Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Sumatran
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5 x 54 “Robusto”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $10.00

I am writing a small series of reviews of Paul Stulac Cigars. I’ve written several in the past. But I thought it would be fun to re-visit some of the blends in different sizes and/or natural or maduro.

Yesterday, I reviewed the Classic Skull. A fantastic cigar. And today, I am reviewing what Paul considers a step up from the Classic series.

I’m a huge fan and I don’t mind admitting it. I’ve never spoken to a single person that has tried a PS cigar and not said wow. Not one.

But as I’ve always said, I’m not in the pocket of anyone. No one buys a good review from your Uncle Katman. I just happen to rave about cigars I like. And I, generally, don’t write anything about cigars I don’t like…unless it’s a real dog turd.

I am looking forward to this robusto because I’ve only smoked the behemoth 6 x 56. And this whole line stands apart from every other large cigar in that you can basically smoke them on the same day you get them and get every inch of intent that the blender intended. Of course, they only get better with age. But I’ve never had another big cigar that was ready to smoke on Day 1.

That’s why I’m a big fan.

As usual, the construction is impeccable. Tight seams, a few veins, beautiful cap, oily with some tooth, and that one of a kind, stunning cigar band.

The aromas that waft from the stick are cedar, eye watering spice, cocoa, Brazil nuts, and a bit of coffee.
I rid the cigar of its cap and light up.

That wonderful flavor pops up right away starting with a wallop of spice. And then cedar. Nutty. Cocoa. And some sugary sweetness.
The char line is perfect as well as the draw.

Having never smoked a “smaller” sized PS stick, I was sort of excited as I like smaller cigars, with the robusto being my fave size. And fully knowing that the smaller cigar will have more intensity in the flavor arena. Or is that the dead alien arena?

The spice ramps up like a Billy goat after your naughty bits.

Within the first inch, creaminess enters and washes the naughty bits clean. It is a fine partner to the cocoa and coffee with the added sweetness.

The cocoa has me grabbing a Diet Coke for my NYC egg cream experience. I was right on target expecting a more intense flavor profile with this smaller stick.

I have two different Lord of Albany cigars sitting in my humidor and Paul ordered me, the bitch, to let them rest for 2-3 weeks. It’s only been a bit over a week and it is driving me fucking CRAZY! The cheap bastardo only sent me one of each: Natural and Maduro. So I can’t try one and check on its progress. That man loves to torture me. I swear my dead mother came back as Paul.

The Lord of Albany inhabits the Classic line and it contributes a 6 x 44 size to that line. I bet that stick is an eye popper.

The char line gets a bit raggedy near the end of the first third but it will correct itself because the Great Katman will “will” it so. Ta-Da! It does correct itself.

The second third begins with the stick turning into a flavor bomb. The mixture of Nicaraguan, Sumatran, and Ecuadorian goulash makes the cigar explode with bold flavors of cocoa and coffee, with that wonderful creaminess and the nuttiness. The cedar is very prominent and the sweetness rounds out the whole affair.

Goddam the Pusher Man! This is a GREAT cigar. I should have tried the BMF robusto long ago. When pressed, when asked, which of the many blends I prefer, I really cannot answer. The Red Screaming Sun, Black Midnight Fire, Classic, and White Blinding Light are entities all to themselves with very different characters; yet the thread of consistency running through them. So it’s all about mood. What the hell do I feel like? I bought several boxes back in November of last year and have been very selfish about them. I have only shared them on a couple of occasions and I smoke them when moments are appropriate for enjoying the full experience. Because remember my friends…these cigars ain’t cheap.

Paul is making an effort to bring prices down in 2013. Making them more accessible. For me, $10 is a lot of dough for a single cigar. I have a fire fighter friend, Dave Griffis, who makes decent money and is always trying to get me to buy expensive cigars with him, including Cubans.

I keep telling Dave, I AM POOR. Lol. So instead, we send each other little tastes of this and that. More prudent for me.

I’m at the halfway mark and I’m losing my mind from the flavor burst. Since I have all the blends in the big sizes; and they are properly aged, I get the same flavor as this little buster. Only instead of a 75 minute smoke, I get two hours of delight.

The flavors have not changed and there are no new ones added to the mixture. That’s Okie-Dokie with me. These are just fine, thank you.

The flavors are so intense that even at the $10 price point, it is worth every dime. I’ve been around the block and smoked just about every cigar out there over 45 years of being an addict.

But after smoking this stick, it should have easily been the Cigar Aficionado’s Cigar of the Year. Yes. It is that good. I bought a box of My Father Flor de las Antillas; which won that award with a 96 rating. This cigar is better. I bought the My Father’s a while back and they are aged nicely and while excellent cigars, they don’t stand up to this stick. Really.

Now I am going nuts waiting to smoke the two Lord of Albany sticks…did I say only two? Yes, I believe I did. Cheap bastardo!

The ash must be made of concrete because it sticks to the body like Brad Pitt does to Angelina’s old boobs.

The last third brings more of the same. The flavor profile keeps expanding. The balance is perfect. And there is a very long finish. The spiciness is ramping up again. My nose is running. Yuck. I have one more robusto waiting for me. And in order to make the day bright, I will probably smoke it later this afternoon.
If you are looking to buy these sticks, go here: http://pipesandcigars.com/paul-stulac-black-midnight-fire-cigars.html

The cigar finishes with a flourish. The body gets stronger the last inch and a half and hits the full bodied mark. But the rest of the cigar is a very pleasant medium bodied.
This is a treat no one should miss.
And I want to thank Paul Stulac one more time for sending me a few samples. Paul is generous to a fault; except with the Lords….cheap bastardo!
Visit Paul’s web site at: www.paulstulaccigars.com
And visit him on his Face Book page at: https://www.facebook.com/PaulStulacCigars?fref=ts

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS