Wrapper: Nicaraguan Criollo ‘98
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6 x 54 Perfecto
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: Varies
My cigars have received 3 months of naked humidor time.
BACKGROUND:
Released August 2023.
“The three versions—Silver, Gold and Black—all feature a Criollo ’98 wrapper from Nicaragua’s Jalapa region, and are all composed of only Nicaraguan tobacco grown by Aganorsa Leaf, which produces the cigars for Viaje as well. Farkas says that the three blends are distinctly different, but they’re on the fuller side of the strength scale. Each cigar is identical in size, a perfecto measuring 6 inches long by 54 ring gauge. Each 6 x 54 Perfecto blend features a Criollo98 wrapper from Jalapa. All cigars were allowed to age eight months after rolling was completed.”
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
A bulbous cigar with some serious heft. Despite its whining, I ignore my PerfecDraw’s pleas to be useful. The draw is poifect.
Quite the start with notes of milk chocolate, malt, creaminess, and a most excellent dose of black pepper.
The balancing act between savory and sweet is exactly how my palate prefers its cigar experience.
Strength starts at a pleasant medium.
I choose to post old reviews, with recommendations of cigars you might want to re-visit, because it stems from me wanting to break up the occasional boring streak I find myself in. I always purchase at least a fiver before the endorsement sees the light of day. Yesterday, I sought my own counsel in remembering how much I like the entire line of Isabela cigars. If Charlotte finds out what I spent, I’m fucked. I’ll buy her some perfume.
Extreme richness. This is an unusual Viaje blend. It belies the simple Nic puro blend symptoms one expects. Only half an inch in and a wonderful complexity is in force. Because this cigar ain’t cheap, my stock is limited. Guessing when to review is always a roll of the dice. I did good this time. Stunning, so far.
I’d love to have a box. And I’ve barely started. I have the other three blends of the line: Gold, Silver, and Black. The Black I review today is an addition to the less expensive Black and is more limited in its release. Information on it is scarce. The Viaje website is a dark abyss with zero info. Cigar companies don’t talk to me.
Smoothness is a rare event that is somewhat elusive, but you know it when you taste it. I taste it now. It is a duck blind for the increasing strength as it moves to medium/full at just ¾” in. A lovely slow roll with pain ahead.
This cigar is about as far away from a flavor bomb as possible by law. It wreaks of the golden ticket we smokers seek out but almost never find: True complexity…without the need to wait for the second half before unveiling this sought out character.
These cigars are extremely limited in their release but can still be attained. If I purchase more, Charlotte will burn my foreskin at the stake.
1-1/2” burned. 30 minutes. Using my fingers, I calculate this will be a 2 hour cigar with an immeasurable number of stupid grins on my part.
I fear going to the dentist. My checkup was yesterday and not a single issue. My dentist was flummoxed that he couldn’t make a down payment on his kid’s college education with what he hoped an old man’s mouth would provide. I strutted outside. I entered the Middle Eastern restaurant next door and bought Charlotte some baklava. Take that you satanic medical professional.
“Thank You Falenttinme Be Mice Elf Agin.”
Chocolate. Creaminess. Malt galore. Nuttiness. Black pepper. Nougat. Limited flavors but oh so enjoyable. This is how a Nic puro is done.
Strength is a tolerable medium/full.
Linear looks the other way. Every puff sees complexity rise to the occasion. Beautiful.
The first time I got to second base, the chick had stuffed her bra with tissues. What are the odds.
Surprise double cigar bands. The black band is a ribbon and taped together. I spend 15 minutes removing it. I do believe the strength has risen to full tilt at 2” burned. 40 minutes.
Sure Seal Technology. Bullshit. No matter the expense paid for my humidors. The weather still affects the interior of these damn things. Humid weather and I remove my Boveda packs. Dry weather and I’m piling them on. I can’t be the only one.
I love this blend. I’m delirious from the power. My wiener looks like a mini–Tootsie Roll from leaving the window open. 19 degrees outside. And I’m having a blast. Bring it on.
Construction on this perfecto is perfecto. Crispy char line. No complaints. I can concentrate on swooning.
I read other reviewers and they are just so professional. I’m a hack. I don’t mind.
12 days later and I reach the halfway point.
The sun is out. Halle-fucking-lujah.
Before I joined Curved Air, I was accustomed to playing with comrades in arms. Pro bands have a whole different attitude. It is not about friendship. It is about delivering the goods. A valuable lesson for a 24 year old. This is why big bands see a huge change in membership. The most successful bands are ones that treasure the brotherhood concept. You don’t have to be the best player out there…you need to get along while touring and recording. Pro bands rarely show kinship or patience. An eye opening encounter that stead me well from that point forward.
The full cigar experience. Worth every dime. I will review the other blends because I must.
I am screaming laughter because this Nic puro is an out of body seminal occurrence. AJ can’t touch this. Farkas swung for the fences and the ball is still traveling.
The Velvet Underground. I think you gotta be a junkie to truly appreciate this band.
Not a single change to the flavor profile. Every note is canonized in stone. The complexity and richness find intricacies I didn’t think possible.
This blend is a sledgehammer. This cigar would find itself in the $40 price range by fancier brands.
WordPress is trying to sell me more expensive platforms. I come close to pulling the trigger. But why. It doesn’t attract more readers. I don’t need fancy. If you haven’t found me by now…it doesn’t matter.
The char line is as sharp as a razor.
I’m blathering. It’s the cigar’s fault.
This cigar has exceeded all my hopes. It crumples into obscurity at just over 2 hours.
If you have the dough, do it.
I plan on reviewing another in this line tomorrow.
Two sponsors carry this line: Small Batch Cigar (10% off with promo code ‘katman’) and Atlantic Cigar.
RATING: 97
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
