Tasting Notes

For this review, I decided to go with a Robusto. I feel that's a good size to experience everything the cigar has to offer.

Prelight

My Robusto is a solidly constructed, smooth stogie with a little tooth and no soft spots. There are barely any blemishes on the wrapper. In fact, there's a bit of an oily sheen to it. I must say though that the double cap is not the best. Off the shaft, all I get are sweet hay nuances. Cold draw is open and just about perfect. There's an implicit sweetness with notes of cocoa, raisins, rye, and caramel.

First Third

My Chillin' Moose is really chillin'. The first few draws are all a mellow cedar tang with timid peppery notes on the finish. Smoke output is sufficient though not billowy. Truthfully, this cigar develops slowly. A few draws in, and flavors begin to take shape. There's a wet tree bark flavor on the front of the palate. This is a stand-alone flavor aside from the gentle oak, charry hay, and sweet black pepper on the finish.

The finish is not long. It clears almost immediately. But the retrohale, consisting of blushing sweet cocoa and baking spice with an earthy base is quite pleasant. Towards the end of the first third, pepper goes away. In its place is that delicate sweet nuance fused with smooth oaky notes, earth, leather, and a warm kitchen spice tang at the back of the throat. However, black pepper and creamy savory cocoa remain in the Retrohale. At this point, the burn begins to get wonky. There is some major canoeing that can't possibly correct itself. So, I have to touch it up. Smoke output is still satisfactory while body and strength is a light-medium.

Mid Third

Right at the beginning of my mid-third, my ash fell. It was unruly flowery ash with tiny flakes flying all over. Overlooking the uneven burn and flaky ash, my Robusto trudges on. Cedar fused with dry grass, earth, leather, and a little spice are still the dominant flavors. But alas! There's a twist! A tangy, citrusy, fruity zing zooms in and out of the finish. It's delicious but fleeting, which is a little disappointing. Sweet cocoa notes mixed with a mild black pepper spice are still all the Retrohale is about. Towards the end of the mid-third, I have to touch up my Robusto one more time.

Final Third

At the rate this burn line is going, I see another touch up in my near future. My previous Chilllin' Moose cigars (or is it Meese?) didn't have such pronounced burn issues. Anyway, my nub brings dry grass to the front of the palate. Cedar, cocoa, and a fleeting graham cracker note dance at the back of my throat. A few more draws and my Robusto gets warm and squishy.

As I put it down, I realize the strength and body never went beyond a mild-medium. That notwithstanding, my Chillin' Moose had some pretty pleasant flavors. Even though the burn issues were a little annoying, I will still toast another one of these pretty soon. Hopefully, my burn issues died with this one.

A Little About Foundry

Foundry is a cigar company founded by Michael Giannini in 2012. It was then acquired by General Cigars and later reacquired by Michael Giannini under Kretek International. Since its inception, Michael Giannini wanted Foundry cigars to defy the mold. He sought to create off the wall cigars that aim to please both the palate and the wallet.

To date, Foundry cigars match to the beat of their own drums. From the exotic and rare tobacco blends to the radical steampunk-inspired packaging and front mark artistry portraying science fiction and chemistry themes, Foundry cigars are all about standing up and out. Chilling Moose demonstrates these concepts perfectly. Thanks to the amoosing (get it?) box illustrations, bold flavor profile, and affordable price, Chillin' Moose is definitely one for the humidor.