Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 7 x 58 “Skull-Salomone”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $9.75

I reviewed this cigar back on May 27, 2013. The difference is that the review was not the regular sized Skull. It was a torpedo which must have been one of Paul Stulac’s early tries at blending this cigar.

The Salomone is the shape that this cigar is sold in. You cannot buy a torpedo shape. It is part of Paul’s “Classic Line” and there are five sizes each with their own name: Ghost (6 x 58), Phantom (6 x 53 Torpedo), Angel (5 x 58), and the Cross (7 x 64). And of course today’s review subject, the Skull. All 5 of these cigars are available in either a natural or maduro version.

I am reviewing the natural version of the Skull today.
The Salomone is one of the most interesting shapes on the market. It takes enormous skill by the roller. It also imparts a slightly different flavor profile than the normal round shaped cigar. And that is why I am reviewing it; to compare those differences.

Construction is very good on this stick. No seams to be found and there is a modicum of veins. The triple cap is expertly done. And there is an oily sheen with a slightly toothiness.

I clip the cap and find aromas of strong black tea, strong cedar and leather, vanilla bean, a bit of cocoa, nutmeg, and nuts.
I clip the foot back about ¼” so I have something to light as the Salomone typically has a closed foot.
Time to light up.

The first puffs are delicious with a profile of sweetness, cashew, a very bright green veggie taste like freshly sliced cucumber, and some cocoa.

A red pepper element builds slowly. With most of Paul’s cigars, the pepper blast hits you right in the puss right up front. This stick teases you.

The body is on the light side of medium. The draw and char line are spot on.

And instead of the typical Nicaraguan creaminess showing up, caramel takes its place as the newest flavor. Sticky and sweet. Almost taffy-like.

Growing in Long Beach, CA…we had the “Pike.” A huge amusement park right on the water that was built at the turn of the 20th Century. Because Long Beach is such a big Navy town, the sleaziness of the tattoo parlors and dark bars attracted a lot of sailors. No offense to our fine Navy personnel. It was finally torn down in the 1980’s to make way for more modern things. As this was prime property, the Pike just no longer fit in any longer.

The point is that I remember always seeing that one little stall selling salt water taffy and watching the machine pull and stretch the soft candy. I would always buy the warm vanilla flavor because it was heaven. And this caramel/white taffy taste took me for a ride in the “Way Back Machine, Mr. Peabody.”

And one last thing about the Pike (this is a big cigar and I am stalling for time as I write), it had a roller coaster. Made completely of wood and one of the most dangerous in the country. Once or twice a year, some drunken sailor would stand up in the car and get his head knocked off, or just lose his balance and fall to his death. And yet, the roller coaster was the last thing to be demolished years after the rest of the Pike was gone.

Halfway through the first third, the cigar is delicious. It doesn’t have the oomph of the maduro, but it has a nicely tamed flavor profile that bursts like an exploding ice cream parlor. (You’ve never seen that happen?)

The flavors are constant. The caramel gets stronger while the other flavors remain static but act as back up. The red pepper has found its place in the universe and balances perfectly. It is not overwhelming. But it is still there.

The regular Nicaraguan flavors are not in force today while yet the cigar becomes a flavor bomb at the end of the first third.
Flavors consist of caramel, sweetness, tea, cocoa, and spice. This is a nice change up from the majority of Nicaraguan cigars I’ve reviewed lately.
The body hits classic medium as the second third begins.

The ash is wavy. And needs a touch up. Normally, this isn’t required in the Stulac cigars I’ve smoked.

The halfway point is met with complexity and character. The flavors are very bold and tight with nuance and flavor. The spiciness has resurged. A new flavor of toast is on the scene. The body remains at medium. This is the perfect cigar for my buddy, Wally Guse…who just can’t handle strong cigars. The public seems to prefer full bodied cigars but will appreciate a medium bodied one if it is loaded with flavor.

Now I’ve been harping on price point for a bunch of reviews lately. And this ain’t a cheap cigar. The only difference is that the Paul Stulac line is a true boutique line of cigars. There are no big money backers. There is no giant distributor. And Paul does most of the leg work himself. He has a very small staff to help, but this is pretty much a one man operation. And under those circumstances, one has to make exceptions on the pricing of a cigar line.

I talk to Paul all the time and one constant is how hard it is on him to get things done the way he wants them done. He travels a lot. 90% of his sales come from B & M’s. Not online, although there are more and more online stores carrying his line.

Yeah, I wish his sticks were cheaper, because, frankly, I can’t afford them. Some of the online stores that carry his line are Pipes and Cigars.com, Cigar Stix.com, Bonita’s Smoke Shop.com, Best Cigar Prices.com, Podman Cigars.com, and WAIT…while trying to find places online to buy these cigars; I discovered that Famous Smoke now carries his line. Wow. That’s a big deal. They are selling his new addition to the Classic Line, “Lord” (of Albany) for a very good deal at around $7.50 each in a 5 pack. Others are selling it for a buck or two more.

The Lord is a great place to start your journey with Stulac cigars. When they came out, Paul sent me some samples and I fell in love with them. They are the same blend but in a Lancero (6 x 44) size. And the concentration of flavor is unbelievable. And the price makes it easier on the wallet.

Paul told me that he is aiming for the new year of 2014 to see his prices go down, thereby making it easier for everyone to try his sticks.

The last third begins and the flavor bomb quality is a real joy.
The last couple inches see the body grow stronger. Not a lot of nicotine.

I know this cigar runs in the $9-$10 range and may put it out of range for a lot of people, but there are other sticks in the Paul Stulac line that are more affordable and if you try one of those, you might find yourself hooked and treat yourself to the more expensive lines like White Blinding Light, or Red Screaming Sun, or Black Midnight Fire when you decide you deserve it.

And the photo below is what the Pike was transformed into:

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS