Smoked: Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Desert Rose

Smoked at: West Chester, Ohio

Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Desert Rose Lonsdale is an AJ Fernandez-built creation for the Holts, especially Sharon Holt for which the cigar is named.

Flavor notes: cedar, cream, nutty (walnuts?), cocoa, spice, earth, and a touch of leather. You get some pepper in the mix during the second third. I think I tasted a hint of coconut on one puff.

The burn is excellent – straight burn line throughout, cool draw, solid ash and no touchups or relights necessary. Nice construction on this stick.

The retrohale accentuates the spice and a sweetness almost like cotton candy – very interesting.

Medium body, medium strength start to finish. It did pair well with a cup of Costa Rican coffee, but I can see this as an any time of the day cigar. The complexity and balance are quite impressive. I looked forward to trying this AJ Fernandez-Holt release and it did not disappoint.