THE THROWDOWN

[NATURAL]
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Mexican Sumatra
Blend: Multi-Country
Body: Mild - Medium
Churchill (7 x 48) | Robusto (4.75 x 50) | Toro (6 x 50)

[MADURO]
Wrapper: San Andreas
Binder: Mexican Sumatra
Blend: Multi Country
Body: Mild - Medium
Churchill (7 x 48) | Robusto (4.75 x 50) | Toro (6 x 50)  

I've been thinking of how to word this review, and I want to be as accurate and fair as possible. Not that it matters, I'm just a regular dude that likes cigars.  I'll just say this, I make it a rule to not form an opinion on sticks until I've had at least two.

Let's just start at the beginning.  I received my first slaughterhouse some months back in a "make your own sampler."  Somewhere between delivery and when I decided to remove it from the humidor, something went terribly wrong, as the first stick cracked and unraveled so bad I couldn't even light it.  To state that I was upset would be an understatement, upon my dismay, I checked forums and groups for answers to whether this was normal for the brand or if I had gotten a fluke.  It was to no avail.

However, a week later, I received another Slaughterhouse stick, this time it was a Maduro Robusto.  I let this one mellow for two - three weeks, as well.  I had a far better experience the second time around, "I'll tell you hwat." Smoked it to the nub.

Let me take you to where this smoke took me.  First off, I love the way the sticks are presented, nothing fancy, just a "butcher paper" like band, I'm a sucker for the bare bones approach.  It's as if they know they are for the common man, and not trying anything fancy.  It reminded me of butcher shops with a dude named sammy cutting steaks up while smoking a stogie, all my old school fellas and grown and sexy know the dude I'm talking about. 

Upon the toasting and throughout the first third, I got a Bold, Peppery and Beefy flavor to the palate.  I'll admit, I had doubts, because this one had me working to keep it lit throughout the first third.  However, as the cigar warmed up, the smoke was more voluminous and took another direction. I was getting a slightly sweet aroma, almost like a wine.  It then reminded me of a visit to a local Olive Garden.  You can get dinner for two, at a reasonable price.  I won't say the word "cheap," because the quality was not so bad.  I got these two tones throughout the whole experience.

The only downfalls to the experience were the fact that I had to puff on the thing constantly throughout the first third and I did get a "tobacco salad" with my steak.  Even though there's probably more hits than misses with this brand, that first experience I had, would probably stop others from trying it again.

Overall, Slaughterhouse has chops.  Like I said, I love the way they are presented.  I love the fact that they aren't trying to doctor it up with fancy bands.  They may be ugly, but I love that, I'm ugly too.

My Rating..... 3/5... all day.

follow the link to see where to purchase  Slaughterhouse  cigars.