Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is a medium brown with a couple of large veins that carry a slightly lighter color to them. The seams are smooth but easily visible due to the vein locations. The head is finished off with a slightly tilted triple cap. The band is the standard Camacho band of the time but with an American flag in the background. The aroma from the wrapper is a distinct cedar which can be expected from sitting in a cedar coffin for twelve years. The foot aroma is a mix of cedar and leather. The pre-light draw is also a mix of cedar and leather.

First Third

The cigar begins with a mellow mix of cedar and cream. At a half inch in, the flavors become a bit fuller. At the one inch mark, some black pepper joins the profile of creamy cedar. The retrohale carries this same mix of flavors. At an inch and a half, the flavors are all mixing together very well. As the third comes to a close, the mix of creamy cedar and pepper is continuing to work well. The strength in this third was slightly below medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the mix of flavors is pretty smooth and enjoyable. Still a combination of cedar, cream and black pepper with a retrohale that has a slightly fuller representation of the same combination. At a half inch in, the pepper is really only present on the finish and some slight bitterness has joined in with the creamy cedar. At an inch and a quarter, the profile continues pretty much the same with primarily creamy cedar and some slight bitterness in the background. The strength in this third was right at medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, some mustiness joins the mix of creamy cedar and slight bitterness. At a quarter inch in, the cedar transitions to a general wood note with some char and the creaminess and mustiness have gone away while some bitterness remains. At an inch in, some nuttiness is able to peek out through the charred wood and bitterness. This is the profile the cigar finishes with. The strength in this third was slightly above medium.

Burn

The burn line was razor sharp the entire way. Ashes held on in slightly more than one inch increments.

Draw

The draw was absolutely perfect with just the right amount of resistance that I prefer.

Overall

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this twelve year old cigar, but I was a bit surprised that it still carried a profile with distinct flavor. Primarily creamy cedar with some black pepper, it was pretty good through the first two thirds. The final third fell off a bit with charred wood and bitterness. Construction was absolutely perfect which was a nice plus. I would say, if you have any of these kicking around your humidor, you should probably smoke them now as I don’t see them improving much more and you may miss out on a flavorful profile. This isn’t something to seek out as it is probably past its prime, but it was an enjoyable experience on the 4th of July for me.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

7.00

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Camacho Liberty 2005