Caught Cheatin' with a Blondie

Disclaimer:  Da Byrdman has never smoked an infused cigar of any kind and never intended to smoke an infused cigar in his life until the Acid Blondie Belicoso by Drew Estate.

Now that the official "disclaimer" business is out of the way, let me say thank you again to Terri Beck for providing the Acid Blondie Belicoso by Drew Estate for this review.  Before I get into my impressions from this cigar, here is the tale of the tape:

ACID Blue Label Blondie Belicoso by Drew Estate

Size:  54 x 5"

Shape:  Belicoso

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade

Binder:  Nicaraguan

Filler:  Nicaraguan

MSRP:  $5 - $7 single; $105/box of 24

Appearance:  Golden brown wrapper with 1-2 small veins

Construction:  Excellent construction with no real flaws in the wrapper.  Firm to the touch but not packed too tightly.

Pre-light Aroma:  Loads of floral/botanical spice. (I'm not sure if I should light it and smoke it or use it as an air freshener, but I like it).

Pre-light Draw:  Sweet tea flavors with a hint of honey and mild sweet tobacco.

A year ago I teased Big Pimpin' incessantly about the Acid Kuba Kuba that he smoked one night while we were out at a local bar.  Now here I am reviewing yet another Acid cigar from the same blue label portion of the line, but this time it's the Blondie Belicoso.  I have seen the original Blondie in stores on many occasions and just decided to walk on by, but with the release of the new Blondie Belicoso, Blondie's phatter (yes with a "ph") and more shapely sibling, I figured I'd give it a whirl.

1st third:  Upon lighting the cigar and taking the first couple of puffs, I was introduced to loads of smoke and the sweetest taste I have ever encountered from a cigar wrapper.  The wrapper was so sweet that I felt as if it overpowered the intital flavor of the smoke.  The wrapper almost felt syrupy and slightly sticky in my hands and on my lips.  The smoke was initially woody with a bit of toast on the finish.  The ash was firm and gray with an almost flawless burn line.  Progressing further, the flavor started to pick up more of the floral infusion; however, the wrapper flavor was still very sweet and strong.  This wrapper was so sweet that I think I licked my lips more than LL Cool J.  Toward the end of the first third, the cigar was giving off lots of aromatic resting smoke.  The ash was over an inch in length and still holding firmly.  The overall body was mild and very smooth.

2nd third:  As I neared the halfway point of the cigar, the flavor picked up a hint of rose hips (never imagined I would use rose hips to describe cigar flavors but that's what I was getting).  The rose hips were really complementing the sweetness of the wrapper and the smoke was very delightful.  The draw was pretty much effortless; however, it was not causing the cigar to burn at an accelerated rate.  The floral notes were continously intensifying along with the aroma of the resting smoke.  Each puff produced a bouquet of aromas and clouds of thick white smoke that were a real delight to the senses.

Final third:  Drawing into the final phase, the cigar started to heat up and while the rose hips were dying away, the toast that was present in the first third returned.  The botanical aromas in the resting smoke were starting to diminish with each puff and the aroma was becoming more and more "like a cigar".  As I brought the cigar to a nub, the toasted woodiness was stronger on the exhale and retro-hale but the cigar continued to remain very mild and smooth in body.  The botanicals completed died off by the time I nubbed this cigar and the heat continued to intensify (as it should given the shape).

Overall:  For my first infused/flavored cigar, it was definitely an above average smoke.  I would call this cigar a "change-up" compared to the usual "fastballs" that I smoke (e.g. Cain, Man O'War Ruination).  I would definitely say that this cigar is worth the investment of a 5-pack for someone who looks for a change of pace but is not an infused cigar smoker.  If infused cigars are to your liking, this is a definite homerun hitter.

Verdict:  4 out of 5 Smokes

Until next time, fly straight and fly high with long ashes

-Da Byrdman-