Our friend Scott over at whisgarsblog recently reviewed the Ave Maria St George Belicoso. Here is what he had to say:
“There are many things in life that will catch your eye, things we ‘must look’, admire or lust for; the Lamborghini that just overtook me, the woman in red from the matrix…I think you catch my drift. Well Gents, I was faced with one of these moments when I discovered Ave Maria; ever heard of it? And before you get too far ahead of yourself, it’s not the name of mysterious and beautiful Italian woman.
What is it then you ask? Well it’s better, it’s a manufacturer of cigars – The Ave Maria St George Belicoso. The second I laid eyes on this cigar I knew I had to have it; I’d never heard of it, seen it or knew it existed until the exceedingly elaborate label caught my eye. Don’t brand me a plebe just yet, I don’t smoke labels, I smoke cigars, admittedly this label really does attract ones attention.
Looking past the Knight Templar guarding this cigar I was introduced to one of the smoothest, finest looking wrappers I think I have ever seen on a cigar. It was oily polished like a fine piece of timber furniture and finished like one too; not a single defect, lump, bump or significant vein to be seen. Just by appearance this cigar was a calibre of that comparable with a Lamborghini, but well within reach.
I gazed upon this magnificently constructed Belicoso for weeks in the humidor. I found myself almost religiously inspecting and sniffing it. There may have even been a few sneaky strokes thrown in there, but with ruthless self-restraint I kept putting it back in. Eventually I elected to ask it out on a date, and being the charming, handsome gentleman that I am, the cigar eagerly accepted.
Getting the show on the road started with a cold draw; a greeting kiss on the first date maybe? A peck on the cheek…?
This particular cigar is called St George…. So no, not a god damn kiss, I shook his hand and this is no longer a date; it’s a professional meeting.
It wasn’t long that George made himself seem like a professional too, the cold draw offered notes of dried hay, tobacco, coffee and wood. Good way to start a meeting off if you ask me.
Flavours on the first light consisted of mellow coffee, wood, leather with a subtle spicy tingle hiding in the background. Body would be a light to medium, and the flavours were exceedingly smooth. Smoke production was excellent with good clouds of semi-thick average moisture content smoke.
As the cigar smoked on through the thirds no significant addition of flavours arose, the existing flavours were constant and ever-changing, disappearing and re-appearing with every draw. The body of this stick increased to near full as the cigar progressed, but at no time did it become overpowering or sharp. In fact, the smooth character offered by this cigar existed from start to finish and never faltered.
This cigar is a delicate smoke which can change based on the rate at which you smoke it, it comes with a throttle I suppose; open it up to increase excitement.
Throughout the meeting with this cigar my attention never deviated, the complexity of this cigar was amazing, the flavours of wood, coffee, spice, sweetness and leather melded together in perfect synergy to deliver one of the most pleasurable smoking experiences I have ever had.
Coupled with its flawless appearance, perfect burn and delicious aroma of wood and toast this cigar throughout its considerable course was more captivating than the climax of a Wilbur Smith book.
“There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart – Pursue these”
The measure this quote asks us to use is our heart (or in the case of cigars, our senses) If it catches the attention of these, then it is worthy of pursuit. This sums up my experience of Ave Maria cigars and if I could ever recommend a cigar to someone, it would wholeheartedly be an Ave Maria. To date this has been THE best cigar I have ever smoked. You simply have to try at least one of these, or forever regret not knowing what you missed out on…
Pairing Notes:
In pairing with this cigar, I’ve elected to keep it quite general. Something slightly sweet and sharp with minimal peat. Anything from Glenfiddich or Chivas regal will suffice. I experienced this cigar with Chivas 18 and it was brilliant; a quick sharp finishing whisky to meld with the long finish of a fuller bodied cigar.
I’m drooling right now…….
In Conclusion:
Look: Smooth polished and perfect like a brand new piece of timber furniture
Feel: With this stick in hand you know you’re holding a masterpiece, not a lump, bump or soft spot could be found.
Taste: The flavours offered by this stick were magical; leather, wood, espresso, sugar, toast.
Burn: Textbook perfect.
For the Detailed Review Visit my Blog
http://whisgars.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/ave-maria-st-george-belicoso-cigar.html“
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