Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Desflorada
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Size: 5.25 x 48 Robusto
Strength: Medium
Price: $15.00
Released: September 2024
Regular Production
“Aged for 1 year after rolling in Spanish Cedar before boxing.”
My cigars received 3 months of naked humidor time.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
I’m falling into a bad habit. I am reviewing the onslaught of new blends with similar leaf stats. I admit that I am a creature of habit. Like you, I buy what I think I will enjoy. Brash blends are OK, but they tend to taste the same after countless stabs.
The aromas from the wrapper are moderate and fall into line with others using an Ecuadorian overcoat: Floral, honey, fresh fruit, barnyard, caramel, and black pepper.
I excise my PerfecPunch from the gates of hell where it has its winter abode. It makes a lovely 11mm hole. The draw is as clean as my tushy on a summer day, morose from over polishing.
Sucking away like my years in Mumbai Central Prison for evading a courteous response from a drunken chambermaid, it is clearly evident my PerfecDraw won’t be needed.
I smoked a couple sticks a month in and then two months. Mostly a ho hum response from my festering palate. I saw a couple reviews and the guys loved it. I need to investigate further.
Very smooth start. Buttery, sweet, and creamy. My first band in the mid-60’s was called The Southern California Exposition and Protest Musical Aggregation. I ain’t lying. And we got the name on the kick drum.
It seems that extra month or two of humidor time made a difference. I am amused from the first moments. It is mildly complex, it spreads out like a warehouse full of cheese…with only one rat, and there are serious hints that I’m going to get my $15 worth of a good time.
My first sip of water and the flavor profile detonates: Sugar cane, caramel, cedar & oak, ebony & ivory, peanuts, hint of lemon zest, milk chocolate, nougat & cream, ollie & stan, mild black pepper, and honey. Despite this sounding like an ACID, the balance is 50/50.
Strength began at a robust medium. No futzing around with a lighter-than-air insipidness you often see when a blend is billed as mild/medium.
1965. Atop the Eiffel Tower. My first girlfriend, Frieda. I was the boy that parents warned about.
So far, the Saunter is jogging. I had to get that out of the way. Will it freestyle sprint? I hope so. I bought a fiver.
We skip ahead five years to 1970. Oh, how things change…
It’s early morning. And I’m indeed having a good time.
Is the Saunter unique? Not really. It doesn’t have a rare quality aura. It is solid without breaking new barriers. Blenders and manufacturers often don’t take chances. Much like the movie business…they discover what has mass appeal and they copy the flavor of the month. And that flavor is Fuente, Casdagli, and Davidoff. The once very popular AJ style blends are OK for the masses, but the elite smokers want depth, complexity, and constant transformations.
More sips of water expose a savory quality. BBQ steak, lavender petals, peanuts, licorice, malt, and vanilla.
Spiciness becomes white pepper. It could use a little more kick. But I’m henpicking.
The Saunter is in the same price range as just about everything on the market. Was there a secret cabal held at some isolated geographic location? Was it decided that cigars in 2025 shall only be priced at $15 and higher? I know what cigars cost. I’m making one now. Profits are huge. $59 billion in sales this year. It will double by 2029.
The cigar blend stabilizes. No new input. Transitionally, the blend pauses. Still very good. My enthusiasm stalls. I begin thinking of other blends with this stylistic presence I’d just as soon spread my budget on: Daughters of the Wind, Avowed Cigar Co. The Vow, Lavida Habana Colorado, Valacari The Messenger, Sobremesa Brûlée Blue, Black Honey by Warped Cigars, Crowned Heads Le Pâtissier, Principle Aviator Series 10th Anniversary, Arturo Fuente Hemingway Untold Short Story, Powstanie SBC22, and IGM Cigars Frog.
Medium strength does not waver. A great morning cigar with your coffee. No wondering why your mommy is staring at you from the corner pocket of your pool table. Pleasant encapsulates the entire experience.
Would I buy this cigar again? Sure. With promo codes, it’s in the $13.00 range. Nowadays, that’s a bargain. I heard from my friend in Europe, Georg Babb. He bemoans the cost of everyday cigars. It’s not extraordinary to pay $30 and higher for what Americans pay $10. This is the sole reason Cubans are so popular. Would you rather have a Ramon Allones Specially Selected or an Alec Bradley? Although, Bradley’s Fine & Rare is more than special.
The last bit of the cigar stays on course. Very often, a cigar lives or dies in L.A. in the last third. The Saunter keeps its head high. It finds its transitional center.
You can purchase the Gellis Family Cigars Saunter from sponsor Small Batch Cigar. Take 10% off with promo code KATMAN.
RATING: 93
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