Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6.5 x 52 Toro
Strength: Full
Price: $13.00
I’ve had my sticks laying prostrate naked in the sand for two months.
There is zero background information. It is a limited release as is the case every summer. No release data of cigar numbers could be found by me and my dog Shep. And I couldn’t find any reviews. Not a good sign.
Cigars were released June 2023.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
Subtle aromas of baking spices, cinnamon, black pepper, espresso, strawberry taffy, dark chocolate, malt, and cedar. Pretty standard for a cigar with these leaf stats.
I use my PerfecPunch & Stand to decapitate the cap.
The draw is spot on.
I taste toasted bagel slathered with salted butter. Must be hungry. Lots of fresh cedar notes. Butterscotch, black pepper, malted milk balls, white chocolate, creamy vanilla Greek yogurt (tangy), and carny pretzel follow in pursuit.
The cigar has some weight to it which is proven by a slow burn and razor-sharp burn line. Nice.
A lovely richness ensues quickly after lighting. Complexity is about to pounce. The spiciness of black pepper rests near the top of my throat while an interesting wasabi takes up residence on the roof of my mouth and cheeks.
Creaminess kicks in enveloping other flavors into a campfire circle. We all sing La Marseillaise and turn to the person on the left and French kiss them. (It is only 6:30am. I am not legally responsible for the shit I write). You thought I was going to say Kumbaya.
Less than half an inch burned, and complexity stakes its claim. Very nice.
Viaje was once a more consistent brand. Over the last few years, much less so. I don’t know why. But I also don’t know why I wake up with a crew sock on my wiener.
Strength is a solid medium. But me senses a tidal wave of power waiting beyond the breakwater, matey. Arrggh.
I miss the ocean. If you were fortunate to grow up on a coast, you know what I’m speaking of. I miss the smell. We lived 15 minutes from the beach. On a good day, the winds brought that briny aroma a few miles inland. I loved the smell one had when you got home after spending the day at the beach. I found it arousing when I was in my 20’s and had a live-in girlfriend. It was a great time to get naked and do stuff. Ahh…youth.
“Beast of Burden.” The Rolling Stones. Always one of my favorites. Back in the day, there were camps…you were either a Stones fan or a Beatles fan. People took sides.
Flavors prominently on display without shame. A big ol’ fat cinnamon roll dripping with icing rolls around my palate. I tried rolling around my palate once. It didn’t go well. I have photos.
I blew my knee out. Another meniscus tear. I am very healthy at 73. But my body is in decrepitude mode after seven decades on the planet. Shit just starts to fall off. I’m waiting for my nutsack to get caught in the door and lose that too.
The Flashing Thunder hits medium/full at 1” burned. 20 minutes. I love a slow-motion cigar experience…as long as I’m enjoying the fruits of a good blender.
Minutes later, the strength is upped to full tilt. I have almost 5” to go. Lots of whining ahead…just a warning.
“My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison. The man made an innocent blunder and was found guilty of plagiarism as the song sounded just like the 1963 hit “He’s So Fine” by The Chiffons. Harrison admitted having been influenced by The Edwin Hawkins Singers tune” Oh Happy Day.” It’s always something.
If you’ve lived long enough, you recognize modern country music as merely a flashback to 60’s pop music with a vocal twang.
The cigar. Right. Complex. Rich. Subtle notes flourish. The strength is tempered by the smoothness bestowed.
Despite the tsunami of hallucinations, this is a great morning cigar. The blend is not a flavor bomb. The flavors are light and fancy. The depth of richness does the rest.
1-1/2” burned. 40 minutes. My kind of cigar. Excellent construction.
Speaking of the beach, the only time I ever saw my impending death was being trapped in a cave at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. Me and two buddies were exploring. All three of us were relatively smart guys…but if we were truly smart, we should have known upfront that the time of day we chose to seek quietude was when the tide wasn’t coming in. My buddies scrambled up an 8’-0 wall to safety as the waves crashed like thunder. I was last. As I climbed, the waves tried to take me. They grabbed my arms and pulled with plenty of grunts mixing with the sound of rushing water. I thought they were going to let go. I screamed like a frightened girl. Obviously, I didn’t drown. But I thought that was it. My body was going to be found floating next to the seal exhibit two miles away.
Every puff exhibits complex notes that push the flavors down until they morph. The tobacco is rolling thunder. Oh. Now I get the name of the cigar.
Ever flash girl scouts selling cookies? Me neither.
The first sweet spot unveils its intention at 2-1/2” burned.
Cinnamon rolls, spiciness, graham crackers, A-1 Sauce, heavy on the malt, peanut butter, white chocolate, fresh cedar, and brioche bread.
A beautiful balance.
If the cigar was a bit cheaper, it would make a great daily go-to stick.
Pretzel returns.
The halfway point shines like a new penny. The first half was a tease. The cigar blend becomes a serious man. Maybe with a few more months naked humi time, the intensity might begin earlier. You just never know if a blend will become a barrel bomb after time…or slither into a watery cave and drown. A toss of the dice.
This is a shameless plug, but Andrew Considine of Small Batch Cigar is a sweetheart of a man. This is rare. Normally, guys in his position keep their distance.
The strength is mind bending. If you’re a fan of hallucinogens, and who isn’t, this is the cigar for you.
Despite being thrown into a time warp, the richness and smoothness overcome the LSD-like persona.
I find it amazing that there are no submissive qualities in the flavor profile. The sum of its parts meets its match. Both battling for air while enhancing the blender’s intent.
I’ve mentioned this before…in 1975, I was visiting the largest guitar shop in London called The Fender Sound House on Tottenham Court Rd. As a member of Curved Air, we had store credit. I bought several sets of bass strings and was leaving the store and as I grabbed the handle of the glass door, Paul McCartney was on the other side trying to open the door. But he couldn’t because I froze in terror. I had a death grip on the handle. Seconds passed and I returned to earth and let go. He came in and as he passed, he said, “Thanks mate.” I was speechless and hyperventilating on the street cursing myself for not being cooler. The man was one of my bass playing heroes. I smacked my forehead for years for not having the impetus to follow him and spew clicks and whistles.
The power lifts. My hands no longer feel leaden as I try to type. Swirling simbas let the richness envelop my palate. Nice cigar.
Even seasoned smokers will test their manhood with this blend. Newbies will be strewn in shallow graves on the horizon.
2-1/2” to go. 80 minutes.
This is an excellent cigar. Not a masterpiece. But I’m having a really good time.
Hot cocoa with marshmallows. Cinnamon streusel. Caramel. An array of spiciness. Peanut butter and blackberry preserve. Malt. Creaminess up to here.
The cigar finishes up at 100 minutes. Totally enjoyable.
Small Batch Cigar still has them. 10% off with promo code ‘katman.’
RATING: 93
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
