Agile Cigar Reviews replace what we termed “Assessment Updates”. The concept is the same, but the name is different. Agile Cigar Reviews use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or providing a score for a first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we take another look at the Aging Room M20 ffortissimo by Boutique Blends Cigars. This is a cigar we have previously assessed back in October, 2014.
Wrapper: San Andres Mexican
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera Palma)
Box Pressed Perfecto: 5 3/4 x 47
In 2014 Boutique Blends introduced the Aging Room M20 ffortissimo. This is the second ffortissimo cigar release by Boutique Blends. ffortissimo is a line of limited edition powerful perfecto-shaped cigars. In 2013 the first ffortissimo was released with the Aging Room M21 ffortissimo, a Dominican Puro. The M20 ffortissimo follows up with a San Andres maduro wrapper and also introduces a box-pressed shape for the 5 3/4 x 47 perfecto. Today we revisit the M20 – a cigar that has been resting in the Cigar Coop humidor for two years.
In addition to the San Andres wrapper, the M20 ffortissimo uses an all Dominican blend. The cigar is produced at Tabacalera Palma int he Dominican Republic. The term fortissimo means “loud” and this is appropriate because the ffortissimo blends are bolder cigars. Like many of the small batch Aging Rooms, the M20 has ties to the calendar. It stands for when the blend was created: “M” stands for Monday and “20” stands for the day of the year.
The Aging Room M20 ffortissimo delivered a mix of cocoa, earth, black pepper, and a touch of fruit sweetness. The first third saw the cocoa notes more prominent, the second third saw the earth notes primary while the pepper the notes kicked in during the last third. The strength and body of this cigar started out medium to full before both attributes kick in to full during the second half.
In 2014, the Aging Room M20 ffortissimo impressed me with its combination of boldness and flavor. Now two years later, the M20 does not lose a beat as it maintained that combination. Given this cigar has some firepower, it’s a cigar I’d steer to a more seasoned cigar enthusiast. As for myself, this cigar is worthy of a box split.
Summary
Key Flavors: Cocoa, Earth, Black Pepper
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium to Full (1st Half), Full (2nd Half)
Body: Medium to Full (1st Half), Full (2nd Half)
Finish: Good
Rating
Assessment: 3.5-Box Split
Score: 91
References
Previous Assessment: Aging Room M20 ffortissimo by Boutique Blends Cigars
News: Aging Room M20 ffortissimo (Cigar Preview)
Price: $13.90
Source: Purchased
Stogie Geeks Podcast: Episode 116
Stogie Feed: Aging Room M20 ffortissimo by Boutique Blends Cigars
Brand Reference: Boutique Blends Cigars
Photo Credits: Cigar Coop
