Mark Twain Memoir No. 1

TheBrooklynWay

Mark Twain Memoir No. 1:
---------------------------------
Beautiful chocolate wrapper. Smell off the body nice, cocoa, espresso, a bit of spice on the foot. Solid build, double cap, rolled tight, no visible imperfections. Rough, but not toothy.

Band looks good, artistic. Loose draw, taste of espresso, a bit of hay.

1st 3rd:
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Full strength for me. Strong on retro hale, long finish. I'm getting, hay, grass, earth - heavy pepper spice on retro, long finish. A little bitter on finish. Ending 1st getting flowery notes. Loose draw.

Smoke pretty light off the foot, but heavy on draw. Smoke off foot started to pick up ending 1st 3rd. Thick, rich smoke. Nice white ash; pretty solid, just a bit of a flake, seems to be from the wrapper.
 
Burn is a little uneven, nothing major or require of a touch up. Ash holding up about an inch so far.  Correcting itself. Feeling a little buzz nearing the 2nd 3rd. starting to settle in to a medium-full going into the 2nd.
.
2nd 3rd:
-----------
More mellow now. Smooth, pepper gone, mellow earth tones. Short finish now. Light on the palate.  Very mellow on retro hale now, but still packing a punch. Bitterness gone, a lot more subtle.
 
Getting grass, flowers, lighter flavors then a transition back to earth.
 
Draw the same. Smoke still light off foot. Still smoky. Thick in mouth on draw. Ash holding up, but a lot of visible cracks; not as solid looking. Burn little wonky again, not bad. Ash fell, inch and half in. Touch up was required.

Last 3rd:
-----------
Strength picking back up on retro hale. Changing from Med to full between draws. Earth tones never completely go away, however, the mellow tones are gone, and the harder notes are back.

Licorice, wood, smoky, a little leather. 
Smoke getting heavy off foot; same on draw. Burn wonky again, and required a touch up. Ash holding up an inch since fall.

Overall:
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The smell and flavor transitions of this stick are amazing. The smoke smells great, and the blend produces great flavors along with strength. One minute you're getting earthy tones, next minute a intro of flowers; very aromatic. Same on strength, starts off strong, making it's presence felt, mellows out a bit, and then comes back with a back hand to bring you back to what this stick is about...FULL BODY NICENESS! So, High Med, full body for me, definitely complex flavors; an after a meal smoke.
 
Smoke out light on foot until the last 3rd, heavy on draw all the way through. A couple of touch ups were needed, but nothing horrible. Ash holds up pretty good, a little flaky visually, but not snowing down while smoking...which is acceptable to me. Never got hot, stayed solid.

This is a great smoke. One I do regularly, and definitely 
recommend. Nubbed it!

Yakster

I wish you'd pick better sticks to review.

TheBrooklynWay

Yakster said:

I wish you'd pick better sticks to review.

"Better" is very subjective don't you think? What is better in "your" opinion? What "should" I be reviewing?

Yakster

You should learn your audience.

CharlieHeis

I'll agree with Yak on this one. Your reviews are very good but I'd be more interested in seeing a better cigar reviewed. I smoke cheap cigars most of the week if I have time at all, but on the weekends I tend to want a good boutique blend (or six). I'd rather see a boutique blend reviewed than a run of the mill everyday smoke. Just my two cents. 

Amos_Umwhat

I have mixed feelings.  I appreciate what @Yakster and @CharlieHeis are saying, but, who's out there reviewing the everyday affordable smokes?  Might be filling a need for the newbies, or those wondering whether to spring for a whole box of affordable cigars.  I've been curious about the Memoir, but not willing to buy an unknown, especially since they're all over 50 ring gauge which is usually my max.

CharlieHeis

That's a valid point. 

TheBrooklynWay

Yakster said:

You should learn your audience.

I've smoked everything from the expensive to the bundles, and I review everything. I speak with an open mind, and an unbiased one. When you say "You should learn your audience", that sounds rather arrogant to say, unless you took a poll of this entire forum that you can provide me with.

Ultimately, I respect your opinion on a cigar, but please do not suggest I review "better" cigars, because you are violating cigar etiquette 101. You may not like the cigar that I review today, but you may tomorrow. I do this for any and all cigar smokers, from those that can afford top shelf, to those who chose not to splurge.

I hope in the future if I review a cigar you don't like you can keep in mind someone may, and you can leave your opinion on the cigar (if you smoked it) or move on to another topic.

Also, I would be happy and am open for any suggestions if someone would like my opinion on a cigar. Let me know, and I will do my best to get my hands on one (if I don't have one already).

IndustMech

Yakster said:

Ix	Name	Brand	Factory
1	The Boondock Saint	BWS/BLTC	Oveja Negra
2	Bishops Blend	BWS/BLTC	Oveja Negra
3	Sobremesa	Dumbarton TT	Joya de Nic
4	The Tabernacle	Foundation	AJ Fernandez
5	Umbagog	Dumbarton TT	Nic American Cigars
6	Mi Querida	Dumbarton TT	Nic American Cigars
7	Maestro del Tiempo	Warped	TABSA
8	Flor de Cesar	BnB Cigars	Oveja Negra
9	Grimalkin	Emilio	Oveja Negra
10	Coleccion Reserva	La Gloria Cubana	La Alianza
11	Killer Bee	BWS/BLTC	Oveja Negra
12	Hemingway Signature	Arturo Fuente	A. Fuente
13	Le Bijou 1922	My Father	My Father
14	Morphine	BLTC	Oveja Negra
15	Red Knight	Jas Sum Kral	New Order of the Ages
16	Deliverance	BWS/BLTC	Oveja Negra
17	Little Boris	Tatuaje	My Father
18	Sin Compromiso	Dumbarton TT	Joya de Nic
19	The Wise Man Maduro	Foundation	TABSA
20	Muestra de Saka Nacatamale	Dumbarton TT	Joya de Nic
21	The Bride (Monster)	Tatuaje	My Father
22	Diademas Finas (50th)	Davidoff	Davidoff
23	Zombie Biohazard Green	Viaje	-
24	Improvisation 30 Years	Avo	O.K. Cigars
25	Zombie Antidote	Viaje	Raices Cubanas

peter4jc

TheBrooklynWay said:

Yakster said:

You should learn your audience.

I've smoked everything from the expensive to the bundles, and I review everything. I speak with an open mind, and an unbiased one. When you say "You should learn your audience", that sounds rather arrogant to say, unless you took a poll of this entire forum that you can provide me with.

But that's "arguing from a negative", IOW you're asking him to prove nobody has or will smoke a given cigar, an impossible thing to prove.  Chris is saying if you want to be of service to this community your odds would improve by reviewing cigars that would stand a better chance of being smoked.  The impression I get (and I don't think I'm alone on this) is that you care more about the broadcast coverage of your reviews than whether or not they will offer a genuine service to the Ccom forum.  If I've been presumptious in that impression, please forgive me.  If you were a frequent flyer here and then started offering detailed reviews, i.e. @Martel, I'd be less inclined to feel that reviews were a part of a larger strategy of self-promotion.  But someone who seems to have several outlets for their reviews, swoops in here and insists his reviews are relevant even though the cigars reviewed are not the typical cigars we smoke, has the scent of ulterior motives.

peter4jc

Please indulge a couple more thoughts - in another post, rather than editing the above...

One of the things I hate more than anything (and my ex was the best at this) is when people assume my motives.  I realize I may have done to you what I hate to have done to me, which would demote me to 'major douchebag'.  We may never know if my presuming was baseless, but if evidence comes in down the road that I was wrong I'll gladly wear that 'major douchebag' sign around my neck.

Something we've seen on this forum and remarked on in conversations, is the maturing (for lack of a better word) of a smoker's palate - people join who were recently introduced to premium cigars and after a not-so-long a time they realize their premium cigars weren't all that premium.  Most, if not all, go through that, as is evidenced by a crapload of cigars in our humidors after a year or two of smoking, cigars that we bought as newbs - based on 'a great deal' or on 'a great review'.  This isn't coming from a snob who 'progressed' beyond that stage and now looks down on those smoking some basic/common/mainstream cigars; it's just a reflection on what happens to most who join this forum and hang around.  Maybe it's just that the culture here is such that people abandon their newb smokes so they can blend in with the cool kids smoking the boutiques, but I don't think so.  I think some of this train of thought might be behind @yakster's post too.

Lastly, we need to keep in perspective the purpose and efficacy of reviews.  I've used online reviews to help in decisions whether to buy a box or three.  Over time we find online reviewers whose palates we can trust and relate to, and aren't simply wanting an online presence or like getting free cigars which lead to biased opinions.  One thing I've learned is to take a group of those reviewers and form a consensus opinion to guide me in my purchases.  I do the same thing with forum members - I learn who has similar tastebuds and tastes and will buy based on what I hear them saying.  The point is a single reviewer (IMNSHO) doesn't carry as much weight because there's great variation from smoker to smoker; case in point, somebody here smoked a CAO Colombia he didn't like, another guy said he likes them, the first guy says 'you can have the rest of what I have'.  There just needs to be some caution persuing cigars based on one reviewer's opinion, at least until we know that person and how their palate relates to ours.

TheBrooklynWay

I read your comments, and understand your opinion. I don't agree. I will continue to be a good standing member as I can be, and do what I do. One thing I've learned over my years mingling (especially in forums) is you can't "try" to make people like you. You're always going to have those few that have their feelings about you or what you're doing until you "prove yourself worthy" (to them). I'm going to give my opinion on the cigars I smoked, and if a member likes it, great, if not, it's ok. I'm not going to go back and forth about what you or anyone thinks my intentions are, should be, could be, etc, because I'm not here for that. I'm here to give my opinion on what I smoked, and engage with others who liked or didn't like the cigar.

silvermouse

Peter, I don't think you have earned the rank of Major Douchebag yet, you have to start at the bottom and work your way up. There is a hat, though, if I am wrong:

Bob_Luken

TheBrooklynWay said:

I'm here to give my opinion on what I smoked, and engage with others who liked or didn't like the cigar.

We learn from each other on this forum without too much formality. You have joined us with a specific goal apparently,....  to present your reviews and discuss your reviews. Is that all you plan to do? If that's all you're here for, you're missing out.

I know we can be a tough crowd. Sorry.

peter4jc

silvermouse said:

Peter, I don't think you have earned the rank of Major Douchebag yet, you have to start at the bottom and work your way up. There is a hat, though, if I am wrong:

Ahhh... but the day is not yet over... I still have time to prove myself.  And I intend to add more here later when time allows.

Amos_Umwhat

TheBrooklynWay said:

I read your comments, and understand your opinion. I don't agree. I will continue to be a good standing member as I can be, and do what I do. One thing I've learned over my years mingling (especially in forums) is you can't "try" to make people like you. You're always going to have those few that have their feelings about you or what you're doing until you "prove yourself worthy" (to them). I'm going to give my opinion on the cigars I smoked, and if a member likes it, great, if not, it's ok. I'm not going to go back and forth about what you or anyone thinks my intentions are, should be, could be, etc, because I'm not here for that. I'm here to give my opinion on what I smoked, and engage with others who liked or didn't like the cigar.

@TheBrooklynWay , I think you're going to be just fine here.  Don't sweat it.  My first couple posts were about a new Rocky Patel cigar, "Puro Cubano" if I recall.  I didn't like it.  At all.  I'd been impressed with previous RPs, 1990 and 1992 as well as the Sun Grown, But I thought this new one sucked.  And said so, and received quite a bit of grief for it.  I noticed about a year later that it was no longer available, and felt vindicated. 

The problem was, I was new here, nobody knew me or if my opinion would align with others regarding cigar quality.  

What will take a little time is this.  We don't like being taken advantage of, and it happens.  A Lot.  We come here to hang out with each other, and to freely discuss our opinions about cigars and other things, knowing that there will be disagreements.  We generally get over them, laugh and move on.  We don't appreciate people who come here to peddle their wares, often at our host CCOM's expense.  Pisses us off.  So, sometimes we perhaps get overly suspicious.  I'll apologize, but, it is what it is.  

So, there is a lot of give and take.  Be patient, do your thing, which you do quite well, and all will be well in time.  Julian, the owner of the B&M in Columbia TN where we had our recent Muletown Herf said a couple pertinent things to me.  One thing he said was:
"You guys sure don't mind telling each other what you think.", 
and the other was:
"You guys sure are generous with each other."  
Both observations were spot on.  My response was: 
"Well, we're that kind of group."

P.S.  We're all still hoping for @peter4jc to win his new hat, too! 

Martel

Meh. I'm for more people getting their thoughts down to share with others.  Like has been said, if you find a group of reviewers with similar tastes it can be helpful to amalgamate their reviews to find something you might like.

As long as the reviews are genuine, not a sales tactic, or some other promotional effort.

I know it's 6 of one, half dozen of another, but I've always preferred to see all the reviews of a reviewer on one thread.  I can get a feel for their history that way if I'm new to reading their reviews.  It jacked me up, though, when the forum switched and didn't carry over any of my post titles with the cigar names on reviews I didn't get pics with. 

I also have a slow internet connection so the many really big pictures take forever to load.

I welcome @TheBrooklynWay and his efforts.  It's not my style to immediately jump down someone's throat.  I'll give it some time.  Sure, it's a bit odd to just jump in with reviews and self-promote in this community, but I've seen others where it's kind of the norm. 

Just write well and share a variety and I'm happy.

Welcome.

jd50ae

A pox on all of you.
If I wrote a nice piece on 5 Vegas Gold most of you would nail me to the wall.
It would not matter if I posted fast loading, cropped VGA photos.
It would not matter if I used as many one syllable words as possible.
You would show no mercy.

peter4jc

You are absolutely correct, Steve.  The above is well put.

Time will tell.  Why someone creates an account and manages the relationships with our family always comes to the surface.

So far, all I've heard is 'I'll do what I want, post what I want, and nobody can tell me otherwise'.  That to me sounds like self-promotion and spam, and getting free exposure at Ccom's expense.  Even @miller65rod can take advice; when they said these bums have no meat on 'em, he started posting more amply-proportioned examples.  How would you or most of us respond, when entering a new forum, upon hearing some well-intentioned advice?  We'd say 'good points' and keep a lower profile until we know the people of the forum.  I still say @TheBrooklynWay is here to serve his own purposes while cloaking it as presenting a service to the forum.  I hope I'm wrong.

@TheBrooklynWay, this is the second time in as many weeks that someone used terms like 'proven themselves worthy'.  The pushback I/we gave you has nothing to do with any judgment on your person or worthiness to belong here or squeezing you to 'fit in'.

dirtdude

Give him the damn hat.

TheBrooklynWay

This is all rather exhausting. Ok, first things first, lets address the elephant in the room..."self promotion" "I'm here to serve my own purpose" as Peter put it. Yes! I am here to self promote, never denied that, yes, I have a facebook group, which was evident from the start, I have a website coming, and I'm working on a youtube channel...all in which I always said. I even shared photos of my home, my lounge and herf/youtube video location. All of the above I have always said. Now, the question is, is that the ONLY reason I'm here? Am I "genuine"...whew. I don't like to have to defend my character, and Peter, I'd like to think you wouldn't take to kindly to anyone coming at you in the real world, say a cigar lounge, the way you're addressing me...however, I'll answer the genuine thing like this, I'm a real guy, I'm simple, honest and to the point.

If I were a spammer, or someone whom didn't care to be here, and converse with the cigar lovers here, I could have easily bombed this place with promo links and left, made a new screen name and did it again. I took time to answer and respond to everything brought to my attention. I think I have been respectful and polite.

I am here to share my opinion on cigars that I have smoked, or came across. I enjoy what I do, and take it seriously, but claim to be no professional. If someone reads my review, likes it or debates it, It's an honor for me because their time could have been spent elsewhere. With me being a reviewer I do speak for myself, and try to speak to everyone the best I can. If I'm asked about a cigar, or asked to review it, I take that as a compliment or a sign of someone appreciating what I do, so Peter, you taking everything that I have said (which seems impossible to me) and boiling it down to "'I'll do what I want, post what I want, and nobody can tell me otherwise", is insane to me, but, if that is what you got out of EVERYTHING I have said...maybe you just have your feelings against me or what I represent. That's fine.

Ultimately, we are all grown men and women, and WILL do what we want. I'm sure I cant MAKE you smoke a stick of my choosing Peter, as you haven't like my selection so far lol. It's ok. For all those reading, I'm not mad at anything. I am here to promote myself as I have worked hard on what it is I'm doing, however, I'm here because I want to be here chatting with you fine folks.

I end with this. If anyone here has a suggestion on a cigar, send me a message. I do my reviews for everyone, even you Peter. I respect this lifestyle a great deal, and I respect other alike. If you guys don't want me here, I don't want any trouble, I'll be out of your hair. You all be well.

Thank you Bob, Amos & Martel.

Bob_Luken

@TheBrooklynWay
Have you ever been involved in a forum where you trade cigars with other members? That's a big thing with us. I used to be more involved with trades and passes than I am now. For several years now I have let the trades and passes subside. These days, I'm all about the relationships that I have already formed with the members here. We talk about cigars and also many things besides cigars. But If you think you'd be interested in getting to know a little more about how we usually do things with new members, I could be coaxed out of retirement and would be willing to trade cigars with you. I am curious about the Mark Twain Memoir No.1. If you have enough of those you'd be willing to part with one, I'd like to try one for myself. Check out The Newbie Trading Thread to see how we do it, and let me know if you'd be interested or need any further info. If not, that's OK too.        

CharlieHeis

TheBrooklynWay said:

This is all rather exhausting. 

I agree. Light up a cigar of your choosing, put your feet up and enjoy. 

dirtdude

CharlieHeis said:

TheBrooklynWay said:

This is all rather exhausting. 

I agree. Light up a cigar of your choosing, put your feet up and enjoy. 

Agree. That's what we do around here when we aren't culling the herd. Welcome to the forum @TheBrooklynWay, review anything you like and if it's of no interest to me I won't read it.

peter4jc

"I don't like to have to defend my character, and Peter, I'd like to think you wouldn't take to kindly to anyone coming at you in the real world, say a cigar lounge, the way you're addressing me...however, I'll answer the genuine thing like this, I'm a real guy, I'm simple, honest and to the point."

I'll say it again, nobody is saying your character is flawed.  If I point a finger at someone I have three fingers pointing back at me.  Nobody is "coming at you".  And if this was at my cigar lounge, I certainly would speak up if someone was trying to use the lounge for purposes other than what the owners intended.

"If I'm asked about a cigar, or asked to review it, I take that as a compliment or a sign of someone appreciating what I do, so Peter, you taking everything that I have said (which seems impossible to me) and boiling it down to "'I'll do what I want, post what I want, and nobody can tell me otherwise", is insane to me, but, if that is what you got out of EVERYTHING I have said...maybe you just have your feelings against me or what I represent. That's fine."

But that was basically your retort when a couple of people asked to 'know your audience' or post reviews more typical of what the majority of member smoke.  Not "I'll take that into consideration" but more like it's my review and my choice what cigars I review.


So look, I don't have a bone to pick w/ you personally.  What you post won't affect me.  And I hope you hang around in spite of this kerfuffle.  Let's imagine that you do hang around, become an integral part of who we are with trades like Bob is suggesting, etc.  I hope you will care enough about the family here to speak up when you feel you should for the betterment of the forum.  That's all I'd ask.


p.s. I'd apologize, but it scares @mill@miller65rod when I do.

We return you know to our regularly scheduled program.  

Amos_Umwhat

jd50ae said:

A pox on all of you.
If I wrote a nice piece on 5 Vegas Gold most of you would nail me to the wall.
It would not matter if I posted fast loading, cropped VGA photos.
It would not matter if I used as many one syllable words as possible.
You would show no mercy.

Wait a minute!  You mean you really like those?   

  

jd50ae

Yes oh learned one.........

peter4jc

And since I have your attention, dear members...  if you ever, and I mean ever, think that I'm over the top/out of line, I welcome your correction, either via PM or publicly.  If I carry on in a way you deem detrimental to the forum (or just mental in general) help me see it.  Wadsworth said, "A man with a true friend needs no mirror" and I want you all to be my mirror.

...for Rodney's benefit - I'll just ignore them anyway.  For the rest of you, I'm serious.

TNBigfoot68

A few thoughts, I enjoy reading reviews and though I have smoked a few MT #1 memoir and have found them to be a steady good smoke. A review of a Stick like this is good for those considering to pick up a few but not sure.  However I call BS. First of all this stick is not as complex as you make it sound. If I had never smoked one and read your review, bought box, waited impatiently for it to arrive, then let rest, losing my mind in anticipation, then smoke this magical stick I would be greatly disappointed and be mad that I got something less spectacular than I was lead to believe.  Be careful that when you review a cigar that you are not fluffing the review for a following. #1 is a good Cigar, not by any stretch of imagination as described. Glad you here, @TheBrooklynWay and as I said I love reviews.
Next: @peter4jc is a great BOTL and I greatly respect him. He and many others like him make this the great place it is.  
If you are wanting to bring something to the forum, do so by interacting with us in the many avenues available. VHERF, trades, passes, contests, etc.  
Welcome to the forum.

VegasFrank

So in my opinion, the @TheBrooklynWay cigar reviews read a lot like a product description that you'd find on ccom or JR websites.  Every cigar is great and every one is nubbed.  Cool, I nub almost all of mine too, but a serious critical reviewer has a discerning pallet.  If a Twain is nubbed the same way a Warlord is the same way a Sobremesa is, then why the hell am I spending 12 bucks on the Sobremesa? 

TheBrooklynWay

Bob_Luken said:

@TheBrooklynWay
Have you ever been involved in a forum where you trade cigars with other members? That's a big thing with us. I used to be more involved with trades and passes than I am now. For several years now I have let the trades and passes subside. These days, I'm all about the relationships that I have already formed with the members here. We talk about cigars and also many things besides cigars. But If you think you'd be interested in getting to know a little more about how we usually do things with new members, I could be coaxed out of retirement and would be willing to trade cigars with you. I am curious about the Mark Twain Memoir No.1. If you have enough of those you'd be willing to part with one, I'd like to try one for myself. Check out The Newbie Trading Thread to see how we do it, and let me know if you'd be interested or need any further info. If not, that's OK too.        

We call them bombs. I'm familiar with it, but never have I ever taken part in one. I'd be honored to pull you out of retirement lol, and you will be the first person in all of my years I will have traded packages with. I actually like the Mark Twain, and have bought a couple of boxes. They're great to me for the value. I certainly have a few to spare and wouldn't mind sending you out one or two. Just let me know the details of how you want to orchestrate this trade.