Oh what a difference a few years make. When I first moved to New Hampshire the slightest threat of snow would have me under my covers and now wanting to leave the house. Now in the midst of my 3rd winter in New England, the weather calling for 11″ of snow was met with a hearty laugh. However, when I got into work my co-worker said, “what the hell are you doing here, you have to drive the furtherest. You will never make it home tonight”.
Needless to say with the snow falling at 2″ an hour and the 11″ prediction seeming a little short I am now re-thinking the whole decision to come in today.
Cigar: Garofalo
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli & Jalapa)
Length: 7″
Ring: 50
Size: Churchill
The Look: The Connecticut shade wrapper that adorns this cigar made by Perdomo has a nice sheen to it, and there are some thin veins present. There is also a fair amount of oils visible on the butterscotch color Ecuador grown wrapper. The band which is bronze and black over white has a styling looking G in the center with the name Garofalo underneath. The cigar has a near seamless roll with a hefty weight and well packed foot.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Garofalo has some dark chocolate notes with a hint of molasses present as well. The sweetness of the cold draw is matched by the bouquet of similar notes off the foot. Once the cigar is lit, there is a touch of pepper through the nose that quickly fades away with some warm butter notes that develop and embrace the palate.
As we work into the first third of the Garofalo the butter notes slowly fade as a nuttiness takes hold of the cigar. In the background there is some earth notes as well and a slight pepper on the finish as well as through the nose.
As the second third of the Garofalo some of the sweetness of the cold draw begins to show itself again but the focal point remains nutty. There is the development of a sweet bakers spice that struggles to take hold and teases the palate.
In the last third of the Garofalo the baking spices hold with some dark chocolate notes that tantalize the palate creating an exquisite smoking experience.
The Finish: A great morning cigar for those who like to gradually progress during the day. The notes are easy to identify and it fills the desire for a morning cigar. Between the Toro and the Churchill I found the Churchill to have more definable notes and characteristics that make this an easy choice to start the day. For those liking some a little stronger, the cigars also come with in a Sungrown or Maduro wrapper.
Score: 91
Price: $7.69 / $129.99
Garofalo Burn
