Wrapper: Ecuadorian Cameroon 2009
Binder: Nicaraguan Criollo ‘98
Filler: Nicaraguan Criollo ‘98
Size: 5 x 50 “Robusto”
Body: Medium
Price: $6.00 by a 10 count Box

Today we take a look at the brand new Latitude Zero Experimental. The follow up to the Latitude Zero which I have reviewed here. It was an excellent cigar.

The first thing I notice when I go back to read my original Latitude Zero review is that was a medium/full bodied cigar while the Experimental is a medium bodied stick.

I bought a 5 pack from Cigar.com prior to their release on their One Day Deal. I paid $28. So I saved a few shekels over the released price.

The tobacco comes from the highly lauded Oliva Tobacco Company. Not to be confused with Oliva Cigars.

Like the original Lat Zero, it has a billboard sized cigar band…making it difficult to see the entire cigar.
I slide the band off in order to get a good look at the stick.

The cigar is very rustic looking. The wrapper is a light brown, smooth and silky, with tight seams and lots of small veins. The single cap is expertly applied. The stick feels light in the hand yet there are no soft spots.

I always am highly doubtful about a cigar when a lot of attention is paid to the presentation; i.e. the giant billboard sized cigar band. What is it hiding? Clearly gingerbread foo foo is there to attract the more inexperienced cigar smoker. Although, the original Zero proved me wrong in that mind set by being a very good cigar.
Fingers crossed.

I clip the cap and find aromas of sweetness, spice, cedar, and cocoa.
Time to light up.

First puffs are very earthy and sweet. Baked pie crust with pumpkin as its filling. Cocoa shoots out of a cannon. There is a very woody element. Red pepper begins to coagulate and sees itself as becoming a third world power.

Creaminess appears. Is there no stopping Godzirra?

The Latitude Zero Experimental reminds me very much of the La Aurora Escogido Natural but this one has more spice.

It is an excellent omen that the cigar is blasting away with flavors this early in the game. A portent of good things to come.

The ash is sturdy at the ¾” mark.

I’ve had this 5 pack for less than a week. I did my Dry Box technique and added leaving it out the night before the review. I forgot to mention that on my blog. But good buddy Patrick Hosler said he did that in a comment on my Dry Box post and I went “Du-0h!” I do the same thing but forgot to say so. Thanks you Patrick because it is a very important factor in quickly readying cigars for smoke.

At the 1” burned point, the cigar is a bona fide flavor bomb.

I see on Cbid that the Latitude Zero Experimental is going for $3-$4 a stick but with still a couple days to go. Anytime a cigar is new, the idiots on Cbid end up bidding the retail price. Wait a month, and you will be able to get this stick for no more than $3. But I did notice a box of 20 robustos was going for $34 and ends tonight.

Here are the flavors: Creaminess, RED PEPPER, cocoa, cedar, pumpkin seeds, something fruity..like me…and a touch of leather. Limited but resourceful flavors.

My only criticism at this point is that the cigar is not jam packed making it burn faster than I had hoped. But the light in the hand comment put the fear of God into me that this would happen. I do believe the original Zero was packed better and smoked slower.

Meanwhile, I think this is a very good follow up to the Latitude Zero. More of a pepper bomb yet still possessing a very good flavor profile.

The fruitiness is just not me..it is caramel mixed with apple.

This is an apple pie Betty. Caramel meets toffee. The flavors are explosive. A totally different blend than the original.

The flavor profile is making me crazy. I want another one right after this one.

I don’t have to finish the cigar to highly recommend this cigar. It ranks with the boutique premium blends and could have gone for $7-$8. The most expensive of the sizes is the Churchill and goes for $7 in a box of 10. But if you can snag a 5 pack or a box on Cbid, that’s the way to go.

I’ve discovered a real gem here. My gut told me, without any information, that I should grab a 5 pack on Cigar.com’s Daily Cigar Deal for $28. I really liked the original. And I have to admit the word, “Experimental” pricked up my ears.

The halfway point is upon me. The ash is tough and has not needed a single touch up.

Because this is a relatively fast burner, I would go for the Churchill or Toro next time. The flavors are unbelievable.

Here are the flavors one last time: Creaminess, spice, caramel, toffee, pumpkin, cocoa, brown sugar, floral notes, cedar, leather, and root beer.
LOL. What a strange mix of flavors.

The first four flavors listed are twice as strong as the latter flavors. I don’t know when I’ve smoked a cigar with this much intensity before. And they started like a horse out of the gate.

I am definitely going for a box of these but not today. Must wait for my social security at the start of next month.

I now get a touch of black licorice.

The strength has moved from medium bodied to medium/full now that I am in the last third.

If the Latitude Zero Experimental tastes this good at less than a week, I have no idea what it will taste like in a month or longer. Spectacular.

The cigar reaches its level of complexity. It has a very long finish. And is balanced perfectly.

I really liked the Latitude Zero but I love the Latitude Zero Experimental.

I have no idea who the blender is as there is no information to be had except on the CI and Cigar.com web sites and they ain’t spilling the beans.

Just go get some. Thankfully, it is a regular production cigar.
One last thing about the Latitude Zero Experimental…Zero nicotine.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: cigar review, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, Latitude Zero Experimental Cigar Review