The first third brings an excellent, immediate richness and array of miscellaneous flavors.  The pepper has lightened but still present – bringing to mind more of a white pepper than a harsher black varietal.  Additionally, cinnamon blends into the palate with brief appearance by mocha-coffee tones.  The retrohale reinforces a stronger pepper profile but helps to highlight the coffee bean notes as well.

The draw remains very open and at this point, it’s one of the few faults I’m noticing.  I wish the resistance was stronger but better open than too tight, I suppose.  I finally reached for my torch to touch up the burn line, which was developing a significant widow’s peak.  It may have corrected itself with some attentive resting but I didn’t want it to get any worse.  The ash is flaky and tends to drop sporadically. Maybe as the burn corrects, the ash will become more uniform and stable.  There is a surprising strength as the first third transitions to the middle – medium strength with a nice bold, creamy body.

Second Cigar Update:
While the overall “theme” of the flavors above remains true, the real difference is the pepper.  While the pepper was prominently featured previously, on this cigar it’s more subtle.  The pepper lingers and helps emphasize the mocha-coffee and cinnamon flavors.  There is also more leather and cedar coming through.  Overall, the initial third of the second cigar is much more complex and balanced. Perfect draw – zero complaints.  The burn has actually really improved on its own.  It’s far from perfect but it has self-corrected remarkably.  I am assuming the second cigar is just better rolled and thus producing a better experience generally.  The ash on this stick is much more solid and holding extremely well. The layering is a work of art.