Pre-light Experience

The Camacho Face-Off by Litto Gomez has a pale, rough, sandpaper like medium brown wrapper. Veins are pressed fairly well and seams tight. The feel of the bunching and roll is great as there is a nice uniformed give. The head is finished off with a thick triple cap. Pre-light wrapper aroma gives flowery perfume and aged cedar. Foot aroma tells dry white pepper spice, sweet natural tobacco and dried nuts. Cold draw tells slight musk and cardboard.

First Third

The first thirds smoking experience is very light and soft in flavors. Dominant notes of dry cardboard, hay, airy buttered bread, dry nuts and musk. Through the nose, musk, dry nuts, and airy buttery bread. The finish is incredibly short, creating namely a light airy bread and musk. What I find interesting is the complete lack of spice in the cigar. Then again, perhaps 13 years of age will do that to a cigar. In terms of body and strength, medium minus and medium, respectively.

Second Third

The second third mirrors the first third. Still very light and soft notes of dry cardboard, hay, airy buttered bread, dry nuts and musk. Through the retrohale, musk, dry nuts and airy buttery bread. The finish still very short, with notes of light airy bread and musk. Body and strength continues to be medium minus and medium, respectively.

Final Third

The last third thankfully increases in body and intensity within some of the flavors. The bread note is fuller, compounded by a sweet creaminess. There is also a slight dry white pepper spice detected within the retrohale, providing a much needed additional dimension to the profile. Still, notes of dry cardboard, hay, dry nuts and musk. The retrohale (in addition to the white pepper) is still full of musk, dry nuts and airy buttery bread. The finish continues to he short with notes of light airy bread and musk. Within the entire last third, body increases to a solid medium, and strength stays at medium.

Burn

The burn in terms of burn line and ash was almost picture perfect. Razor sharp burn line and solid ashes averaging 1.5 inch ash marks. The only downside to the burn performance was the burn time. I only clocked in at 59 total smoking minutes for this essentially “robusto extra.” Roughly 30 minutes earlier than anticipated.

Draw

The draw was pure perfection. Just the right amount of resistance for my liking.

Overall

Fans of hard to find cigars rejoice! This cigar has clearly passed its prime. In other words, the cigar aged out. The flavors were overall too light and airy. And the dominant hay and musk quickly became mundane and one dimensional. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the cigar smoked like upon release as this is the only cigar gifted to me by a great BOTL. If you have any of these, perhaps just leave it in the humidor to admire it.

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

4.73

Cost/Point

N/A

Scoring System