5 Vegas Gold Double Nickel (box-pressed Gordo)

[Zeede]

Here we have another cigar that I got off CBid. The Double Nickel really should be called the Quadruple Nickel, because here are the dimensions:

5.5" x 55 rg (Paired with Zaya 12 year rum)

Clever, right? This is also the only box-pressed cigar in the blend. Let's see how it goes!

Before the flame

The wrapper is has no visible seams and no prominent veins, although there is a little discoloration on the cap and on the bottom third of the wrapper. The pre-light draw yields notes of hay, spice and a sweetness. The draw is very easy.

First third

Cream, nut and sweet are the dominant notes right out of the gate. Good smoke production. I also taste a hint of smokiness. Is it that the sweetness and smokiness are actually like a burnt sugar/caramel? Hmm...nope, the smokiness is independent of the sweetness. The spiciness on the retrohale is light-medium. I also note that the tastes really coat my mouth. 1" in and there starts to be a light lingering spiciness in my mouth.

Second third

Halfway through the cigar, the spiciness on the retrohale kicks up to a solid medium. Cream, nut, sweetness and the smokiness continue to prevail.

Final third

Nothing new here.

Total burn time: 100 minutes

Final notes

I haven't had too many box-pressed cigars, and this is definitely the largest one. It was interesting in that the corners tended to lag behind, in terms of the wrapper combustion. This is also the only vitola of 5 Vegas Gold where I got the smoky notes (I've tried three others, the Torpedo, Toro and Bullion (Gordo) and none of them had any smokiness). I also really enjoyed having the rum to sip very slowly, as a palate refresher.

[rodwha]

Did you enjoy it more over the others from that line?

What gauge do you generally prefer? Did you feel 55 was a little too big?

[Zeede]

Honestly they've all been good. The 55 rg wasn't an issue, but a 55 rg box-pressed cigar was interesting, in terms of the mouth feel. The Double Nickel was also the shortest one for me so far, at 1h 40m, as opposed to two hours for the others.

For me, at this point, I would not favor any of the vitolas over the other. The Toro is the cheapest of the bunch, in terms of the price of a box, so maybe I'd lean that way. Or you could just go with whichever is closing the soonest on CBid, or gives you the best price per cigar on CBid.

[Bruck]

Tnx for the review. I always keep some 5 Vegas golds of various vitolae in my modest collection, but haven't tried the box pressed yet.