ACID Ming Dynasty

ACID Ming Dynasty

Fatal Halo Rating

B

Dimensions: 6” x 60 (Toro)

Price:  $11.00

Burn Time:  2 hours

Wrapper: Nicaraguan

Binder: Nicaraguan

Tobacco: Nicaraguan

Purchased at:  Montecristo House of Cigar (Powell, Ohio – www.houseofcigar.net)

I’ve only had a few of the ACID cigars in the past and for the most part, they’ve been kind of . . . “Eh”.  I much prefer the flavor and aroma of a natural cigar opposed to anything spiced or flavored like the ACID line, but seeing as how I always see them in their own special humidors in whatever shop I see them at, I assume there has to be a real winner among the line that I just have yet to find.  So, with that in mind, I picked up this beauty.  Looks nice and thick – capable of packing a punch, I hope.

Pre-Smoke Analysis

This is actually a beautifully constructed cigar.  The wrapper is a little veiny and you can feel some real tooth to it.  I am a bit disappointed because after removing it from the cellophane, I see that the wrapper near the foot is cracked in an upwards direction about an inch high on the cigar.  I hope this doesn’t cause any issues for me after lighting it.  The feel of the cigar is very firm with a mildly-rounded cap at the head that looks like its midway between being a standard rounded-cap cigar and a torpedo.  The band art is exquisite.  The aroma off the wrapper is very subtle, but it has a definite sweet spiciness to it.  The aroma intensifies at the foot and I’m picking up on hints of fine cognac and . . . baby powder oddly enough.

The First Third

The cigar lit up very quickly and without much fuss.  The split in the wrapper flaked away a little bit at first, but it didn’t cause any real trouble at all.  The draw was very easy after the clip, but the aroma and flavor doesn’t quite pack the punch I was expecting it would.  It’s nice and mellow and a little low on flavor considering it’s an ACID cigar, but not at all unpleasant.  The burn is staying pretty consistent and no major issues to speak of, so although it’s not a cigar that knocks my socks off, it’s not a complete disappointment either.

The Second Third

Not much change at all in flavor complexity or strength.  This is a very mild-bodied cigar in every sense of the meaning.  The burn becomes a bit hotter as the cherry closes in on the head, but still burns very even and doesn’t overpower your palate so much that you can’t enjoy pairing it with a good beverage.

Burning Out

The Dynasty picked up a little more flavor and strength right at the end, but I kind of hoped it would have kicked in a little sooner so I could have had longer to enjoy it.  It extinguished itself with a little less than an inch and a half left to go, but overall, it was a satisfying cigar.

Final Thoughts

From what I found in reviews on this cigar online, it didn’t get very high marks – and from seasoned cigar aficionados, I can understand why.  However, it burned almost perfectly as I didn’t need to correct it at any point.  The flavors were mild, but they lingered on the palate long enough to appreciate its uniqueness.  I don’t think it was necessarily worth the price I paid for it, but as far as ACID goes, it was alright.  I think those looking to try one expect more from it based on its size and construction and I’d like to try a Maduro version of it if one is ever produced.  Not a bad cigar for those new to the lifestyle.

Liked It?:  It was sufficient.

Buy It Again?: Perhaps.

Recommend It?:  Very likely . . . once the price drops a bit.

Pairing(s):  I enjoyed a Dundee Porter with this cigar and found it to be very well-matched!