God of Fire Serie B 2016

After reviewing the incredible God of Fire Carlito 2017, I'm finding it impossible to wait until next Friday to review another GoF stick, the Serie B 2016... So, eff it, I'm lighting it up today.

Cigar: God of Fire Serie B 2016

Vitola: Diademas 56 (5 3/4” x 56)

Price: $24.00/stick

Origin: Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Body: Medium-Full

Rating (out of 10): 10

Appearance:
Here we have another dual-tapered diadema (like the Carlito), with a gold-colored silk band near the foot, and the same red, gold, and white band with a portrait of Prometheus, God of Fire. The secondary band, in a gold, white, and black motif, bears the name “Serie B,” and the year, 2016.

The wrapper is a rich, dark-chocolate brown in color, with distinct veins and plenty of toot, as well as nearly invisible seams and a perfectly-placed cap.

Construction:
Another example of flawless Fuente craftsmanship, as perfect as should be expected from one of their rarest signature blends. Today I'm cutting with my cigar knife from Les Fines Lames, mostly because it's within arm's reach and I'm too lazy to get up and go retrieve my Xikar XO. But the cut is perfect, anyway, because these blades from Les Fines Lames are expertly crafted.

Aroma:
The barrel carries a kind of barnyard and chocolate mix, and there's a kick at the foot of something both peppery and sweet, like a blend of black pepper and molasses.

First Third:
The cold draw is rich and chocolatey, with a soft hint of something fruity, and a faint dash of salt on the lips.

On lighting, there's a definite and unmistakable introduction of cedar into the flavor profile, and a peppery kick on the finish, something like black pepper in terms of flavor, but with a somewhat hotter zip to it. With these notes on the profile, the chocolate gets lost, but I think I detect it in the aftertaste, along with a hint of apricot.

Second Third:
The second third introduces some distinct coffee tones into the flavor. The intensity of the pepper on the finish has mellowed, as well, allowing more of the sweet apricot notes to come through.

The burn has remained razor-sharp throughout, as it did with the Carlito. The ash is firm and nearly white, and I've been collecting it in a mason jar as opposed to an ash tray, to be mixed with acrylic polymer and used in paintings later on.

Final Third:
In the last third, the chocolate becomes noticeable again. What a dance this blend is! It is quite possibly the boldest, most complex blend of flavors I've ever experienced!

Nearing the end, the apricot notes become more like raisin, giving the smoke a rich flavor like chocolate-covered raisins; it's like smoking Raisinets... just wish I could actually sit in a movie theater and burn one (or two) of these down...

Closing Thoughts:
I always wondered what made the God of Fire cigars so popular... now, after smoking two GoF blends, both of which earned perfect ratings, I understand; Everything about these sticks is perfection. If the Navy ever gets around to actually paying me my deployment pay, I absolutely need to get my hands on a couple of boxes!