Onyx Reserve
Here we are once again for another Monday review. Up this week is an Onyx Reserve in the Mini Belicoso size (52 x 5.00). It features a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper, Dominican Binder and a three country blended filler which includes tobacco from, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Peru.
The wrapper of this stick is blotchy and a mixture of Dark and Light brown shades. The surface is covered in small oily spots that give it a rough texture. When pinched, I found the stick to feel fairly decent. The stick was not overly firm and did not have any spongy spots.
After the inspection I clipped the torpedo shaped cap and got down to business. The pre light draw was decent with little resistance. Once I felt satisfied with the draw I began to toast and light the foot. It took a little work to get the stick completely lit, but after a minute or so, I had things burning nice and even.
Throughout the first third of the stick, the draw was good but produced little smoke. The body was in the medium range while the finish was mildly dry and short on the palate. The base flavor was that of your typical Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro, delivering a mild nutty flavor with tones of coffee.
As I worked my way deeper into the stick, I found the burn to be slow and even. The ash was firm and mostly light in color, but had specks of black throughout. The room aroma was medium and smelled of rich tobacco. The mild nutty flavors were fading and were replaced by woody tones. These flavors blended well with the coffee base and made for a decent smoke.
After about a half hour, I reached the final third of my Onyx Reserve. The woody flavor was fading and were replaced by a harsh metallic flavor. The finish was becoming creamy and rich while the body picked up and reached the fuller side of medium to full. The volume of smoke also picked up. I was now getting mouthfuls of smoke, but in return was getting a cigar that became very easy to overheat.
By the time the stick was and inch and a half long, the harsh metallic flavor became too much and I was forced to put out the stick prematurely. Overall I think that this cigar is average at best. It seemed to be missing that extra something that tips a cigar over the edge of just being a run of the mill smoke.
In my experience with this stick, I would not turn it down if one was offered to me or if I found one buried deep in the humidor, but I would not go out seeking another.
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- Perdomo Reserve Champagne
- Perdomo Reserve - Cameroon
- Jericho by Camacho
- Tampa Sweetheart No. 50
- Perdomo Fresco
Filed under: Stogie Reviews, Videos
Walt,
Thanks for another great review.
About ten years ago, the Onyx was one of my go-to smokes, with a consistent (and enjoyable) bittersweet chocolate flavor. But when I tried another one a few months ago, it was nothing like the Onyx I remembered and loved. I seem to recall reading that the manufacturer changed the blend, substituting the Peruvian leaf for the (I think) touch of Mexican tobacco in the original, making the smoke harsh and too powerful for my taste.
If you or any of your readers could shed some light on this, I’d be most grateful.
Steve
Walt,
You mentioned Punch in your review… another really great value smoke is the Punch Elite EMS… these can be had for under $38 a box of 25 from JR cigars… they are sort of a Corona gorda, 5.25 x 45… with a sun grown wrapper… try them out if you like Punch.
Walt,
Nice review. I think you got lucky. The last one of these I smoked was a big disappointment. The draw was so bad I got tried of fighting with it about 1/2 way through. The flavor profile was pretty good but it was just too much work to smoke. I don’t think I’ll buy another one any time soon.
You guys put my thoughts into words. In my opinion, the main problem is the draw. I’ve had a couple of these and they have all had a less than satisfactory draw. I also noticed a typical maduro nutty flavor, but I was not overly impressed by it. I would have to say that Onyx is something to try, but don’t set your hopes high.
I have to say that the MINI BELICOSO is one of the best cigars for the price tag. And I…unlike Walt, do seek them out regularly.
I smoke one of these about once per month and I believe the “metallic” taste people are sensing is really more of a carbon-sort-of-thing that reminds me of soda bubbles up my nose. Maybe it’s why this cigar goes so great with an old-style root beer. I think the carbon-effect is somehow connected to the white-pepper (some say ‘chemical’) note common in Connecticut wrappers.
I’m not saying this is a great cigar, but for the $ it’s a good value.