John Bull

Another "on faith" buy from Cigars International.  These caught my eye as I was looking through the latest CI catalog.  They simply looked like something I'd like.  I read two very favorable reviews a couple of days later, and suddenly they sounded like something I'd like, too.  And a few days after that CI put them on sale at a crazy-good price and I caved.  To be honest, if it weren't for those glowing reviews, I would never have tried them.  I mean, c'mon:  how good could I expect a $1.50 cigar to be?  And it's not at all like me to buy 20 sticks of a brand I've never tried, but I'm very glad I did.

The John Bull (Prime Minister: 7.2" x 54) is a big, hefty beast of a cigar.  The wrapper is Ecuadorian Connecticut, veiny but attractive, and inside is a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican long fillers.  The taste is better, and smoother, than I would have expected for the price.  At first it had a woodsy, almost earthy taste.  Unusual, but not unpleasant at all.  After the first few puffs it evened out and turned creamy and toasty, and from there it was cool, consistent flavor all the way to my fingertips.  I used a bullet cutter and had absolutely no issues with the draw, as one of the reviewers had.  The ash was medium gray and not very firm, but the burn was slow and cool and even.  The one I had yesterday lasted well over an hour, and I could have easily drawn it out even more.  Not the best cigar I've ever had, but very good overall and an incredible value for anyone looking for an inexpensive but smooth, mild-to-medium everyday stogie.

Appearance and Construction:  12/15

Flavor:  20/25

Smoking Characteristics:  23/25

Overall Impression:  30/35

Total:  85/100