Initial Thoughts:
If we've said it once, we've said it a thousand times – we like cigar subscription boxes because they help us learn about and try cigars we might not get any other way. And that's true for today's cigar, the FQ Proper Corona Gorda, which we received from CigarClub.com in August of 2020.
As soon as the FQ Proper was liberated from its cellophane, I got aromas of beef jerky. Visually, the cigar looks great, with a classic gold and white label, and a wrapper leaf that is leathery and veiny. To top it all off, the FQ Proper Corona Gorda sports a closed foot, so it's sure to deliver a blast of flavor right from the first puff.
Once the end was cut, I found the draw to be good, but a little tight. Similar to the beef jerky-like aroma of the cigar, the cold draw flavors were beef-esque as well.
Through the first third of the FQ Proper, the draw was a little tight, the burn was almost perfect, and the flavors were strong and spicy, likely due to the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.
CigarScore:
Brand: FQ Cigars
Line: The Proper
Size: 5 5/8 x 46
Cut: Guillotine
Light: Torch
Price: $9.50 – CigarClub.com
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras, United States Connecticut Broadleaf
Smoke Time: 99 minutes
Through the middle third, the draw remained tight. However, with some effort, I was able to get enough smoke to fully taste the flavors of leather and sweetness from the cigar. Also, an interesting thing to point out is that there is almost no aftertaste on the FQ Proper. Additionally, the middle third was not as bold as the first third.
Final Thoughts
For the most part, the FQ Proper Corona Gorda is an extremely and impressively well-made cigar, especially from a brand you've never heard of. There were no hollow spots. The burn was almost perfect. The draw was just a little tight.
In the final third, the flavors were like menthol and left a very clean feeling on my tongue. The first third was bold and spicy, and the cigar became more mellow as I continued smoking. Overall, the flavors were pretty good.
I would definitely smoke this cigar again. So, for these reasons, the FQ Proper Corona Gorda earns a CigarScore 5.
