Pre-light Experience

The Epic Project E San Andrés Gran Ola has a chocolate brown wrapper with a tan E cut out for the band. It features a twisted pigtail cap. On the wrapper, I pick up aromas of spicy leather and cedar, with light hay in the foot.

First Third

My initial draws on the Project E produce sweet cocoa on the retrohale with hints of spice finishing with light leather. The retrohale flavors are immediately balanced and elegant. The Project E is producing generous amounts of smoke before I’m even a few minutes into the cigar. As the cigar starts to settle, the spice intensity begins to build substantially. The flavor profile begins to evoke a Mexican hot chocolate vibe, minus an intense cayenne spice. At the two inch mark, a sweet light plus citrus flavor is introduced. At this stage the post draw leather has evolved into a sweet leather.

Second Third

As the cigar progresses to the second third, some minty vegetal flavors are detectable. Other than the minty vegetal note, there are no other noteworthy profile changes. Once I smoked a half inch into the second third, the cocoa and spices have backed down in intensity to a medium or medium minus strength level. That sweet leather on the post draw drops the sweetness and returns to a straight leather flavor. Once the second third has settled in, there is a rich fresh cedar, and I pick up more fresh minute on the retrohale. At the halfway mark I’m starting to feel the strength of this cigar, as it seems to have snuck up on me. Up until this point I would have described it as medium but I would now qualify it as medium plus.

Final Third

Progressing into the final third, the citrus from the first third becomes more defined at the end of each retrohale. Again, there are no pronounced flavor changes as the Project E moves into the last third. Once the final third has settled in, the fresh cedar from the second third becomes the defining flavor. The post draw leather is all but gone, and is replaced with a sweet cedar combination. At approximately 15 minutes into the final third, spices return to the retrohale which provides a nice balance to the cedar. Several minutes later, cocoa also returns to the retrohale.

Burn

I had a slightly wavy burn, with a flaky ash throughout. The ash held on in 1 1/2 – 2 inch increments. At several points I had a 2 inch ash that would not knock off. The Project E went out just as it moved into the last third.

Draw

Using a v-cut, as I always do, I found the draw to be slightly resistant which I consider to be a perfect draw.

Overall

The Epic Project E San Andrés Gran Ola delivers on nuanced and rich flavors, showcasing what a San Andrés wrapper has to offer. Total smoking time was 2 hours and 44 minutes which is a substantial smoking value.

John McTavish

SCORE

7.40

Cost/Point

$1.42

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Epic Project E San Andrés Gran Ola