Cigar Watch

Cigar Brand? Cusano Xclusivo

Size Name? Preferido Grande

Length/Ring Gauge? 6.1" x 54 ring

Purchase Date? 6/18/2008

Box or Individual? Sampler

Smoking Date? 6/21/2008

Packaging? Cello w/ Band

Price (Per Cigar or Box)? $6.25

Where Purchased? Cigar Bid

Country Where Made: Dominican Rep.

Meal/Beverage: Beer and a sandwich

Overall Appearance and Presentation of Cigar (Max. 20 Points) (17 of 20)

Wrapper Color? (3 of 4) Nice brown wrapper with some spots

Consistent Color Within Box? (2 of 2) Nice even color except the small spots

Oily/Dry? (1 of 2) Slightly Oily

Veiny/Smooth? (4 of 5) Some veins

Cap Construction? (1 of 1) Very nice

Packaging? (2 of 2) Nice presentation

Ease of Cutting? (2 of 2) Very easy

Construction (Soft, Hard)? (2 of 2) Med.

Lighting and Burning Properties (Max. 15 Points) (14 of 15)

Even Initial Light? (1 of 1) Very easy initial light - the taper makes it that way

Even Burn? (10 of 11) Initial Even 50% Even 75% Even

Resting Smoke (light & even, smoldering)?

(1 of 1) Nice light resting smoke

Burn Rate (fast, perfect, slow)? (1 of 1) Very nice - perfect burn rate

Ash (Solid, Black, White and Crumbly)? Medium gray ash - holds well

Require Re-Lighting? (1 of 1) No

Construction (Max. 30 Points) (30 of 30)

Draw: Easy all the way down (27 of 27)

Wrapper Stays Intact? (3 of 3) Yes

Taste (Max. 35 Points) (30 of 35)

Light, Medium, Full-Bodied? Mild to medium mild

Bitter, Harsh, Smooth? Smooth and mellow - creamy

Sweet/Salty? Neither

Bland, Vegetal, Spicy, Peppery? Very slight peppery taste

Describe Any Changes in Body or Flavor: This smoke started out with a great tobacco taste and stayed that way the whole time. I smoked it down to the nub and it was just as mild, lightly spicy and creamy at the end.

Aroma (Rich and Smooth and Acrid)? Nice mild aroma.

Finish? A pleasure from start to finish and then for a while afterwards

Comments: I am a big fan of the Petite Perfecto and was a bit apprehensive about moving up to a larger stick - but all the goodness of the smaller one was right there. This blend is a real winner - it is my favorite morning cigar. I have found that, if you put some of them up for six months, they get even more creamery - even buttery. It is a very relaxing smoke and my favorite mild cigar - and that from a herfer who likes La Flor Dominicas!

Total Score / Grade: 91