Warlock Belicoso from OMAR ORTIZ Nicaragua

I got this from a friend, Hugh, this past August.  I am not much of a cigar smoker from countries other than Cuba, but when someone gives you a cigar at a herf, and you have a blog for cigar reviews, you gotta do what you gotta do.  I like a belicoso, and I like the taste of Nicaraguan tobacco.  Well, to be honest, I like Padron cigars....I am not a huge fan of the Omar Ortiz.  After decades of padronery,there is no easy way to duplicate that taste from any Nicaraguan tobacco-packed cigar.  But I liked this smoke.  It was not as strong as the "Originals" from Omar Ortiz, and I am used to cuban tobacco, I don't like a kick in the teeth cigar. 

This smoke cut perfectly, but was obviously rolled in that way I hate, like you'd roll up a newspaper to smack a dog on the nose.  And it burned like those do, 30-40 degree angle all the way up, requiring fixing lights the whole way.  I cut the smoke very close to the tip, less than a quarter inch gone, and it drew like a dream.  This had lulled me into a false sense of security not yet knowing what would happen with the burn.  But the draw worked well for smoke production, and that was most important.  Burn-patching lights are a pain, but far from the worst thing a cigar can do.  The smoke was rich and semi-sweet without much nuance.  Maybe some coffee and a little spice.  There were no really noticeable hints of the telltale taste of nicaraguan tobacco, but it was certainly not a Dominican.  A little nutty perhaps as well.  As an experience, however, it was very enjoyable, likely due to the fact that I have not smoked a cigar in what seems like months.

I would try and give a more detailed description of the smoke and how it progressed, but the smoke was really not doing much that would stand out as the cigar burned down.  The burn was crooked all the way, the taste was similar all the way, and there were no BAD things going on for the duration of the smoke.  So that's not bad, just not good enough to drag the review out to a lengthy read.
I don't really rate non-cuban cigars, but this one had enough good and bad points to stack up as a middle-of-the-road smoke to begin with, and I tend to ask a bit more from cigars from Nicaragua to boot.  So while I would not recommend the Warlock brand, I am guessing it is not going to break the bank, as most of the Ortiz cigars are priced right.  So if you like his other cigars, or just like a solid, good-tasting cigar at a good price point, you might look to these.  In fact I would go further and say if you like his originals, you will LOVE these.  it is strong enough to please, but not so strong that those who prefer a mild-medium body can taste what's going on without being blown out.  It is much better than the generic offerings from JR, Holt's and others.  And it draws well, which to some is good enough.

I should also mention the Old Rasputin Russian Impreial Stout I had with the smoke.  What taste, what texture.  Just a fantastic beer with a thick, viscous body, chocolatey aroma, the perfect amount of carbonation and a sweet, rich flavor.  NOT an expensive six pack, I say BUY EM now.