Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is a dull light brown and has a decent number of slightly raised veins. The seams are smooth but slightly visible just due to the light color of the wrapper. The head is finished off with a well applied triple cap. There are two bands, the first is the traditional God of Fire design while the secondary strip band denotes that it is by Carlito and has the year 2007 on it. The aroma from the wrapper is a mix of hay and barnyard funkiness while the foot gives an equal mix of wood and gingerbread. The pre-light draw brings an aged wood note.

First Third

The cigar begins with aged wood, some nuttiness along with a decent amount of black pepper on the finish. At a half inch in, some cream pairs up with the aged wood and nuttiness as the black pepper mellows slightly. At an inch in, the nuttiness goes away as the aged and creamy wood remain up front with the support of the black pepper. The retrohale carries the nuttiness up front with the creamy wood is in the background. At an inch and a quarter, a mild baking spice enters the profile as the black pepper continues to mellow. At an inch and a half, some nuttiness returns to the profile which pairs with the baking spice to almost create a cinnamon covered nut flavor along with the aged, creamy wood up front. As the third comes to a close, the retrohale is now an equal mix of nuttiness and aged wood. The strength in this third started at slightly above medium but settled in at slightly below medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the aged and creamy wood remains up front with a slight nuttiness behind it and a very mellow black pepper while the baking spice has left the profile. At three quarters of an inch in, the nuttiness drops out of the profile and the retrohale while the aged and creamy wood is what is left along with a very mild black pepper. At an inch and a quarter, a slight char joins the wood while the cream remains at the same level. The retrohale continues with the aged and creamy wood. As the third comes to a close, the charred wood and cream remain. The strength in this third bumped up to right at medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the cream begins to ramp up to go along with the charred wood which is now more defined as oak. At a half inch in, the charred oak and cream are becoming even fuller. At an inch in, the char increases while the cream decreases bringing a little bitterness to the profile. As the cigar comes to a close, the char is up front ahead of the oak while a bit of cream remains. The strength in this third bumped up to slightly above medium.

Burn

The burn was perfect as it was razor sharp the entire way. The ash held on in inch and a half increments.

Draw

The draw was also perfect as it had just the right amount of resistance that I prefer.

Overall

This is a cigar I’ve had in the humidor for just over six years and it has aged wonderfully. The first third was the most complex as it brought aged wood, nuttiness, cream and some black pepper as well as baking spice. Each third became less complex as some of the flavors dropped out of the profile. The construction was perfect and allowed me to just sit back and enjoy the flavors the cigar provided. If you’ve had some of these sitting in the humidor, it’s time to grab one to enjoy. I have another one left and I’m looking forward to the time I can reach for it and do this again.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

7.33

Cost/Point

$3.14

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: God of Fire by Carlito Churchill