Blind Review: JFR Lunatic Torch Dreamland
The JFR Torch Dreamland is a large 6’ ½ x 60 gauge smoke with a shaggy foot that reveals the filler tobaccos by having the shortened wrapper leave a part of the cigar exposed. I usually enjoy this type of roll as it gives you a chance to taste the filler first and then see how the wrapper compares to the overall flavor. This is typically a quick if not too elaborate way of getting to taste a component of a cigar.
Regarding the size I am admittedly not a fan of large gauge smokes as I find them uncomfortable to smoke which hurts the experience for me. However with blind smoking it’s not so much about my personal preferences as it is about the quality and flavor the cigar provides. So let’s get to the blind review.
Blend Specifics
- Cigar Reviewed: JFR Lunatic Torch Dreamland
- Wrapper: Nicaraguan
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Size: 6 1/2 x 60
Appearance & Construction
This cigar has a medium brown Colorado wrapper with a shaggy foot. It’s a large, dense cigar with a few veins and a well-constructed cap. The smoke feels stuffed with tobacco showing no discernable soft spots anywhere. The shag foot is just that, a shaggy end of filler leaf sticking out the foot and brittle to the touch.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
Taking a wide straight cut I clip the cigar and take a dry draw that’s sweet, raisinated and with some woody notes. I light the shag foot and the filler tobaccos ignite delivering some gritty/earthy tones that leave saltiness on the lips. As the burn reaches the wrapper, pepper and char engulf the palate with a woody character on the finish. The retrohale gives off a bitter quality with a bit of toast that falls short. The cigar produces little smoke, which is surprising due to its size and amount of filler tobaccos involved.
By midway, there haven’t been a lot of changes in the profile. The flavors range from earthy, gritty with some vanilla bean sweetness that’s short on the finish. Construction wise, the cigar produces a solid gray ash with a decent burn line. The body continues to be in the medium range while the flavor comes in a bit rough with an oaky sharpness that is displeasing. As the cigar develops more, there are nuts and pepper going back and forth with a relentless roughness in the tobacco.
In the final third of the cigar, there is some drying on the palate along with hay and leather followed by earth and oak. A distinct return of the sharpness makes it a tough cigar to continue smoking, especially with its size. Another retrohale gives off cedar and fruit which leaves a bitter note in the mouth. The strength is a solid medium, never straying much from the initial flavors of the cigar. As I draw the last few puffs, the wood and sharpness remain with a rough finish. A lackluster end to this smoke.
Conclusion
I’m not sure where the “Lunacy” lies in the JFR Lunatic Torch Dreamland. I didn’t find it all that dynamic or out there in terms of the flavor profile. What started off with some sweetness quickly turned gritty and earthy with a short finish. At times there was a sharpness that made it tough to enjoy as it overshadowed the other flavors that weren’t all that intense to begin with. The medium body added to the less than vibrant profile and the bitterness hurt the experience for me.
If you are looking to try a JFR Lunatic Torch I would suggest starting with a smaller vitola as perhaps the blend may be better suited for it. This size was more work than the flavor it delivered.