Wrapper: Honduran Jamastran ’99 Corojo
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan, Cuban
Size: 6 x 48
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $20.00 (I paid $6.00 on Cbid)

The blenders of this cigar, Christian Eiroa and Julio Eiroa, wanted to make a cigar that would stand apart from anything on the market. Lofty goal.

The way to do it was to obtain real Cuban tobacco. And not just any Cuban tobacco, but Cuban tobacco aged for over 50 years. Now, they make no claim that this is a Cuban puro. What they do claim is that there is a nice bit of that forbidden fruit in each and every Pre Embargo Cigar. I’ve read reviewers state that they don’t believe much more than a quarter size piece of Cuban tobacco is used. That’s what I’m talking about. Camacho is a great company. And I choose to believe that they put a substantial enough of the Cuban in the cigar to alter its flavor profile.

Cigar smokers, universally, look at this with some amount of skepticism. I don’t. Because, these are men of honor. And pulling a stunt, a charade, or deceiving their cigar smoking customers; would forever tarnish their names in the cigar industry.

I have already smoked a couple. And they are the most unique cigar I’ve smoked. There is something about this stick that sets it apart. Obviously, it is the Cuban tobacco.

Supposedly, the most impressive flavor and about this cigar is the 1999 Jamastran Corojo. From my research, this was an exceptional year for this leaf.

I’m not going into this review thinking that I am going to be smoking an authentic Cuban puro. And no one else should. You are getting a small taste of the past. A teaser, if you will.

Construction is good, not great, but good. All the sticks I’ve smoked have been a bit soft. Today’s included. Not a rock solid cigar. Seams are excellent. Veins are abundant. The triple cap is done nicely. The wrapper is the color of light brown. There is some oiliness to the wrapper and a bit of tooth. There is the tiniest of tiny pigtails on the cap. It is lying down and trying to make it stand for a photo just tears it off.

The foot is partially closed.

I clip the cap to search for aromas. I smell sweetness, earth, nuttiness, wood and spice.
Time to light up.

The first puffs are nothing special. And then, there it is. That elusive exotic flavor I tasted on the previous 3 cigars…I will get to that in short order. The other flavors are black pepper, earthiness, baking spices, creaminess, espresso, and fine leather…from a new, expensive chair.

The draw is spot on. The char line is a bit wavy.

As this cigar is not packed solid, it burns quickly. The unique flavor might be the charred oak component. But with some sort of twist. As the cigar continues, a cocoa presence is observed.

I read that there was a marketing plan for this cigar. The Cuban element was to bring in novice smokers that wanted to taste Cuban. And this is why the cigar differs from other Camachos which are usually packed solid. This one is airy so it burns more quickly making the newbie entranced and want more. All’s fair in love and cigars.

I am close to the end of the first third. The stunning flavor ingredient must be the small amount of well-aged Cuban tobacco. It gives off a rich, sophisticated flavor that is unequalled by anything I’ve smoked. Very unique. Clearly, the embargoed component is more than just a sprinkling of fairy dust. It has its place in the flavor profile.

Damn. I drop the cigar getting up to take a photo. It had a good inch of undisturbed ash on it and it’s all over the laptop, dining room table and the carpet. I am such a schmuck.

The second third begins with the cigar blossoming with flavor. It is absolutely delicious. The creaminess and the black pepper fight for dominance. The coffee and cocoa have their own battle going on just behind the front runners. The baking spices keep the cigar toasty and the earthiness brings a nice richness to the whole affair.

And then the Cuban element takes charge. I can only describe it as such well-aged tobacco that it has its own unique flavor profile. 800 reviews under my belt and I can’t bloody describe this flavor. This is the money spot. This is what makes the cigar cost $20 and up. But like I said, I bought mine on auction at Cbid for $6 each. I have no idea how I got all four so cheap.

A slight saltiness develops as I hit the halfway point. And the cigar is burning quickly as it has only taken me 30 minutes to get this far.

Damn it again. I drop the whole damn ashtray as I get up. Spilling all the ash on to my bathrobe hanging on a dining room chair. What the hell is wrong with me? This day shall go into the annals of Katman history for the only time I’ve dropped a cigar twice during a review. Putz.

The sweetness becomes very bold. That charred oak flavor looms large. The baking spices are tamped down leaving a stronger vanilla component. And then there is some Oolong tea flavor. This is a nice surprise. The sweet components are joined by a treacle like summary of a fine English dessert. Laden with caramel and clotted cream.

As the halfway point disappears, the cigar is officially a wonderful flavor bomb. Another surprising event is that while the cigar started off being a bit soft for my taste, the burning of it does not increase the softness. It never gets spongy. It holds its own.

The toastiness is prevalent throughout my palate. The only thing missing is some sort of dried fruit. But I hasten to add that if there was that element, it would be run over by the natural sweetness.

The last third begins. The cigar is extremely complex. It has a very long finish.

Time to remove the very ornate cigar band. It comes off easily.

The complexity of this cigar makes it a joy. I could never afford to purchase a $20 cigar, let alone several. But I see where the money went. This is one of the finest cigars that Camacho has delivered.

Cbid has allowed this cigar to be obtained by everyone. So if you’re not bucks up, this is where you should keep an eye open for it. I just checked and there are several up for auction way below the retail price.

A new flavor is added as the cigar has only a couple inches to go: red wine. Another surprise.

This cigar doesn’t have the famous punch of the rest of the line in terms of power. This cigar has maintained an even keel of medium body throughout. It is in only the last third that the cigar rises to full bodied. But gently.

This stick has turned out to be a great cigar in my book. Don’t let your skepticism sway you away from purchasing this cigar. It is a real treat and a serious cigar event for the experienced cigar smoker. This stick will test your palate. If your palate is just so-so, I suggest you write down the flavors in the order that they appeared from my review, and then smoke one without distraction. Find those flavors. You can do it.

I have no idea how Camacho was able to snag enough of this Cuban tobacco to make large quantities of this cigar. Clearly, they have some serious juice. But I consider it pure genius. This may not be a real Cuban cigar. But you will be completely, and totally, satisfied with your experience.

And between you and me, real Cuban cigars are mostly overrated. And expensive. The Cuban expatriates that live in Central America or Florida know what they are doing and the blends they put out are superb. So go get some.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS