Hammer + Sickle Hermitage No. 1 | Cigar Review

By Cigar Reviews by the Katman on October 16, 2014

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Criollo/Ligero(Esteli)
Filler: Nicaraguan Criollo/Ligero, Seco, Viso (Jalapa)
Size: 5 x 52 “Robusto-Box Pressed”
Body: Medium
Price: $7.50

Today we take a look at the Hammer + Sickle Hermitage No. 1.
It made its debut at the 2012 IPCPR trade show.

Hammer + Sickle Hermitage No.1 series cigars are available in three sizes including Robusto (5 x 52), Toro (6 x 54), and Double Corona (7 x 56).

There are six different blends in the Hammer + Sickle line:
Moscow City Series, Berlin Wall Series, Hermitage No.1, Icon, Tradicion Serie, and Tver(Available only in Texas).

From the H + S web site:
“Grown in volcanic soil at the base of the Andes Mountains, the authentic Ecuadorian Habano Wrapper is silky smooth. The local farmers call this tobacco “cloud grown,” as the consistent broken cloud cover caused by the mountains protect the leaves from an overabundance of harsh, direct sunlight. This protection results in a succulent less veiny wrapper, which we believe is the perfect finish for the blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos that lie beneath.

“The filler and binder, often an afterthought in many cigars, are the heart of Hermitage. The binder is Nicaraguan Criollo grown near Estelí, and composed of 100% ligero. The filler is a distinct mix of Nicaraguan Criollo tobaccos including ligero, seco and viso all grown in the Jalapa Valley. This rich blend delivers the soul of the cigar, a trademark sweet earthiness.”

I got these cigars on a fluke. It is a 6 cigar sampler from Thompson Cigar I found through amazingcigarbargains.com. Six Hammer + Sickle cigars for $20. Now most of these cigars go for around $7-$8 each so that was a huge savings. I got two each of the Moscow City Series, Berlin Wall Series, and the Tradicion called the “Hammer & Sickle Super 6 Assortment.” Great, inexpensive way to discover H + S.

The cigar looks smaller than a robusto. I measure the length and it comes in at a scoche less than 4-7/8” long. I guess the box press creates an optical illusion. I don’t know…maybe I’m just nuts.

Man, this is one of the most rustic cigars I’ve seen. The very light colored wrapper lets every flaw show through loud and clear. Seams are fairly tight. The triple cap is on the sloppy side. Veins cover the cigar like a giant road map. This is an ugly cigar. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper is the color of a dry river bed with all the cracks in the mud intact.

The cigar is jam packed with tobacco and should burn slowly. No soft spots.

I do a quick search to see what other reviewers think of this cigar because I’ve been told this is an excellent cigar. I can’t find 4 reviews. I don’t know if that means this cigar isn’t worth reviewing or it is being ignored out of ignorance.

When I first started reviewing, I would read all the reviews of a cigar to get a leg up so I could look for all the flavors that the reviewer described. Now, I read them and laugh. It amazes me how many guys are reviewing cigars that have no palate. So mostly I am looking for background info that you might find interesting since I am NOT in the cigar industry and don’t have access to the big machers. (Yiddish for big shots-Make the “cha” sound like you are choking on popcorn).

I clip the cap and find aromas of spice (Makes me sneeze three quick times), cocoa, cedar, dried apricot, smokiness, and wood.
Time to light up.

First puffs are complex with notes of brown sugar, red pepper, dark chocolate, toffee, fruity sweetness, with a perfect draw.

Creaminess follows quickly. Chocolate is driving the bus at the moment.

The strength is classic medium body.

Some of the sweetness is derived from a combination of toffee and caramel. I can’t quite tell which one it is due to the unique quality of the flavor.

I am getting a chocolate cake doughnut with caramel frosting flavor. I like this.

I’ve burned less than an inch and the Hammer + Sickle Hermitage No. 1 is close to becoming a flavor bomb.

I bought a 5 pack of the Hermitage on a recommendation. I look at the Thompson Cigar page selling just the Hammer + Sickle Hermitage No. 1 and the photo is misleading. It shows the cigar with super military crisp corners. This is a soft box press.

But I found a cheaper 5 pack than Thompson ($39) at Cigarplace.biz. They don’t sell 5 packs but they do sell singles and boxes. I bought 5 singles at $7.05 each. So I saved $4 over Thompson. But warning…these are popular cigars. A lot of online stores are back ordered. So Thompson is a fall back option.

The second third begins.

The Hammer + Sickle Hermitage No. 1 became an uber flavor bomb 10 minutes ago.

Flavors are smooth and luscious: Caramel, chocolate, creaminess, dried fruit, cake doughnut, cedar, and a nice smokiness.

The char line is close to impeccable. No touch ups required.

The price point. By the box, everyone is selling them for around $140 for 20. But Cigar Place is selling a box of 20 for $120 bringing the price down to $6.00. I have seen the prices as high as $9 a stick. Is it worth $9.00? No. Are you getting a good smoke for $6.00? Hell yes!

I use Torano as my examples. Almost every blend they put out is in the $5-$6 range. High premium is not in their vocabulary. Given a choice, I would take the Hammer + Sickle Hermitage No. 1 over any of their $6 wonder horses.

The Hammer + Sickle Hermitage No. 1 is an earthy cigar with a flavor that can only be found in cigars blended by guys that really give a shit. Take the Torano line. They taste like no one is behind the wheel. They aren’t bad…they just aren’t that good. They don’t have the zing and oomph that this stick…nee, this whole line has.
I reviewed the Moscow City Series and the Berlin Wall Series. I still have one left to review: Tradicion Serie. This is a mild Connecticut released in 2009.

The strength is even keeled at medium body.

I’m very impressed with the construction of the Hammer + Sickle Hermitage No. 1. A perfect char line. No wrapper issues. A stout and hearty cigar.

The radio is playing “Mr. Tambourine Man” by the Byrds. I have my after review story now.

I hit the halfway point and I’ve spent 45 minutes with this stick.

This has turned out to be an excellent smoke. It isn’t a kitchen sink type of flavor profile but what it has is potent and delightful.

And then the moment is ruined by the radio playing “Hotel California.” I agree with the Dude. I hate the Eagles. But I’m not in a taxi so I’m safe saying that.

That chocolate doughnut flavor has permeated the entire flavor profile throughout the duration of the cigar so far. But then the caramel takes a turn and becomes butterscotch.

From a cooking web site:
“Caramel is typically made with granulated sugar, milk and/or cream, butter, and sometimes vanilla. The primary flavors of caramel are the sugar and milk/cream.

“Butterscotch on the other hand is made with brown sugar. Its primary flavors are brown sugar and butter. It typically also contains milk/cream but they are not as prominent as caramel.”

Now the doughnut reminds me of those long cake doughnuts with the butterscotch frosting. Can’t remember what they call them.

The last third begins and it has been an enjoyable experience. I like full bodied cigars but a nice mellow medium body is a nice change up. No swooning.

Once again, here are the flavors: Butterscotch, chocolate, creaminess, almonds, dried fruit, cedar, and that nice little bit of smokiness.

The Hammer + Sickle Hermitage No. 1 is a great cigar for $6.00. The only problem is finding them.

I still highly recommend trying the Thompson Cigar Hammer + Sickle Sampler for $20. You can’t beat the price and you get two each of three different blends.

I like this cigar. It isn’t an earth shattering blend but for the price, it was great. In fact, if you haven’t tried any of the Hammer + Sickle blends, it’s time you try them.

And now for something completely different:

1966
The rock band “The Byrds” was at their zenith. One hit after another. They had this gig at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach across from the pier.

It was a little dive that had pews for seating. Couldn’t have held more than 150 people and here was one of the top bands in the world.

Well you can imagine how hard getting a ticket was. Impossible.

So my buddy, Elliot Kushell, had an idea. We would pretend we were reporters for the Long Beach Press Telegram. We really didn’t think it would work but I called the club and asked if we could get comped.

An hour later, the call came from The Byrds’ manager who asked some questions and said we would be welcome.
We had fucking back stage passes for The Byrds!!!

And we were the only press there. We made phony press passes.

Now remember, we were 16. So we dressed the part. Now we were dressed up 16 year olds.

The band did three sets. The crowd was shuffled out after each performance.

I brought my Sony tape recorder that my grandfather bought me for my Bar Mitzvah. And I brought my Polaroid.
We hung out all evening with the band members who had a great time with us.

Before the show started, I saw the famous Gibson 12 string that Roger McGuinn played.
I asked if I could touch it and Roger nodded.

We were allowed in the dressing room where a lot of booze flowed. David Crosby borrowed my Polaroid and showed me a trick to get double exposures on the same photo.

I took a shit load of photos with it. And this cracks me up. My other camera was not a professional camera. It was a Kodak Instamatic.

So during the show, I walked freely in front of the band with my Instamatic taking shots.

Of course, I have no idea where those photos are now. Probably in the basement with thousands of other photos packed away in boxes.

We interviewed McGuinn for 45 minutes. Elliot asked some stunning questions while I worked the levels on the tape recorder.

Now here is the kicker. After the show which was around 1am, the band invited us to go party. We followed them into Laurel Canyon.

We go into this huge house and there was Bob Dylan with a guitar. Holy shit!

Unfortunately, he didn’t allow me to take any photos.

So we hung out with The Byrds and Dylan till the wee hours of the morning. There was a lot of weed being smoked. And that’s where I first smoked it. Same for Elliot. The 8 of us laughed all night as stories were told. It was beyond belief.

We were on cloud 9 when we left for home.

I wrote an article and submitted it to several teen magazines like Tiger Beat. I got rejected by all of them.
I wasn’t that upset. After all, the experience was what counted. Talk about the planets aligning!