Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan Criollo 98
Filler: Nicaraguan Viso & Double Ligero
Size: 6 x 52 Toro
Strength: Full
Price: $10.50

My cigars received one month of humidor aging and several years of box aging.

BACKGROUND:
From Paul Stulac Cigars:
“Paul Stulac Cigars are hand rolled in Nicaragua at Las Villas Cigars under the care of master blender Guillermo Pena. We use the highest-grade long filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and around the world. The Paul Stulac line of cigars is prized for impeccable construction and complex flavors that will appeal to the most discerning cigar smoker.”

THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
Between 2012-2014, I reviewed 15 Paul Stulac blends. Every blend was a champion. It was time to revisit the Paul Stulac line while we are still in the waning period of paleolithic man. I would like to introduce Paul Stulac Cigars to those of you who may not have had the chance to partake. You can visit my reviews here.

Around 2016, Paul receded from the big industry pow wow because it required undying fealty to the Great Green Gobs of Greasy Grimy Gopher Greed. Where profits are everything and honesty is a passing phase. Paul has never looked back. His business thrives more today than yesterday. Paul is a man that does not suffer fools. Paul is a serious man. And yet he still considers me a friend.

Paul works from his home in Canada producing not only the blends I fell in love with, but exciting new blends as well. He still maintains an office in Miami. While I maintain an office in Mayberry.

I was a man on a rampage when I reviewed the White Blinding Light in 2013. I smoked these cigars two at a time. I consumed each release like it was Hanukkah, National STD Observance, and Christmas combined. I bought my 2024 WBL sticks from Cup O’ Joes a month ago. I’ve not purchased cigars from this online retailer in the past…but the whole gamut from roaming the webpages to shipping and receiving went better than I could hope for. It took 4 days for my cigars to arrive.

My WBL cigars have years of box aging as shown in the sunny side up cellos. I didn’t allow my 2010’s cigars much humidor time because they simply didn’t need it. Extended sleep makes them even better. The blender’s intent is there for all to see with no restrictions to class or level of sophistication. There is no guarantee that if you should purchase PS cigars from Cup O’ Joes, that you will get the level of aging I was fortuitous in receiving.

With a meager month of humidor time, I begin the review.

The pronounced oils in the Ecuadorian Habano Maduro’s wrapper enhances the cigar-to-nose experience. Fatty notes of floral, honeysuckle, grape jam, peppery spices, dense mushroom, and buttery and salty Ritz Crackers.

The draw is bonkers good. Exactly the resistance I want and need. I thrust my bored PerfecDraw into a cantaloupe to keep it happy. I tell the PD tool not to throw the melon away. I have needs.

How do you not stare when a German super model decides to change clothes in the band’s dressing room. How do you maintain being a gentleman while leering from the other side of your mouth? If I’d known this would happen, I would have spent hours enthusiastically passive at band rehearsals while Sonja did it. Super models are cool. Female rock stars, not bad either.

I love how the WBL scolds me at the front door. A tease. Immediate notes of sweet tobacco and mild black pepper…with a weighty tobacco cypher in the early stages of promising complicated conclusions.

The cigar is built like a shit brick house. I’ve reveled in never having to question the construction of a Paul Stulac cigar.

If you were in a cover band from 1966-2010, you had to include Jimi’s “Red House” in your set. It was not an option. It was the only song in which every bass player preternaturally closed his eyes and just grooved.

Speaking of a slow groove, the WBL moves like a slow and graceful marmot about to spread its wings.

An inch in. The treasure chest opens. Honeysuckle, milk chocolate, mild red pepper, and New York egg cream. 11 years ago, I declared that I got the fizzy delight on my taste buds from the WBL. It hasn’t changed. The egg cream is Fox’s U-Bet chocolate flavor syrup, cold whole milk, and Three Stooges seltzer water.

Once a psychic snapshot of a NYC kosher deli is in your head, it is impossible to send it on its way.

Flavor arenas are fanning as I remember Mussolini’s famous quote on his last day in office: “Anyone got a cigar?” It’s like sticking your hand into the bottom of your Cracker Jack box and retrieving two prizes. It’s that good. If you’ll be my Dixie chicken, I’ll be your Tennessee lamb.

Tasty notes are subordinate to the richness of this beautifully aged cigar. I rarely allowed my early reviews to see more than a month or two of home aging. Was I impatient or was I entranced by the wizardry of the Stulac?

I signed several recording deals under duress. I was brought into the managing director’s office…which is very intimidating for a young musician. And then I was handed a pen while the Suit told me to sign a 30-page contract. I asked to read it, but the mutter futter was tapping his foot and making sounds that oozed impatience. So, being the awestruck kid I was, I shrugged and sold my soul to the devil. I got a little smarter later. Not much though…

Here goes: Egg Cream, smoky meatiness, cumin, honeysuckle, jalapenos, a rich earthiness like the sands of the Gobi, maple butter, green bell pepper, and warm chestnuts from a vendor in Marylebone.

Flavors are subtle. The richness of the blend is not. I’ve barely gotten past the first third. 45 minutes to get here. Slow hand.

You have to finish every sentence with ‘y’all’ to be able to play Free Bird.

I tap out from my drivel so I can finish the first half. I want only my tunes and my slow-moving heartbeat to be in my ears while I savor this light blinding cigar.

Paul sent the following info to me. This is what happens when you try to sell a cigar in Canada. “Plain Packaging: Death of the Cigar Band In Canada.”

Smooth nuanced flavors. Blended with the forethought of being slyly finessed. A perfect salutation between savory and sweet. Yeah, sly best describes this blend.

This is one of the best cigars I’ve smoked.

The second half begins with a flourish. It’s going to get better. It’s because I know things.

Based on time with the first half, this will easily be a 2-1/2 hour cigar. It’s everything I had hoped.

The excitement rages as I do myself a solid and let the cigar rest for a couple minutes between puffs. My hand trembles as I bring the cigar to lips the same way it shakes when I pass a $50 bill to the McDonalds cashier. And receive no change.

You had to be there. In the late 60’s, bassists were blown away by Jack Bruce and Cream. I traded my Hofner for a Gibson EBO…Heeere’s Johnny.

Please don’t buy any of these cigars from Cup O’ Joes. I want them. They’re mine. I’m giddy from this cigar blend. Call me Giddy Lee.

Charlotte and I saw Joe Bonamassa at The Riverside Theater in Milwaukee. The sound sucked. And Joe was pissed off that the place wasn’t sold out. Joe was pissed off that keyboardist Reese Wynans chose to play that night with The Fab T-Birds in Miami instead of with him. Joe played like he was pissed off. Never again.

If you don’t introduce yourself to Paul Stulac cigars, well you are no friend of mine. If you don’t take the easy step to try Paul Stulac blends for the first time, you are a silly goose. For only $10-$12, you will not find a better cigar anywhere. Paul Stulac…a dying breed. A breed that produces the best cigars money can buy. A breed that isn’t looking to gouge the shit out of you…just because they can.

Paul has a new blend on the market. It’s called Post Script San Andres Toro and Post Script Habano Toro. It is a $6.59 stick that comes in bundles of 20. I will be reviewing it shortly. They can be bought from CigarChief.com. They are a Canadian online retailer that also sells to the U.S. market.

A full tilt cigar that is easy on the brain. Zero harshness.

Look for my upcoming review of the Paul Stulac Red Screaming Sun.

You can purchase White Blinding Light from non-sponsors Cup O’ Joes, Cigar Chief, Privada Cigar Club, and Bellhop Cigars. Tell these good folks that I sent you.

RATING: 98

Interview (2014) with Paul Stulac (Master Blender) – 10 Questions from the Katman:

Q: Things have really blossomed for you since 2012-2013. Your smoking audience has expanded 100-fold over the last couple of years. Did you do most of the leg work? Or have you added a staff of 50 people to help promote and rep your cigar line?

A: Things really did ramp up for us in the last year or two. Not sure if
it was a “hundred fold” but yes we did gain some nice exposure which led
to opening several new accounts and increased loyalty from existing ones.
I was very pleased with having work piled in front of me so didn’t hire 50
people by any stretch of the imagination. When you start out doing this
you are basically unknown and sometimes feel like your only job is to
stare at the phone and wait for it to ring so at this point the extra work
load is very welcomed. Hiring fifty people would bring back memories of
contacting your whole client list before the morning coffee break. In all
truthfulness we are happy to deal with everyone on a one on one basis
whenever they need us. It’s a good feeling for people to know who they are
speaking with when they call. Perhaps the day will come when that is not
feasible but for now….i gotta go and sweep the floor!

Q: You haven’t added a new blend since the No Dress Code and Lord of Albany in late 2013. Did you take anything new with you to the 2014 IPCPR Trade Show?

A: The only new thing we did in 2014 was the No Dress Code line which is
cigars rolled and immediately shipped fresh to the retailer. They have a
date which reflects the sick period of the cigar and thus tells the
customer to smoke before a certain date or after a certain date when the
cigar begins maturing slightly and ages from there on. It was done in a
Torpedo vitola to start and is now being offered in a Toro.
I have never been one to believe in releasing things just for the sake of
releasing something new. I don’t judge any other companies for doing so by
the way…it’s just something that has become one of my core principals.
The No Dress Code is my forum to play with new stuff without an official
grandiose launch. Right now its freshly rolled stuff…next week it could
be a blend we want honest feedback about before marketing and packaging
come into play. It is our platform for taking a concept and seeing what the
feedback is on an honest level…hence No Dress code. Stripped and
honest!

Q: I’ve seen your product in a lot of online stores now; both big and small. You must be cranking out cigars like crazy now. What is your output?

A: I never discuss output but not for the reasons people think. Usually
it’s about confidentiality etc. In my case I found when I was talking
publically people were forming judgments that we were “too small” so can’t
possibly be getting premium materials or “too large” and quality will
surely suffer. I prefer people to smoke our cigar and enjoy it or say hey
that’s not for me. I don’t like preconceived notions that run so rampant in
this industry nor am i into the false claims that take place. I believe
that has calmed down in the cigar world in recent years…which is very
nice to see and good for the end smoker who can get an honest
representation of a given cigar and base their own opinion on what they
are smoking. I truly live by the motto stated in our ads…No tales of
tobacco fields, no 100 year traditions and of course NO PRETENCES.

Q: Which line sells the best?

A: That’s a tough question in that people initially go to the Classic blend
as a general rule because it’s our entry point. However once they become a
fan they automatically want to sample the White Blinding Light which they
hear about so often because we get so many write ups, etc. for that line.
Then it’s a matter of wanting to explore further with Red Screaming Sun or
wanting to be a smoker of the line but needing something mild for their
palates and going to Black Midnight Fire. I’m very fortunate in that we
have not had to discontinue anything since starting 3 years ago. I think
that has a lot to do with what I said earlier about not releasing stuff
just for the sake of needing or wanting something new. It can be
frustrating when asked “what’s new?” And having to respond “nothing right
now” but Im really focusing on the smoker who is looking for a true stick
to what works cigar with not too much cake decoration that distracts them.

Q: Have you increased the amount of B & M events over the last year?

A: Events have taken place however we are focusing on events from B&M’s
that want to really focus on the brand for the long term as opposed to
going into an event tonight and making friends and then being forgotten
about tomorrow when the next event for another brand takes place. I live
for loyalty…and that goes both ways.

Q: Can you please give me your top 3 favorites and sizes?
A: Blondes, brunettes and redheads from skinny all the way up to plus size
women are all great.

Q: The one thing I hear a lot is that smokers have trouble affording a $12 stick. This year’s IPCPR exploded with $10-$15 sticks. What happened to the $8 cigar? I’ve given this trend a name: IPCPR Fever.

A: The $8 cigar and what happened to it? Well that’s a great question that
I could go on about for hours but I won’t. In order to do a premium cigar
which the educated consumer of today is looking for is very difficult to
do. Raw materials are at a high and quality rollers are in demand. That’s
the main reason but there is also the unfortunate need for excess
marketing and promotion. I love marketing, i love events and I feel it’s
important to give samples to people but these things cost money and the
industry i have to believe is feeling it and can’t possibly offer ALL of
the above and not have prices be affected.
That being said we will be lowering our prices pretty much across the
boards for 2015. It’s something I always wanted to do but needed to
increase volumes in order to do so. We have done this and are ready to
make PS cigars more accessible for everyone to enjoy. I’m very proud of this
accomplishment as i always wanted to have the cigars to be more attainable
but refused to let quality be compromised because it would be all for
nothing if I did.

Q: Are you still working crazy hours? Do you ever sleep?

A: Define that word “sleep” please? No clue what that means

Q: Have you expanded to the point that you have been able to add upper management help?

A: See above in answer 1

Q: And finally, do you have a 5 year plan; and if so, what is it?

A: Like anyone I have plans and goals for the future however this
industry seems to be going through rapid and drastic changes as of lately
so it’s hard to make concrete plans. Concrete is tough to tear down and
make changes to but therein lies the beauty of being small and “boutique”
…we can make changes as needed without long delays and quickly shift
focus to what the consumer is looking for as trends change. Paul Stulac
Lord went from a phone convo with a retailer one afternoon suggesting a
Lonsdale size to 500 boxes coming from concept to rolled (not aged of
course) boxed and packaged in about 4 weeks. Being small definitely has
its challenges but we always try to focus on the benefits it provides us
in giving the smoker what they want on any given day as best we can.

Thanks Paul!

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: cigar reviews, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, katman, paul stulac cigars, Paul Stulac Cigars White Blinding Light Toro | Cigar Reviews by the Katman, phil kohn