Wrapper: Dominican
Binder: Mexican San Andres (Barrel Aged)
Filler: Undisclosed (5 Different Leaves)
Size: 5 x 54 Robusto Extra
Strength: Medium
Price: $10.00
A close friend sent me the cigars. They have had several months of humidor time.
BACKGROUND:
Sanjay Patel owns a B&M in New Jersey. He was able to obtain the services of blender Eladio Diaz. Diaz spent years with Davidoff as head of quality control. He now has his own factory and is co-founder of The Freud Cigar Co. I reviewed the Agape and loved it. Not cheap. But worth it.
300,000 cigars each for the 4 sizes was released in January 2023.
The Black comes in four sizes ranging from $9-$12.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
I do find something strange in two sizes…there is a Robusto at 5 x 50 and a Robusto Extra at 5 x 54. That is 4/64” larger than the 5 x 50…or 1/16” Ø bigger. Which translates into 1/32” around the circumference. Why? You can’t measure that unless you have a pair of digital calipers. Does the extra 1/16” make the cigar better? I’m sure there is a logical explanation. I need to call my ex-Mossad contacts to see if something nefarious has happened. I will have the answer at the end of the review.
Very potent enticing aromas include floral notes, cloves, baking spices, dark chocolate, espresso, malt, cedar, and cinnamon.
The cigar is a bit light in the loafers and has a wide-open draw. My PerfecPunch did its usual good deed and opened the cap like a champ.
Opening notes are black pepper, creaminess, cumin, and charred meat.
Dr. Rod had a lovely day yesterday and said that Andrew of Small Batch Cigar is a great hang.
There is no bang at the start of the cigar. And I found not a single cigar industry review touching this cigar. Uh-oh.
The flavor points are devoid of any interest. Black pepper reigns supreme. A bit of creaminess…and a lot of hay.
Considering that Patel obtained the services of a renowned blender to produce this cigar, I am sitting here in disbelief that at 1” burned (10 minutes), the cigar tastes like a $3 no name bundle cigar.
Extended humidor time ain’t going to make any difference. A real shame. I had high hopes based upon its pedigree.
I don’t watch video reviews on YouTube because I’m tired of hearing how impressive the smoke output is…and that the cigar is redolent with flavors of earth, wind, and leather. I’m guessing they loved the cigar.
I don’t understand. This cigar has 7 different leaves in it, and it has zero complexity, zero depth, not a sign of rich flavor points, and the low-level construction allows it to burn like a cigarette. Damn.
As the cigar rushes to its demise, I sense there is a child screaming to be heard underneath all the rubbish. The mustiness is developing into the major flavor point.
No changes with 2” burned. A linear journey that is hardscrabble. It moves along like it is a traveler trying to escape the 1930’s Dust Bowl.
Most smokers have never read a single online review…written or by video. I know this for a fact as I worked in a couple cigar lounges in the early 2020’s. Not one customer knew reviews existed. Not one. Cigar reviews are such a narrow niche that one day they may become obsolete. I do it because I enjoy it. But for the huge smoking public, we are mostly invisible. This is why God invented Cigar Aficionado magazine.
The halfway point arrives with no fanfare. Nothing has changed. I’m just killing time now. The cigar isn’t going to suddenly come to life. It’s a dog. A waste of money. And a shameful project for Eladio Diaz. There is another blend by the man, and I have it ready for review but I’m not going to waste my time.
I read Cigar Coop’s review of this other blend and to quote him, “…the one thing that the cigar didn’t produce was a “wow” factor.” It was the only written review of this brand I found. And since the cigars have been around a while, it doesn’t bode well for any future reviews. A huge stumble for the manufacturer. I betcha’ a buck that the regulars at Sanjay Patel’s B&M love it.
The second half is a little better. The mustiness disappears. I guess that counts as “a little better.”
Still, the only flavors are black pepper, creaminess, cedar, and lust for a better blend.
I’ll smoke this horse with no name down to 1” left. It’s in my contract.
Strength moves to medium/full with 2” to go.
I don’t think this cigar review is worthy of the photo of Andrew Considine and Rod Kurthy so I will plant it again in a later review that I know will receive more interest.
If the price point was anything more than $10, I’d be in excoriation mode.
What a waste of yours and my time. I apologize. I only had one stick and gambled that it would be a great cigar for a fair price.
On the upside, I’m listening to Cream. It keeps me from David Carradining myself. There was never any reporting that said whether the man got off before he choked to death. What a miserable way to go. Imagine being found hanging with your wiener hanging out.
OK. 1-1/2” to go and this cigar finds its way quickly to the trash bin.
Wow. What a disappointment.
RATING: 70
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
