Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Mexican San Andrés Negro
Filler: Nicaraguan, Cavendish Burley, Golden Virginia, Red Virginia
Size: 6 x 52 Toro
Strength: Mild/Medium
Price: $15.99
My cigars received 3 months of naked humidor time.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
You like pipe tobacco but don’t like the high maintenance of smoking a pipe. The dizzying array of so many different pipe tobacco blends. The high anxiety of worrying if you have enough pipes. The higher anxiety of how expensive pipes get. The dread of wondering if your pipes are of the highest quality. There is the fallen grace of cleaning and then rotating your pipes. The constant lighting. The hassle. Me too. I tried it for a year and gave up.
The aroma from the wrapper is very sweet. Obvious pipe tobacco.
Won’t need my PerfecDraw for the StillWell. Huh. Both names are two words pushed up against each other. Is this kismet. Or merely a coincidence. Stay tuned for blather.
I like how it starts…mellow and flavorful with soft spoken dialogue elements. First up is creaminess, vanilla, cherry, citrus, malt, nutty, buttered toast, black pepper, dark plums, and chocolate. Pretty much scanned the flavors of the pipe tobacco in this cigar blend. Nice. I don’t expect the profile to shift at this point. But now it is up to the blender to steer this cigar into the world of richness and complexity.
Very mellow. Not intoxicating and not strong. Pipe tobacco is a welcome addition to the cigar world. So far, a great introduction instrument for cigar smokers dabbling with the idea of smoking a pipe. Very cool.
The cigar has not reached medium strength at the first inch burned. In the right hands, mellow yellow is groovy.
I found, while diddling with pipes over 10 years ago, that the slightest bit of sweetness in the blend gave me a light headache. No idea why.
As the burn continues, the pipe tobacco begins to overwhelm the cigar tobacco. I must give some allowance for the cigar needing extended humidor time. I’m sure that 6-12 months of humidor time, the influence of Cavendish and Virginia will smooth out considerably.
In 2021, I reviewed the StillWell Aromatic #1. Gave it a 94. The Holiday Y2023 is identical except for the switch of wrappers. I reported that the influence was along the lines of 80% cigar tobacco and 20% cigar tobacco. Just the opposite is occurring now. The price per stick was the same as two years ago.
The qualities I look for, richness and complexity, are in the low end of authority. Again, time will really tell.
Only 3500 ten count boxes were released. Similar to the 2021 release…but that release went into regular production. No info if this blend will do the same.
Takes 30 minutes to burn 2”.
Strength is upped to medium. I detect nicotine. This does not surprise as the Mexican San Andrés Negro is the likely culprit.
Our palates grow in sophistication if we allow it to be so. I’ve been putting cigar to lips for over 55 years. The thing that keeps me going is that growth never stops. If we were to hit a wall in our relationship with cigars, we’d give up all hope and smoke Camels. So, if you’re wondering if stasis ever occurs, it does not.
Construction is good. The char line is quick witted and sharp.
The halfway point sees the proper incremental push as the first sweet spot develops inspiration. The strength is a bit light for my tastes. Jeremy Casdagli can dance on a pinhead with mild notes brilliantly. But then Jeremy is special.
There is one thing I don’t like about the wildly popular use of Ecuadorian wrappers…they are so fragile. It takes little to disfigure them. I’m having some issues. But then that’s why PerfecRepair Glue was invented.
The Aromatic #1 was a better cigar. Using an Ecuadorian Habano suited the alliance with pipe tobacco better. The Holiday Y2023 needs some oomph in its loafers. The strength goes back and forth between mild and medium. I could be having an aneurysm.
The sweet spot is a little anemic. Maybe more time…maybe not. The start of this cigar gave big expectations. The second half is not following up. The blend is approaching listless.
I check my 2021 review of the Aromatic #1. It saw a continual growth process that the Y2023 is lacking. The Connie wrapper should not be interfering that much. Not sure why I’m not getting the same punch to the kisser.
There is a dichotomy in play. This blend is perfect for newbies wanting to learn about both cigars and pipes. It doesn’t push. It doesn’t ask too much. Like a girl on your first date. The dichotomy is that while it is a nice cigar for learners, newbies don’t spend $16 for a cigar…unless they are in a B&M.
With 2” to go, I lose interest in the Y2023. I recommend choosing the Aromatic #1 if you like the guts of this cigar but with some oomph. I haven’t smoked the other StillWells, so I don’t have an opinion.
You can purchase this blend plus other Stillwell Star blends from sponsors Small Batch Cigar (10% off with promo code ‘katman’), Luxury Cigar Club (15% off with promo code ‘katman’), and Cigar Page.
RATING: 88
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