5 Vegas Series 'A' Atomic Cigar Review

I originally tried one of these cigars back in the beginning of November 2012 right when I got them and didn't like the cigar very much, maybe I was expecting better characteristics from it in comparison to all the Cubans and finer brands I had enjoyed that month. I had gifted a handful away and had one more left, so here I am puffing away at it before dinner out.





Maybe two months of rest did the cigar some good or maybe it was the mood or timing. But I enjoyed it a little bit more this time but had some of the same characteristics from two months ago.





Vitola: Robusto Gordo (4.5" x 54RG)
Price: I managed to grab my cigars at $2 a stick but read they can go for $3-$4

Wrapper: Costa Rican (Maduro)
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran

Aged in Humidor: 2 months


Appearance and Construction:

Very presentable packaging, but I am not a marketable person. Presentation means very little if the material inside of the book's cover is bland. The band is golden with black and white tones. There is a thin piece of cedar wrapped on the foot of the cigar. The wrapper is toothy and deep dark, true Maduro. The cap blends right into the body like a fat reminder of R2D2's (from Star Wars) head.

Draw: Smooth, just right
Aroma: When burning it smells like grilled meat or charred meat, not strong, you'll have to bring it close to the nose
Ash: Dark grey and holds an ashy cone that falls right on end of 1st third and doesn't develop long afterwards
Fumes: Somewhere in the middle of light and medium
Burn: Even throughout
Boldness: Very
Harshness: 3 short spots throughout
Strength: Medium
Complexity: Not much

Tasting Notes:

The wrapper gives off a lightly sweet cinnamony note on hay incorporating a dark chocolate earthy scent. The cold draw is of earthy hay. I remember the first one I smoked to have very dark notes, as a matter fact it started with a bit of bitterness and tangy leather. This one initially gave off dark earthy notes followed by the following: light hints of sweet earthy spice, very little hints of coffee, sweet nice leather (not the harsh kind), liquorice, cocoa hit once and never appeared again in the first third. Just because I mentioned subtle changes the cigar is not very complex.

The second half evolves only slightly composing of the following interchanging or mixed nuances of: hints of tobacco, hints of coffee, hints of toffee, occasional sweet leather but mostly sweet yet dark earthy notes.

The final third stays the same composing of dark earthy notes but still includes tang, not spice. There's a natural cocoa nuance (not Dutch cocoa) one time appearance and then never again. Several notes of sweet leather hit and basically earthy, coffee, dark notes.

Basically if you like a Maduro this is for you: bold, deep, dark and strong notes but I didn't find it strong. In terms of complexity not much so even though my taste buds sensed the subtle changes here and there throughout the portions of the cigar. In terms of harshness it's all about one's taste, I like dark notes that aren't harsh. I did find three minor points of harshness but they were not extensive. I liked this cigar. Smoke time is short, only an hour and a half. It is great for the price. I am rating it a 88 out of 100.