojo
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Size: Oblongata (Box Pressed Robusto)
The Look: Packed in 50 count boxes, the Oblongata is the box-pressed format cigar of this unique release. The box pressed Oblongata features tissue paper covering up the cigar below the band, which is brown and gold. As we remove the tissue paper it reveals a dry-looking wrapper that reminds me of brown paper bag. This is surprising as it is very different then the round version. In the hand there is a nice weight to it with a well packed foot and the seams of the roll are very visible.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Medulla is very vegetal reminding me of celery stalks and in addition the cigar reminds me of sauerkraut. There is a subtle sweetness present that reminds me of the powder on the bubble gum that was inside Topps trading cards. The aroma off the foot of the cigar has a subtle mix of cedar and earth. Once we toast the foot of the cigar the first note is a subtlt vanilla bean.
During the cold draw we picked up a note of the powder on the bubble gum inside Topps trading cards, and that note makes it way into the first third of the cigar with hints of wheat and earth. The retrohale of the cigar has a sublet spice but it brings back some of the vegetal component from the preflight draw as well.
The second third of the Oblongata sees the notes of wheat become dominant and more earthy. Some of the vegetal notes stay on the finish, and the retrohale kicks up the pepper a level or two. As the second third comes to a close notes of graham begin to emerge creating a subtle sweetness.
The last third of the box pressed is predominantly earthy with hints of wheat. While the retrohale serves up notes of pepper with a slightly leathery finish.
The Finish: If you read the two reviews on the Asylum Medulla Oblongata you can tell which cigar I like more even before you get to the final score. I’ll be hones, I expected it to be the other way around given how much I like box pressed cigars. But the Medulla was more complex, had a nice sweetness to it, and was more balanced. Make sure you have some high quality H20 handy when you smoke this one as my palate constantly needed a refresher on this stick.
Score: 89
Price: $7.19 / $314.99
Asylum Medulla Oblongata
Asylum Medulla Oblongata Naked
Asylum Medulla Oblongata Burn
