Barclay-Rex El Moreno

The vanilla and cocoa toppings dominates everything, though there is a light caramel in there, too. The black cavendish offers some brown sugar. No nicotine to speak of. Won’t bite or get harsh. Burns at an average pace, cool, clean, and very smooth., though the toppings weaken a little in the last third of the experience. Leaves some moisture in the bowl, and needs a few relights. Has a nice after taste and room note. A decent smoke on its own, it makes a good mixer, too.

-JimInks

El Moreno will remind you of dozens of house blends that are given shop names. A heavily cased black Cavendish with a lot of added sauce. But, this one burned a lot cooler and dryer than many aros that I have smoked of this type. I've smoked many of the old Barclay-Rex offerings and while this one does not reach the top tier, it was an enjoyable smoke for most of my fellow pipe club members (we had it at our tobacco bar years ago.

This thing must have been some child psychologist's idea.

Its ALL black cav. That's ALL. It doesn't taste like anything at all, but when I was 16 it allowed me to pretend I was Hugh Heffner, and the name sounded delighfully convincing whenever somebody asked, "what is that thing you are smoking?"

I have to admit disappointment in this one.

Aroma in the bag is good, and, once lit, burn is generally even.

Vanilla casing is pleasant initially, then seems to disappear, leaving a mild, eminently forgettable smoke.

A Consolidated B-20 "wannabe", it is inoffensive, and worth a try if offered by a friend, but not worth pursuing with any vigor.

I have always enjoyed this delicious black Cavendish. It does come a tad wet, but it looks beautiful, sort of a matte black finish. It burns fairly well, and it goes great with a meerschaum. Vanilla, cocoa, and maple syrup predominate. It’s great with morning coffee, and with an evening cordial. Of course, if you don’t like aromatics, you definitely won’t like this. But if you like to go to dessert land every now and then, this is a great place to visit. It’s also excellent for mixing with straight Virginias— or really any tobacco if you don’t overdo it.