DECEMBER 19, 2021 - PHIL KURUT, COMEDY - CIGARS - MUSIC
BLACK LABEL TRADING CO. VIATICUM TORO BP (6 x 48)
WRAPPER: ECUADORIAN MADURO
BINDER: HONDURAS
FILLER: NICARAGUA, HONDURAS
An impeccable dark brown wrapper and an excellent cap introduce the Viaticum to my oculus uterque. In case you’re wondering, that’s the scientific name for eyes. Also, I found that out 15 seconds prior to typing it. Anyway.
Raisin, prune, dirt, dark chocolate, and some spice find their way to my nose from the foot and wrapper. I probably should have looked up the scientific name for nose for continuity, but I lost interest.
A perfect draw with a moderate smoke output begins our journey. Kind of sounds like Gandalf. He’s from Lord of the Rings. I only saw the movies, so easy on the judgment. For those judging me for not reading the books, I don’t want to.
So far, the Viaticum brings some earth and spice, both fairly understated. Spoke too soon. The smoke output kicks up and so does the spice, now resting heavy on the tongue and palate. Middleweight class heavy.
Cherry knocks gently but loses the battle to spice. Chocolate comes along in a few pulls, but spice leaves no room at the table. Jerk. Early on here spice only shares any substantial room with dark, heavy earth.
Plumes of smoke now fill the air, offering more sweetness there, primarily by way of chocolate. Good chocolate too. That’d be nice to taste.
Chocolate and cherry begin leading with a solid one-two punch to knock some of spice’s arrogance down a notch. A somewhat artifIcial chocolate joins spice on the finish now, replacing spice’s trusted confidant, dark, heavy earth. Well played. But, frankly, the Viaticum has yet to move much, playing it straight and fairly consistent. No complaints but a bit uneventful. Excellent construction.
A combination of raspberry and blueberry join in, giving me a slight backhand for labeling this an uneventful journey. Noted. At the risk of sounding nutty, pun intended, coconut jumps in the ring, looking around for a friend while simultaneously scaring away the conjoined berry twins and, apparently, the solidity of the ash and burn. We’re getting a little flaky and wobbly here, buds. Oh, and coffee arrives. Okay, so I was a little off on uneventful. Settle down.
The wobbling burn requires assistance twice, and the journey winds down with dark chocolate and coffee receiving limping support from a defeated spice. Berries and coconut have passed. A moment of silence please.
SMOKE TIME: 1 hr. 29 mins.
RATING: 2.75 / 4 - I’m still not reading Lord of the Rings.
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