Man O' War Side Project Skull Crusher Review

[Laynard]

11/26/2014

Cigar: Man O’ War Side Project Skull Crusher
Size: Salomon, 5.7”x56
MSRP: $9.00
Strength: Full
Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro
Origin: Nicaragua

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/Laynard/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/AB8773AD-3D2D-4842-9F69-6B1433E08771.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Laynard/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/AB8773AD-3D2D-4842-9F69-6B1433E08771.jpg.html)

Prelight: This is another interesting looking cigar from the Side Projects line of AJ’s Man O’ War brand. A short salomon shape with a closed foot. And not just excess wrapper folded over the foot; they actually put a cap on the foot. I’m not really sure what to do with this…clip it or just fire away? The wrapper is smooth and oily, and has a delicious aroma that is an amalgam of floral cedar and sweet chocolate. I can’t get a cold draw assessment, because I am opting to just light up the foot as is.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/Laynard/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/6F66C066-E46B-40E0-98E4-ABA4265BAA2C.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Laynard/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/6F66C066-E46B-40E0-98E4-ABA4265BAA2C.jpg.html)

1/3: The foot toasts and lights easily. I taste heavy cream almost immediately. There seems to be a little wood and baking spices in the background, but the cream is dominant and delicious. The baking spices evolve into black pepper and the first third comes to an end with pepper, cream, and subtle wood.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/Laynard/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/D010C338-E771-4789-B27C-7EE7948EAC00.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Laynard/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/D010C338-E771-4789-B27C-7EE7948EAC00.jpg.html)

2/3: The second third sees a radical shift in flavors, as the wood takes over, the cream disappears and the pepper reminds me of steak seasoning. The burn is wavy, but tends to correct itself in a timely manner. Then, the wood flavor, which previously was reminiscent of cedar, changes to more of an oakiness.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/Laynard/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/F75DFF3B-E250-42D0-BC4E-B7C5DA3DDD6B.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Laynard/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/F75DFF3B-E250-42D0-BC4E-B7C5DA3DDD6B.jpg.html)

3/3: The final third is a disappointment. Bitter grass and oak. The burn isn’t hot, but the flavors are not desirable. Unlike other Man O’ Wars, I do not nub this one.

Overall: The awesomeness of the first third makes the rest of the cigar a bitter disappointment, literally. The construction was OK, but not flawless. I would rather pick any other Man O’ War than this one.

[defetis]

11/26/2014

Cigar: Man O’ War Side Project Skull Crusher
Size: Salomon, 5.7”x56
MSRP: $9.00
Strength: Full
Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro
Origin: Nicaragua

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/Laynard/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/AB8773AD-3D2D-4842-9F69-6B1433E08771.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Laynard/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/AB8773AD-3D2D-4842-9F69-6B1433E08771.jpg.html)

Prelight: This is another interesting looking cigar from the Side Projects line of AJ’s Man O’ War brand. A short salomon shape with a closed foot. And not just excess wrapper folded over the foot; they actually put a cap on the foot. I’m not really sure what to do with this…clip it or just fire away? The wrapper is smooth and oily, and has a delicious aroma that is an amalgam of floral cedar and sweet chocolate. I can’t get a cold draw assessment, because I am opting to just light up the foot as is.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/Laynard/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/6F66C066-E46B-40E0-98E4-ABA4265BAA2C.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Laynard/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/6F66C066-E46B-40E0-98E4-ABA4265BAA2C.jpg.html)

1/3: The foot toasts and lights easily. I taste heavy cream almost immediately. There seems to be a little wood and baking spices in the background, but the cream is dominant and delicious. The baking spices evolve into black pepper and the first third comes to an end with pepper, cream, and subtle wood.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/Laynard/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/D010C338-E771-4789-B27C-7EE7948EAC00.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Laynard/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/D010C338-E771-4789-B27C-7EE7948EAC00.jpg.html)

2/3: The second third sees a radical shift in flavors, as the wood takes over, the cream disappears and the pepper reminds me of steak seasoning. The burn is wavy, but tends to correct itself in a timely manner. Then, the wood flavor, which previously was reminiscent of cedar, changes to more of an oakiness.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/Laynard/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/F75DFF3B-E250-42D0-BC4E-B7C5DA3DDD6B.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Laynard/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/F75DFF3B-E250-42D0-BC4E-B7C5DA3DDD6B.jpg.html)

3/3: The final third is a disappointment. Bitter grass and oak. The burn isn’t hot, but the flavors are not desirable. Unlike other Man O’ Wars, I do not nub this one.

Overall: The awesomeness of the first third makes the rest of the cigar a bitter disappointment, literally. The construction was OK, but not flawless. I would rather pick any other Man O’ War than this one.


Hey did you find an easy way to copy and paste all your reviews sir? I don't care enough to hunt down all mine unless thats all i got to do

[Laynard]

Hey did you find an easy way to copy and paste all your reviews sir? I don't care enough to hunt down all mine unless thats all i got to do

I saved almost all of them on MSWord and the pics on Photobucket. There are a few I'll have to redo to get the awards, but it's only like two or three. The cached site provided me nearly nothing I didn't already have.

[defetis]

I saved almost all of them on MSWord and the pics on Photobucket. There are a few I'll have to redo to get the awards, but it's only like two or three. The cached site provided me nearly nothing I didn't already have.

ya the cached site seemed like too much work for me. Kudos to you for being smart saving your work. Enjoy the review awards I still think you and I have the same tastes so I pay close attention to your reviews

[Jordan23]

I hate when cigars take off like that only to disappoint. That's why I don't get how some reviewers can only smoke an inch or two.

Thanks for the review. Excellent as usual.