Sons of Anarchy fresh and aged

So I am usually pretty solid about aging my cigars once I get them. 3 months is pretty much the minimum for me but I had heard good things for this stick from the moment they came out and I like Black Crown cigars as an everyday inexpensive ($5 or less) smoke.

Fresh the smoke was not dissappointing but not a roaring success either. These are the robusto whatever they call it instead of robusto I cannot remember. Pre light the wrapper is dark and evenly veined with a dull oily appearance. Aroma and draw are even and heavy with tobacco and leather. After lighting it the same leather and tobacco mix with a somewhat strong black pepper essence. The leather stayed through the whole smoke and became stronger towards the end almost to an overpowering level. The tobacco gradually became an earthy or even grassy note and the pepper became milder with hints of the flavor of cayenne without the heat. As I finished this I noticed a slight bitter finish but all in all not bad since the bitter didn't start to develop till the last inch. Smoking duration was about 55 minutes, the burn was mostly even and the ash sturdy. The smoke I would say is medium and tart, the flavor I would say is a strong medium.

7 months aging has allowed this cigar to mature nicely. Appearance didn't change much if at all. Aroma and draw pre light are as well much the same. The leather flavor/aroma is a little milder. There is now a light cedar note to the cigar and the pepper is now noticeable pre light. The smoke is still medium and maybe crisp is a better word to describe its body. The flavor is still a strong medium and starts out right away with the cayenne pepper flavor again without much heat so a very pleasant in my opinion flavor. The leather and tobacco flavor again were present throughout but not overwhelming. They were instead complimentary to each other and enhanced the earthiness that arrives at about the half way point. In the final third a very light cocoa or espresso was present. I couldn't pinpoint which as it was very subtle but was definitely one of the two and went well with my coffee.

Closing notes: These cigars are not overly complex on the flavor wheel and the retro-hale doesn't reveal much different. If you are a light beer or American beer drinker with your cigars do yourself a favor go get a craft beer to go with these. (not Sun King too sweet) A good bourbon or true dark rum or a strong coffee will pair very well with these. Scotch or Cognac may be too strong and take away from the subtle flavors but for a $5 stick I think these are a winner. Very deserving of a test if you haven't yet.