Oliveros Aging Room Habano Toro– Small Batch

First Impressions:

Beautiful wrapper; almost like a burled walnut with a medium brown marked with spots and swirls of darker shades. Solid construction, well capped and only the smallest of veins are present. There wasn’t a soft spot on the stick.

Pre-light

I get the strong smells of rich tobacco, thick leather, cocoa and a hint of sweetness. The smell was so rich I was already smiling.

1^st 1/3rd

It features intense leather and tobacco flavors on top of a base woodsy undertone. Slight but pronounced spice; not the long lasting, burn your tongue type, more of a spice that just announces it is here and then leaves just as quickly. The Aging Room has some kick. It’s not one for personal space at all; it is up in your face. If it was talking, you’d have spittle and humidity from how up close and personal it is. It is literally raining flavors underneath but the richness from the heavy leather and tobacco are allowing these other flavors to hide beneath them. I can taste the slightest sweetness from caramel and a floral gust will sneak in now and then.

2^nd 1/3^rd  

The woodsy base has brought its brother cedar by to say hello. The leather is now more of a base and the rich tobacco is still strong up front with a slight tenderness in comparison to it’s introduction at first light. The intriguing spice is all but gone on each puff but replaced by a mild sweetness that seems to be growing. As the sweetness grew, it was as if a hint of whisky was breaking through. Very subtle but it was definitely there. Like the bottom of a whiskey & 7 where the ice had melted and mellowed its flavors. The stick is starting to mellow out all around. The caramel is becoming more prevalent and the floral notes are changing though the sweetness is still there. I would say it’s now a medium but I imagine it’s only due to my palate becoming accustomed to getting slapped around by the two strong flavors early on.

So far this is a very entertaining stick! First ash dropped off when it was about 1 ¾-2” long.

Final 3^rd

The stick has mellowed out quite a bit. The caramel sweetness is incredibly rich at this point. I’m ready to grab some ice cream and nuts to make a sundae! Sweetness and cedar are jumping around with other flavors like pop corn, French toast and even hints of what could only be explained as a sweet beef jerky. Never in my life would I expect to explain a cigar with that flavor but it seems as accurate as I can get. By jumping; I mean the flavors really seem to bounce in and out. There are also hints of milk chocolate, coffee and tea occasionally paying visit. The leather and tobacco had become slight undertones but the farther down the stick I get, about a 1.5” left at this moment, they seem to be gaining their strength and moving to the front again. By the end, the intriguing spice made a return visit as well. This stick has no comprehension of complacent! At the end I had a few touch ups and there was one re-light required.

Conclusion:

This is one of the most complex sticks I’ve ever had the pleasure of burning. I agree with the high ratings this stick is receiving (94, 92, 91) and recommend it to all the siblings of the leaf that enjoy a strong smoke with lots of character. I know these will be a staple in my humidor and I have little doubt that if you enjoy a complex smoke at a great price, they will be in your humidor as well.