Criollo (Cuba) [TI 1376 Pi 405646] is a superb, medium-strength cigar filler.
Knucklehead sent me some samples of Cuban-origin cigar fillers that he has grown and kilned. Since it arrived today, this is the only one I've sampled, so far.
There are named "Criollo" varieties from all over the place. "Criollo" simply means, "native." The seed for this particular Criollo came from Cuba (in 1975, via GRIN). The leaf is dark and beautiful. GRIN observations lists this as Oriental. Sorry, GRIN. That's incorrect.
I rolled a "test" cigar, using three entire Criollo (Cuba) filler leaves (each of which was nearly wrapper grade in quality). It was not intended to be a show piece, and didn't even have a binder--just a mild, Florida Sumatra wrapper, so I could focus on the filler. I didn't bother to trim the wrapper.
Despite having no binder, the stick is nearly rock-solid. The cigar rested for about 10 minutes. Long enough to determine that the battery in my camera needed recharging. The cigar lit easily and evenly. The aroma is dry (not sweet), and somewhat earthy, but does not have that hint of barnyard that is common to most Criollo tobaccos. There are dark, woody undertones, but no leather. No chocolate or cream here. This leaf works well by itself. I expected it to be rather strong, and was surprised that it landed near the middle of the strength spectrum.
The ash shown above refused to just "tap" off. With more aggression, I was able to snap off the ash in a perfectly clean break. The filler ash is a light gray-white, and seems to possess quite a bit of durability (like a whole wheat macaroni). I probably could have smoked 2/3 of the cigar, with the ash intact.
I really love this leaf. (Damn you, Knucklehead! Now I will have to grow it in 2016.) In addition to showcasing the qualities of this leaf, Knucklehead's sample is also testament to the excellent functionality of his new kiln. Yay! I think the Criollo (Cuba) would also go well with Ecuador Sumatra or Shade, as well as with Habano 2000. I'll have to try blending the Criollo (Cuba) with my Vuelta Abajo.
This cigar was a finger burner.
Bob
Knucklehead sent me some samples of Cuban-origin cigar fillers that he has grown and kilned. Since it arrived today, this is the only one I've sampled, so far.
There are named "Criollo" varieties from all over the place. "Criollo" simply means, "native." The seed for this particular Criollo came from Cuba (in 1975, via GRIN). The leaf is dark and beautiful. GRIN observations lists this as Oriental. Sorry, GRIN. That's incorrect.
I rolled a "test" cigar, using three entire Criollo (Cuba) filler leaves (each of which was nearly wrapper grade in quality). It was not intended to be a show piece, and didn't even have a binder--just a mild, Florida Sumatra wrapper, so I could focus on the filler. I didn't bother to trim the wrapper.
Despite having no binder, the stick is nearly rock-solid. The cigar rested for about 10 minutes. Long enough to determine that the battery in my camera needed recharging. The cigar lit easily and evenly. The aroma is dry (not sweet), and somewhat earthy, but does not have that hint of barnyard that is common to most Criollo tobaccos. There are dark, woody undertones, but no leather. No chocolate or cream here. This leaf works well by itself. I expected it to be rather strong, and was surprised that it landed near the middle of the strength spectrum.
The ash shown above refused to just "tap" off. With more aggression, I was able to snap off the ash in a perfectly clean break. The filler ash is a light gray-white, and seems to possess quite a bit of durability (like a whole wheat macaroni). I probably could have smoked 2/3 of the cigar, with the ash intact.
I really love this leaf. (Damn you, Knucklehead! Now I will have to grow it in 2016.) In addition to showcasing the qualities of this leaf, Knucklehead's sample is also testament to the excellent functionality of his new kiln. Yay! I think the Criollo (Cuba) would also go well with Ecuador Sumatra or Shade, as well as with Habano 2000. I'll have to try blending the Criollo (Cuba) with my Vuelta Abajo.
This cigar was a finger burner.
Bob
I hope you take Smokin Harley down to the pond as well?
