Nomad C-276 | Cigar Review

By The Katman on January 27, 2015 • ( 0 )

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5 x 50 “Robusto-Box Pressed”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $8.75

Today we take a look at the Nomad C-276.

The founder, and president, of the company is Fred Rewey.

From the Nomad Cigars web site:
“With FIVE different filler leaves (and two Ligeros), the Nomad C-276 cigar is something flavorful and complex.
“I really wanted to push myself on this blend. I kept trying to add layer upon layer of complexity all the while making sure the flavors married well with each other.

“The name C-276 also has a back story. The “C” is for Concepción, one of two volcanoes on Ometepe Island. “276″ is the square kilometers of the island.”

The cigar is produced at the A.J. Fernandez factory in Nicaragua.

It made its debut at the 2014 IPCPR trade show and was released in August of that year. While a boutique brand, this is a regular production cigar.
Five sizes to pick from: 5 x 50, 6 x 52, 6 x 60, 6 x 58 and 5.5 x 44. Prices range between $8.50 to $9.50 per stick.

I’ve reviewed the Nomad Classic and the Nomad S-307. The line consists of the Esteli Lot 1386 which is now history. These three cigars are part of the Nicaraguan Collection. The Dominican Collection is comprised of Nomad Connecticut Fuerte and Nomad Cigars Classic Line.

All of the Nomads are beautiful cigars. This C-276 is a crisp box press. Tight seams. Only a few veins. My triple cap is a little sloppy and looks that after 30 minutes of Katman chomping is just going to slide off. There is a gap all the way from the sides to the front. But the saving grace might be that the back side is tight.

The semi-oily wrapper is a burnt umber nearly making it to dark coffee bean in color.

I clip the cap and find aromas of dark cocoa (what cigar these days doesn’t smell of chocolate?), spice, black cherry, wood, leather, and an aggressive earthiness.
Time to light up.

The draw is great with big plumes of smoke filling the room. Spice hits me square in the puss…followed by sweet dark chocolate, very nutty and toasty, buttery smooth, dried fruit, and a wonderful earthy, mineral tobacco element.

The Nomad C-276 starts this little adventure off at medium/full. The char line is spot on.

Creaminess joins the fold.

I’ve had the Nomad C-276 marinating for about 6-7 weeks now. And it’s showing off. Great flavor profile from the get go. Lots of spice and you know the Katman loves his spice. (That’s kind of weird talking about myself in the third person.)

The stick is solid, man, solid. Should be a nice, relaxing 90 minute smoke. Which will allow for me to add the dreaded rock n roll story at the end.
In case you ever wondered…when I open up my wallet and buy the cigar for review, it is my privilege to be able to entertain you (Or not) to the harrowing stories of a washed up, has been rock star. When I write for a sponsor in which I’ve been gifted samples; no anecdotes at the end. Just out of respect.

The Nomad C-276 is a pokey cigar. Lots of zest and enthusiasm. I would have used the word, “Spunky” but the meaning has changed since I was a kid back in the 1870’s.

I get a dose of Worcestershire sauce about 1” in. And a bit of smokiness. Otherwise, the flavor profile is on the same trajectory.
So far, construction seems to be impeccable.

A lovely sweetness appears. It is part fruit and part something else; like brown sugar. I have to smack my lips to discover that the fruit is what transitioned from an aroma to a flavor: Black cherry. There is also a slight hint of coconut milk. That’s a first for me.

The Nomad C-276 is quite the interesting cigar.

At 1-1/2” in, the flavor profile is very complex and I would have trouble organizing a list, in order, of the flavors…so what the hell, here goes: Spice, chocolate, creaminess, sweetness, fruit, Worcestershire sauce, coconut milk, cedar, leather, roasted nuts, toasty, buttery, and smooth.

The fruit transitions from black cherry to black currant. Black cherry is a lighter, fruitier taste. While the black currant is meatier and intensely sweet. The brown sugar is gone. Merely a wisp of the moment.

The second third begins.

Along with the new beginning, enters some floral notes. Lilac. Very subtle and nuanced.

Mind you, this is the first cigar of the day for me so I get to revel in all these wonderful flavors that chain smoking all day can diminish. It is one of the few benefits of being retired. I don’t miss work but I miss being very busy. That is why I bound out of bed each morning itching to sit down in front of my laptop to write a review.

As I approach my 65th birthday on Feb. 10, it makes me ponder about a wide spectrum of thoughts.
95% of my readers are much younger than me. But because of my music and my immaturity, I feel like a wise 35 year old. I know things now that I wish I knew back then. Although, I was always a pretty level headed kid. And yes, to me, 35 is a kid.
I look at a life smoking really good cigars for 47 years on Feb. 10. On my 18th birthday, I went to the local B & M and bought a good box of Fuentes. I think. My dad and his dad smoked cigars and I loved the aroma.
But I also ponder on the events I have witnessed.
Because of my wild and crazy lifestyle, I find myself lost. In the group my daughter hangs with I find it’s like talking to teenagers. When I am with guys my age, they seem to have given into the “old age” thing and I have nothing to discuss with them. The only people I can have a conversation with are musicians. Old and young. It has been the single thread in my life that even exceeds cigar smoking. From my first instrument; the accordion til now has been 57 years. 57 fucking years.

OK. Enough reminiscing. I’m behaving like your grandfather.

Back to the Nomad C-276. It has really blossomed as I approach the halfway point.

The cigar now possesses the “It” factor. That elusive complexity that makes the blend a high premium cigar. It will go into my best cigars of 2015 list when I compile it; even though, technically, it is a 2014 cigar. What’s a few months between friends. And besides, with my limited funds, I end up reviewing the new cigars 6 months later than everyone else. So my list is always The Top 25 Cigars of 2014-2015. If I was a nicer, less rude S.O.B, I’d have more sponsors and not have to buy a single cigar for review.

But that’s the price I pay for being honest to a fault. Big sponsors don’t like that. But the sponsors I do have…well, let’s just say they understand me.

This is a marvelous cigar.

I reach the halfway point.

And it’s screaming laughter.

The flavor profile has shifted a bit now: Worcestershire sauce, chocolate, creaminess, fruity, nutty, toasty, floral notes, a touch of butterscotch, intense sweetness, cedar, leather, vanilla, and buttery toast. And of course, very smooth and delectable.

The strength remains at medium/full.

Creaminess moves to the front, dragging with it the chocolate element. The Worcestershire sauce has diminished to the point of non-existence. By eliminating this particular flavor, the other flavors become bolder.

Now I can say that the Nomad C-276 is a spectacular cigar.

I begin the last third.

The Nomad C-276 is so complex that it puts a big smile on my puss.

The spiciness has moved to the back of the line allowing the other flavors to really shine.

The price point. Not cheap but not outrageously expensive. Based on the pricing range of other cigars to come out of the 2014 IPCPR trade show, it is a mere pittance. And since this flavor profile is near perfect for my tastes, the price is right on the money. Another manufacturer might have sold this cigar for a few bucks more. I can compare it to a lot of $12 sticks. And even the more expensive ones that aren’t nearly as good as the Nomad C-276.

I would love to own a box.

But alas, I must stick to a strict budget and along with most of you do my shopping on Cbid where I can get deals. The other online store I frequent is the Cigar Federation Store. In fact, that is where I purchased the Nomad C-276. But at almost $9, I could only afford one. CF is a great place to find all the new, and boutique, goodies.

The Nomad C-276 finishes out brilliantly. It will keep a smile on my face all day long.

Yes, I highly recommend this cigar. And kudos to Fred Rewey. Fred is a young man and if he doesn’t let the cigar industry drag him down like so many other brilliant blenders, he has a huge, successful future.

RATING: 92

And now for something completely different:

Hall of Fame drummer, Hal Blaine, was not only a mentor during my recording studio ownership days, but he was like your favorite uncle. He was going through his third divorce and forced (strange adjective) to live on his yacht docked in Marina Del Rey, Ca.

He liked to throw lunches and brunches for a few folks. And always had them catered. I met some real giants of the music industry this way. Everyone knew Hal and everyone used him. This man has a list of gold records a mile high.

On this day, he planned the soirée around me. He invited my heroes from the days of the L.A. Wrecking Crew’s most prolific era. Bassist, Carol Kaye. Keyboard player, Larry Knechtel (who went on to be a permanent player in the group “Bread.” But I never held that against him). And bassist, Joe Osborn.

I would sit for hours, as a teen, listening to my records and reading the album covers. I would be mesmerized by Simon and Garfunkel, Beach Boys, Mamas & Papas, and dozens more that this group of fine musicians played on. It was a known fact that Hal played on a few Beatles songs but I could never pry which ones out of him.

If you look at Ringo’s early set of drums and it is an exact copy of Hal’s early drums. Ringo wasn’t so dumb.

As the 5 of us sat on the deck of Hals’ yacht, munching away and drinking Bloody Marys, more people came to join the small party.

It turned out that Neil Diamond was a very good friend of Hal’s. And there he was, towering above me. Hal introduced me as, “This is Phil Kohn. One of the best bassists I’ve ever played with.”

I was stunned. Yeah, I was a good player but the accolade seemed undeserved; yet very kind. Diamond’s eyes widened and shook my hand vigorously. And then Hal told him he should consider me for his next album. I was shitting my pants. Diamond, who took Hal seriously, nodded.

Hal got me all kinds of session gigs in Hollywood. I knew how to read music back then. I’ve since forgotten how since playing in blues bands doesn’t require it.

Hal and me at my recording studio:

All the sessions Hal got me were big corporate TV commercial sound tracks. It was very simple and of course, the tune was never long than a couple minutes. It allowed the editors to use any part of it for a 10, 30, or 60 second commercial. It paid well. Although, I got scale. Hal made a fortune as he was always asked for. Hal insisted that I played bass.

I was beginning to make a name for myself in that world when the Eddie Munster project collapsed under my feet and the next thing I knew was that I was homeless.

We didn’t have cell phones back in 1983, just pagers and an answering service. I continued to get some calls but I was broke and driving from my home in Long Beach to Hollywood sometimes was a problem because of gas.

You see, your check for playing a session didn’t come right away. On average it took 1-3 months. It had to go through the Musician’s Union first where they took their blood money; and then cut you a check. And sent it to you when they felt like it; or so it seemed.

Hal’s circle of friends was mostly Jewish musicians. But on this day, of the 6 of us, there was only Hal, me and Diamond who were members of the Tribe.

Hal is old school Jewish. Not orthodox, but liked to go to temple and always celebrated the holidays. This particular lunch took place around Purim. So he had the famous Jewish deli in West L.A., Canter’s, cater it with a potpourri of Jewish delicacies. Including the Purim cookie called a Hamantasch. I was in hog heaven (Pardon the pun).

We sat in the sunny and warm California sun with a nice breeze coming off the bay. I was having the time of my life. Everyone told stories about their musical careers. I always loved to listen to other musician’s stories. Especially, the ones that could drop names like it was nothing. So I heard stories about Brian Wilson, Sinatra, Elvis, etc.

As the sun set, everyone said they had to be going. It was a delightful 4-5 hours. I was on Cloud 9. Diamond never called me for a gig even though I gave him my card. He was just being polite. But a recommendation from the most famous session drummer in the business had to give him pause.

I would have loved to make music my career but the ups and downs and rejections came so often it was impossible to stay financially afloat.