For this short session, the Nubbit brothers choose a short Villiger cigar, the usual brew, and talk smack on the Man of Steel.

Draw: I’m so excited to see you! I’m glad you could make it back the Kansas way for Independence week. Nothing says love like sharing a cigar with your brother.

Punch: Awh, shucks. Well, thank you. I’ve a special little something to share with you which I picked up at a Villigar event at Big Sticks in Mesa, AZ. A Villiger Premium No. 7.

D: Neat! It’s a cute little package. An individual plasticized sealed wrapper, with a pull-tab around the middle. Machine rolled, box pressed. Dry cured?

P: At first I wasn’t sure about it being dry cured, but I’m assured that it is by the regional Villiger representative who says the wrapper is just for show, not to maintain humidity.

D: I’m opening mine. Hey, there’s a V‑notch in one end. No need for a cutter! I’m not getting any distinguishing scent from it. The dry draw suggests grains, and alfalfa sprouts, and milk. I notice a lip buzz just from holding in my mouth!

P: I’m just smelling alfalfa tobacco. Medium tight draw. Creamy dry-draw. Smooth.

D: It’s difficult to warm the foot; it wants to light. Started a cherry part-way from the foot. I can’t get a legitimate toasted foot draw, so guess I’ll just lighter-up!

P: Mmm, I’m saying black walnut. Slight harshness. old leather on the finish.

D: Bitiey on the attack. Dry merlot, lots of tannin. I think I can get the walnut. After some Batch 19, I get more wood smoke, not hardwood – maybe pine wood? Bitter in the eyes, too. A problem with such short sticks.

P: Not much of a smoker when idle, It does produce a nice mouthful of thick smoke. Burn is fairly even, although not perfect. Draw has loosened up slightly. At an inch in, I’m getting some pepper on the finish, and I haven’t lost the ash yet.

D: I’m also getting some mesquite on the attack.

Hey Punch, I finally saw Man of Steel!

P: Well, what did you think of it?

D: Let’s see, the Messiah references were rather thick, particularly his early messianic look, but I suppose it’s hard to avoid with Superman. I thought the backstory was much more compelling, blending both the plots of Superman (S) I and II, and still adding a lot of depth. I especially liked how General Zod was more believable, compared to the cartoon-like presentation in S‑II. But somehow it seemed rather dark overall.

P: Yeah, that’s one thing that struck me. The color grading was very washed out, and the texture was very grainy. I’m sure it was a deliberate choice but it is so distinct it is distracting.

D: Yes, I did notice that. Especially compared with S Classics and Superman Returns, which was filmed to unite with the Classics: lots of bright colors, very clean, very …holy? Man of Steel definitely definitely wasn’t all that.

So, how’s your cigar?

P:  At the halfway point, it’s changing. Going cedar on me, and I’m tasting some mineral oil in the middle.

D: I agree. I’m also beginning to get serious nic buzz in my mouth. Also physical heat. And… some orange in the finish, along with white pepper.

P: Because of the small size, after 2 inches (half-way through) the draw is pretty warm. I’m getting mubn tumnge… er… numb tongue buzz.

D:  So, back to the movie. What did you think?

P: Well, I thought that you’ve caught alot of the things I did. What about the action scenes? Did there seem to be enough fist-fighting?

D: Oh, yes! I noticed that! How many different ways do you have to pummel a Super before you understand it’s irrelevant! Yeah, the hand-to-hand scenes, and also when they leveled Smallville – a little over the top. No, way too much over the top. It just wasn’t needed.

[SPOILER ALERT] On the other hand, I can see that they did it to show the fundamental nature of both characters. Zod wasn’t one-dimensional, he was a zealot: he was living out his sense of duty, that had been put on him by their cast system. He was doing what he thought was best. Clark on the other hand, wanted that reunion, wanted that kinship, and that’s why he never quite delivered a fatal blow to Zod, until the last minute, when he realized that Zod wouldn’t change – COULDN’T change. The fight sequence was the director’s way of telling that story. I think there are other, less exasperating ways, to tell it that wouldn’t require me to do an after-the-fact justification.

P:  Maybe so. That’s a pretty thin justification at that, but maybe so. I agree with your analysis, however.

With an inch to go, this Villiger is getting too small for me to handle — letting it lay.

D: I’m going to nubbit! At less than a half-inch of wrapper, I find that I can no longer get enough lip on the V to draw anymore smoke through. Flavor was consistent through the last third, without the curdling flavor that I usually experience with the nub. I don’t encourage anyone to risk the health hazards of such a nubbing, though.

Burn or Spurn?

P: I say “burn”. Nice complexity and flavor progression for an inexpensive, short duration, smoke. I’m going to get a pack to have on hand when I don’t have time for a full size stick. Recommended. 30 minutes out of this stick, if you go slow. Also, the individual sealed wrappers should give them a great shelf life.

D: I’m in for a burn, but I will still lean toward the Villiger Export line for a short stick. I enjoyed the flavor complexity and variety over the duration of the smoke. The Export are sweeter, if more uniform in flavor. The V cut is a nice feature, meaning I can light this up using any available source and not worry about having my cutter. I experienced more physical heat on this cigar over the Export, which again makes the Export preferable, at least in the last third. Still, if I’m offered one, or five, I won’t pass on putting these in my humi, or glovebox.