We've been smoking these intermittently ever since, mainly because they're handed out left and right at so many cigar dinners---and with good reason. They're mild enough for the occasional smoker, but just interesting enough not to bore the shit out of experienced aficionados.
However, every once in awhile we get one that surprises us with its complexity. It's sort of a crap shoot, and not necessarily due to manufacturing inconsistency. It all seems to come down to that wrapper leaf, and like all agricultural products, there's subtle natural variations. If the wrapper tends toward the tan side, chances are you're going to get an ordinary Reserva Real. If it skews just a little darker, more of a chestnut hue, you're in for a treat.
The "off" notes quickly dissipated and we were left with a pleasant medium-bodied cigar that's perfect for folks taking the next step up from something like a Macanudo. Unfortunately, this batch we smoked was more the "ordinary" Reserva Real....woody, with notes of grass and hay, a little light spice and a bready, yeasty mouth feel. Burn was pretty good but the ash was flaky. The draw was a teeny bit tight.
Bummer. Okay, so this wasn't one of the better Reserva Reals we've smoked, but it was a nice half-hour diversion after a light lunch. And, heck, we've smoked Davidoffs that cost three times as much that weren't as good. So, for the right person and the right time, we recommend it...a nice, pleasant coffee break cigar that looks good and smokes well enough.
THE DETAILS 5.5x44 Dominican Republic W: Ecuador B: Nicaragua F: DR, Nicaragan $6.38 | THE VERDICT CLASSIC EXCELLENT VERY GOOD GOOD ---------------------- SMOKE/HOLD |