Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo ‘98
Binder: Brazilian Arapiraca, Ecuadorian Habano 2000
Filler: Nicaraguan Pueblo Nuevo, Jalapa, Estelí, Masatepe
Size: 5 x 50 Robusto
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $11.50
My cigars have had 3 months of naked humidor time.
BACKGROUND:
Regular production.
Debuted at PCA 2023.
Dalay Zigarren is the German distributor for Luciano Cigars. The two companies worked in conjunction to release this blend. In addition to the Dalay Nicaragua, the Dalay Istanbul was also released at the same time.
From the PCA:
“In addition to the Dalay Istanbul and Dalay Nicaragua, Luciano Cigars and Dalay Zigarren have plans to introduce the full range of Dalay Zigarren’s classic lines to the U.S. market by the end of the year. This will include the Dalay Dominican Republic Hell & Dunkel as well as the Dalay Honduras Hell & Dunkel, both manufactured at the Zaubergberg Factory in the Dominican Republic. The Dalay Nicaragua is manufactured at the Luciano Cigars Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.”
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
I found zero reviews of this cigar. Never a good sign. I’ve only had one other German origin cigar…the 2016 Rauchvergnügen #42. By German Engineered Cigars. The name alone should have had me running for the exit. That blend wasn’t so great. Cars, yes. Cigars, no.
But I’ve been patient…and now throw caution to the wind. I’ve stalled long enough. Time to light the cigar.
But wait, there’s more. I forgot to sniff the wrapper. (Doesn’t sound very woke). I smell nothing. Nothing. I’ve gone nose blind. Thankfully I don’t have a brother, or he might have experienced halving.
I try again. Floral. Faint. Cinnamon. Fainter. Vanilla. Fainter…and he’s outta there! Go D-Backs.
The cigar is a tad plugged. Do I stab the crap out of this cigar with my PerfecDraw…or do I wait and see. My tool begs for exercise. The PerfecDraw, that is. I tell it to sit. It complies.
Lemon. Notes of creaminess. Black pepper. Foie gras. Kidding. Cinnamon. Nicaraguan soil.
Not bad.
I tried two sticks before this testament to hypocrisy began. Not so good. Needs sleep.
It has a bigger sense of richness than complexity at this early juncture.
In today’s market, this is not an expensive cigar. The first Ezra Zion blend, The Collective. I reviewed it in 2014. The price was $10 nine and a half years ago. The fee went up to $11 not long after. It seemed an unreasonable purchase.
The cigar bursts through the border to the freedom of the west. Complexity hits ¾” into the smoke. Yeah, early in this cigar’s life, it showed no qualities whatsoever.
Strength initiates at medium/full. Very glad this is only a Robusto. Hallucinating is not a welcome agenda before breakfast.
Incursion of very complex notes as if a light switch had been flipped. Strength accelerates to full. The assortment of countries that donated to this blend’s construction are all the most popular leaves that smokers love in the 2020’s. It seems engineered. But good choices.
For under $12, this cigar is becoming quite impressive. The snausage is packed so the burn is quite the slow roll.
Nothing linear at hand. Each puff ramps up the complexity. The char line is as sharp as my stiletto heels.
You can’t make a classically trained violinist understand rock and roll. Or its culture. Except for a few exclusions, every musician I knew is struggling in their golden years. Many are forced to play past their expiration date. Some advertise private lessons. My mother was right. Get a degree just in case.
Licorice is a nice surprise.
Creamy. Lemony. Spicy. Chocolaty. Coffee-y.
Extraordinary blend. This cigar is a prime example that one must allow your sticks to sleep. I don’t think that I have an amazing palate. Seasoned, yes. But the same as yours. I just appreciate cigars more when they have aged. I can’t taste shit upon receipt.
Super rich. Spread out. More cheese. Nyuk (I left out two nyuks). I’m a victim of soikemstance.
The Germans got it right on this one. I’m married to a born and raised kraut. Stubborn as hell. They can start wars but can’t finish them. A massive flaw in their thinking. But they are fun to watch as they fuck things up. They’re on our side now so I’ll cut them slack.
Oddly, the impressive strength hasn’t blinded me. Yet, I must stare at the keyboard in order to type as signals from my brain have been altered.
I like this cigar a lot. I must try their Istanbul blend.
Once again, we find a reasonably priced premium boutique blend. The mixture of those leaves comes across with everything intact. The sweetness and spiciness of the Ecuadorian plants. The pungency and heft of the Brazilian Arapiraca. And the all consuming spectrum of Nicaraguan leaves makes this a nicely balanced cigar. The sweet v. savory equilibrium is perfect.
You must hand it to Dalay Zigarren. It is rare that a start up produces a great cigar that doesn’t rape your wallet.
This Robusto poops out at 90 minutes.
You should try a fiver. Let them rest, right?
Two of my sponsors carry the Dalay Zigarren line of cigars: Small Batch Cigar (10% off with promo code ‘katman’) and Luxury Cigar Club (15% off with promo code ‘katman’).
RATING: 93
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