This review is for the Gold Label John Calvin from Reformed Cigars. Again, I'll talk about the appearance first. It's said that we eat with our eyes. I believe the same importance can be placed with a cigar. The cap appears to be a double cap with solid seams. The wrapper is a bit veiny but not too much. There are 3 bands on this beautiful cigar. Two are black and silver and the other a white satin type on the foot. The one closest to the cap has the likeness of John Calvin and the smaller one under it with the RC logo. The smell at the foot is heavy with leather. Overall, the appearance, construction and aroma make me excited to smoke this.
The pre-light draw gives more leather with cedar. The initial light gave off an incredible aroma of earth, leather and sweetness. The first draw reveals a discernable amount of cinnamon. The Calvin gives of a great amount of smoke much to my delight. I gave it a retrohale within the first half inch and got some white pepper as well. Very pleasant addition to the previous flavor notes.
Let me also say.that this is a big cigar. My estimate is that its a 6X56. It's packed and firm but not hard to draw through. The ash was firm and intact throughout the first inch. The white pepper becomes slightly more pronounced but is very balanced by the sweet tobacco maduro and cinnamon. Voluminous smoke continues and flows through to the top of the cigar easily. My next retrohale a little less than halfway through revealed note of the leather and toast.
As with all of my reviews, I've been having a bourbon for consistency. However, a chocolatey beer or brown ale such as Newcastle would be great. My personal recommendation would be a black and tan. For a non alcoholic option, chocolate milk or dark cola would be fantastic. I would love this beast as a box press as well.
At the half way point, there is a sweet and oak flavor on the top of the palate. The maduro sweetness is the top note. I've been enjoying continued retrohales as this vitola is light on harshness and big on flavor. There is no heavy after taste in this cigar. You will spend a good hour or more with the John Calvin.
The flavors in this cigar alone make it worth the smoke. Cinnamon, toast, sweet tobacco, leather, charred oak and a ton of smoke make this a great occasion smoke. Share it or not, this is a top tier smoke with a long run. No mistake about that.
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