JULY 13, 2021 - PHIL KURUT, COMEDY - CIGARS - MUSIC
LA FLOR DOMINICANA ANDALUSIAN BULL (6 1/2 x 52-64)
WRAPPER: ECUADORIAN COROJO
BINDER: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
FILLER: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
For starters, I realize I’m way behind in getting my hands on and doing a review for this cigar. Frankly, I just review what I feel like reviewing when I feel like reviewing it. If I feel like something new, cool. If I feel like something that’s been around for a while, cool. I get to cigars as I get to them. No rush for me.
Visually, the Bull is a beast…or a bull. Whatever. I dig the band too.
A boatload of sweet, juicy raisin hits my nose when I take a sniff off the foot and wrapper. Some spice gets my nostrils tingling. Interested to see what the Bull has in store.
A fairly good draw gets things moving along with the Bull. The first few puffs don’t give me much aside from a faint hint of earth with some bitterness setting in as I blow out the smoke.
The retrohale brings some earth, a bit darker than the draw, and there’s just a hint of raisin.
The finish starts with some dark, bitter earth, smooths out, then throws a punch of spice at the back of my palate.
The Bull lumbers along a bit mild so far.
Wood, earth, toastiness, and a touch of sweetness work together off the foot smoke. That’s nice.
Slow pulls seem to get the best out of the draw as I make my way through the first third. Primarily, the Bull leads with a mild earth and a little bitterness on the tongue. Raisin tends to peek in during most pulls, but it takes a backseat to an already fairly slow and flat drive.
I’ve had a handful of LFDs, and they never seem to hit my palate the way they do others. I respect the work they put in, but they never excite me. Slightly dark earth continues to dominate the retrohale in a passive way. Passive dominance? Sure.
A little bit of earth and raisin on the finish.
The first third leaves me a little bored.
Silver lining. The draw and smoke output are good. Smoke pours off the foot. Aside from some Eddie Munster action, the burn has been very good. No assistance needed.
Well, other than an occasional poke of creamy milk chocolate and toastiness, the Bull continues to bring mild earth and raisin here in the second third. The bitterness is gone, so there’s that.
Earth and a very watered down coffee blow out of my nose. Coffee bean, leather, and raisin represent the finish as best they can.
Underwhelming.
The only thing worse than smoking a boring cigar is smoking a big boring cigar. It’s like sitting through a daylong tee-ball tournament. Just give the kids their snow cones and candy bars, and let’s get out of here. Life decisions are being questioned. Dang it.
The final third brings in an undefined fruit to replace the raisin, a slightly sweetened bread arrives, and earth clings to the outer rim of its new friends.
Earth and leather hold up the retrohale, exiting with a good helping of harshness. Black pepper infrequently taps the nose hairs like an absent father who sends a birthday card from time to time…often to the wrong address and a few days late.
Bitter leather stands alone in the finish, and not only does it stand, it plants its feet firmly until the next puff. Too firmly.
Okay, so the Andalusian Bull wasn’t much of a bull, but the draw and burn were very good. See, everybody is kind of pretty.
If you love this cigar, God bless ya’.
SMOKE TIME: 2 hrs. 35 mins.
RATING: 2 / 4 - This bull wasn't charging.
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