RyJ 2005 EL Petit Piramide

[jazznut]

Won Over

Romeo y Julieta Edición Limitada 2005 Petit Piramide

Country of fabrication: Cuba
Dimensions of cigar: 5 inches by 50-ring gauge
Date smoked: Thursday March 23rd, 2006
Setting: Sitting at the kitchen table following dinner.
Accompanying drink: A.H. Hirsch 16 Year Old. Though I had initially debated which liquor to pour alongside the Petit Piramide, the pre-light draw of the Romeo y Julieta immediately convinced me that this fine American Whiskey, with its pronounced undercurrent of oak, would partner the cigar perfectly. It did so.

Smoothness of wrapper: The surface appeared slightly bumpy.
Stretch marks: None
Sheen: The capa gave off an oily glow in the candlelight, the degree of sheen varying from semi-gloss near the foot to positively varnished toward the head.
Tooth: Good, and evenly dispersed.
Veins: Though numerous veins coursed over the entire surface of the capa, they seemed relatively suppressed.
Rendering of wrapper: The edge seams of the thin outer leaf were clearly visible, as well as being a little ragged in a couple of locations. Nonetheless, they all lay flush with the surface.

Colour of wrapper: Colorado Oscuro. Exhibiting a multi-hued, grained appearance reminiscent of Brazilian rosewood, the capa incorporated tones of sanguine-tinged burnt sienna, cocoa brown and burnt umber.
Markings on wrapper: I noted a single small straw-ochre punctate mark at the base of the taper on the right side.
Binder: The colour of the slightly thicker capote combined terracotta and raw sienna tones.
Colour of filler: The internal leaves varied in tone from straw-ochre through reddish burnt sienna and Van Dyke brown to dark sepia.
Construction: Very well fabricated.

Box-press: None.
Rendering of head: The tapered end of the Petit Piramide, though marginally asymmetric and canted toward the left, appeared secure. It culminated in a fine point.
Scroll pattern of filler: Notably even and well bunched.
Finger feel: Medium firm.
Superficial resilience: Excellent.

Draw: Perfect.
Combustion: Very good. A single re-light was required at mid point.
Texture of ash: Slightly flaky exterior, crater-like in places, but otherwise solid and resistant to disengaging.
Length of ash: Held past 1½ inches, and would have remained beyond this length had I not cautiously tapped it into the ashtray.
Shape of ember: Blunted cone.
Colour of ash: Medium through dark grey to charcoal.
Burn angle: Pretty well perpendicular, with some minor scallops early on.
Total smoking time: Just over 1 hour.

Pre-light aroma: Leather and exotic woods, including cedar. This primary fragrance came offset by an elusive sweetness, as though someone had mixed North African spices, raisins, nuts and earth together in a bowl. A scent of Yemen Mocha Mattari coffee as well.
Pre-light draw: Rich tobacco. Profound wood sensation. Very old Sherry vinegar. Pepper.
Residual ammonia: Not perceptible.
Tar precipitation: Not noticeable until very late in the session.

Early portion: Strong tobacco. Peppercorns. Wood. Dark bitter chocolate. Barbecued orange peel and cedar soot.
Mid point: Momentarily cooled as a mint-like breeze crept into the proceedings, notions of forest undergrowth and ferns taking hold on the palate. Then warming tobacco and piquant pepper reappeared from the shadows along with some coffee notes.
Latter stages: Settled and balanced into a finely delineated presentation of tastes. Rose petals in light syrup. Hints of Lapsang Souchong tea. Textured wood. Faint citrus. Increasingly punchy Cuban hit of nicotine despite the almost filigree nature of the flavours.
Lingering sensation: Ripe tobacco imbued with definite citrus tones, which acquired a demure sweetness as they faded.

Length of finish: Extended.
Flavour progression: Dynamic with notable shifts.
Evidence of tannins: Mild to moderate tannic acidity.
Textural quality: Medium bodied.
Strength: Quite heady.

Summary: Although originally a little skeptical of the intrinsic merits of a shortened Piramide, I have to admit that this 2005 Edición Limitada bears more than a passing resemblance to the Romeo y Julieta 2001 Robusto in terms of its style and balance. Very highly recommended.