Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5 x 50 “Robusto”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $5.00

Paul Stulac Cigars are made in Miami, Florida by the Guillermo Pena Factory, U.S.A.

So all of Paul Stulac’s cigars are made in this factory and other than the following, there is little information on the internet to be gleaned about Pena’s involvement in cigars.

This is from Paul about Pena:
“Guillermo spent his life rolling cigars in Cuba and started a small factory in Miami a few years ago. I discovered him by fluke and we became friends and had him make my cigars.

“As far as the stick, it is a $5 cigar and was made for a few stores that he
is friends with.”

The Classic line, Black Midnight Fire, Red Screaming Sun, and White Blinding Light are all made in the same factory in Miami.

When I spoke to Paul he told me that Peña was trying his hand at blending his own cigar.

The wrapper is either a Maduro or a Habano. Impossible to tell for sure. It is fairly solid with a few soft spots. The stick is chock full of veins. The cap is masterfully done. The seams are good. The wrapper is very oily and very smooth to the touch.

The cigar band has a GP and the man’s name just underneath. There is a nice little red ribbon at the foot to make it a little flashy.
I clip the cap and find aromas of red hot spice, cocoa, black coffee, raisin, leather, and earth.
Time to light up.

The first puffs are full of cocoa. And sweet, sticky raisin. It hits the classic medium button right away. The red pepper begins to swing into action. The draw is excellent and the char line is a bit wavy.
I can tell I am going to like this cigar unless it pulls a fast one on me.

Smoke pours out of the foot hiding the laptop screen. I always chomp the stick while I write. The spice is so powerful it begins to cover up the flavors; except for the cocoa. It has certainly cleared my sinuses.

Creaminess shows up before the one inch mark calming the spice down a bit. I can taste the black coffee and the raisin and leather once more.
The cigar’s earthiness is a big deal on this stick. It is what gives this cigar some baseline character. Very rich and decadent.

The burn line sucks. It looks like rolling ocean waves. And as I write this, it corrects itself. Go figure.

The cigar, at this point of halfway through the first third, is full of spice and cocoa and creaminess. Following it is the earthy richness. Behind that is the sweetness and the raisin. Behind that layer is the black coffee and nuttiness; which has just come aboard.

The first third ends. As I begin the second third, I am waiting for something magical to happen to really make this stick something special.

I close in on the halfway point and the flavor profile; while very good, is static. Nothing moves or shakes. There is a slight bit of complexity. And the hefty dose of red pepper is still with us.

The cigar has a chewy quality. Fairly well balanced and with a long finish. I use the word, “Fairly” because the strength of the spice is a little overwhelming. And is not in balance with the other flavors. And the strength is still in the medium range.

The last third is upon me and the spice tamps down a bit…allowing the other flavors to embolden themselves.

I remove the band, and with it, some wrapper.

None of Stulac’s blends have this flavor profile. They are very unique. This cigar is not unique..good, but not unique. It is very typical of a Nicaraguan puro. So this whole operation might have been a lark for the two of them. Something for Peña to hand out to his circle of friends. And who wouldn’t want a cigar with your initials on it to hand out?

The burn line has gone back to being very wavy. The perfect char line lasted only a few minutes. But it seems not to need any correction.
The last third is the sweet spot on this cigar. The powerful spice component has dropped into the background allowing the wonderful Nic flavors to come forth and shine.

With just a couple inches to go, the cigar soars with flavors. Man, what a delicious cigar. The body has moved to medium/full. The flavor profile is extremely well balanced with a very long finish. It is a shame that it took smoking two thirds of the cigar before it really took off. That is my only criticism. I will keep you updated should this cigar be made for sale. I hope so.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS