Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Hybrid
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, USA
Size: 6 x 50 Toro
Strength: Medium
Price: $16.00
Released: November 2024
Quantity Released: 5,000 boxes of 5 cigars
This blend was produced by Hendrik “Henke” Kelner. Hendrik ran the operations at Davidoff for over 30 years.
My cigars received 3 months of naked humidor time.
BACKGROUND:
From Principle Cigars:
“We asked five distinguished master blenders to create the perfect cigar companion for a timeless record album, Nina Simone’s 1965 masterpiece, I Put A Spell On You. Aside from a 6×50 format, they had absolutely no restrictions.
“We are proud to present Boy Band Volume 1, a collaboration from five living legends whose collective work has shaped the premium cigar landscape.”
The five-count box contains cigars from blenders: Jose ‘Jochy’ Blanco, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, Eladio Diaz, Hendrik ‘Henkie’ Kelner, and Manuel ‘Manolo’ Quesada.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
Kelner is a good ol boy cigar-wise. He rarely misses the bullseye. And if you want him to blend a vessel with the pestle that has the brew that is true, you better cough up big dough.
Wrapper aromas are very faint: Floral, fresh lemongrass, cedar, and barnyard.
Dredging up airflow is impossible. I haven’t had to throw a plugged cigar away in years because I have my PerfecDraw. Not a tool on the market that can shine its shoes or sign a binding contract with intent to defraud.
The cold draw is full of cinnamon, black pepper, caramel, rose petals, candied lemon, and cedar.
On the surface, there are a million blends on the market with the Ecuadorian wrapper and Dominican filler. But none of them come from the fancy Kelner farms. Instant complex splendor. My palate widens. My vision narrows. My nose runs.
Brown sugar fills the sweet side. Smoked brisket fills the savory side.
At this early point, I can close my eyes and the Henkie can be any number of medium strength blends on the market. It doesn’t stand out. If you’re going to charge $16, it must be memorable in order to stand out from the crowd.
I bought a single fiver. Normally, I’d buy multiples of a review cigar. The themed packaging is very clever. I enjoy the work of all five blenders. This was basically an enjoyment purchase.
I smoked the Carrillo and the Diaz with two months of humi time…and nothing had my leg pounding the floor at 70 beats per minute. I don’t believe I’ve seen a single review.
For anyone that appreciates vintage rock n roll, this is a cool project. It would have been a spectacular project if the boys included a new set of D’Addario bass strings. $50 for 4 strings. Which is a deal when you compare them to upright bass strings. Minimum of $200. This the real reason bass players don’t break strings.
I chose to review the Henkie from the beginning. I’m a whore for this type of blend. If I think of it as an inexpensive Davidoff, this blend is becoming a winner. Construction exceeds excellent. The burn is at glacier speed…slow roll and perfect char line.
Complexity kicks in. Flavors are subtle. The curation of the leaves does all the talking. No surprise as the following fall into line: Caramel, mildly tart lemon, wildflowers, black pepper, honey, milk chocolate, cappuccino, coconut, and smoked beef sticks. The Sweet v. Savory is a perfect balance.
I finish the first half. A reasonable one hour. A very pleasant blend from the get-go. I am not a patient man. Age has made me grumpy. If it takes an inch for a cigar to plan its arrival, I sit and tap my fingers. The Henkie flew out of the gate. If the second half can maintain its erection, I’d love to have a box. But that would be impossible as it is a one off. Damn.
This is the archetypical blend from Kelner. Smooth to a fault. Luscious. Creamy. Flavorful. And rich to the nth degree. The perfect cigar for a fresh palate.
Kelner is the star of this five-piece band. A tease for sure and maybe a head turner for novice smokers.
The cigar keeps its interest level from start to finish. If you can find the Boy Band Vol.1, go for it. It’s only money.
RATING: 95
Discover more from Cigar Reviews by the Katman
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
