Wrapper: Dark Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Ecuadorian Habano
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano, Criollo ‘98, San Vicente
Size: 5 x 54 Robusto Grande
Strength: Medium
Price: $16.00
Quantity Released: Regular Production
Factory: Kelner Cigars, S.A.S. Dominican Republic

Klaas Kelner is the son of Hendrik ‘Henke’ Kelner. Hendrik ran the operations at Davidoff for over 30 years. Klaas worked at Davidoff until 2021.
My cigars received one month of naked humidor time.

BACKGROUND:
From Small Batch Cigar:
“The Avowed Team was on the ground within days of the Kelner Cigars, S.A.S. factory opening with the intent to create a truly gourmet cigar experience that exceeds expectations in every way. Each vitola was given their full attention and blended separately. The vitola name marks the date that it was approved and commissioned with their vow to take it into the world and see it prosper.

“Each New Dawn is wrapped with the highest grade of dark Ecuadorian Connecticut wrappers from A.S.P. and aged for twice the usual time to create a heightened experience for the discerning connoisseur.”

THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
This bears repeating:
The elephant in the room…these people are my friends. So, what do I do if I don’t like their new blends? The first thing that comes to mind is to make excuses every time I’m asked whether I plan on reviewing the cigars. When that plays out, I’d pretend to be dead…worked once. Simply, I wouldn’t review the cigar. I’d sooner they were mad at me for not liking their stuff rather than be ostracized for slamming their efforts in writing. People don’t remember praise, but everyone remembers an insult. Would I make shit up to make the cigar seem better? I can’t fake it. I can fake an orgasm. I can’t fake a review.

Oh man, the aroma is just intoxicating: Floralistic dream of roses, geraniums and dandelions, caramel, creamed herring, Almond Roca, cedar rooms, gurkensalat, and toast with fresh butter.

The airflow is a bit toady. This is my fourth stick and first time that the draw was not desirous. But I believe it will behave nobly once lit. I keep my PerfecDraw in reserve. My PerfecPunch came out to play as its 11mm punch is an absolute for getting a blow hole on this 54-ring gauge. It helps when the cigar is constructed well…if not, then not even a guillotine cutter is a reliable backup.

The cold draw is tangy. Like a root beer float…from the A&W Drive In of course. Notes of cinnamon, malty beer, loose caramels in a bag, red and black pepper, buttery breadsticks, and candied almonds.

Avowed Cigar Co. describes the following flavors: “Buttercream icing, Nougat, cedar, toasted almonds, French Bread, Honeysuckle.”

My hands shake as I bring cigar to lips. I was diagnosed with being old a few years ago.
Lemony crème and butter. Kwoka Caramel from New Jersey. And burnt ham rind.

I can shave with the burn line. But I don’t as it attracts wild dogs and old flames.

New Dawn also comes in 6 x 52 Toro size. For a buck more.

Vanilla makes its move. It is folded into the mix like ricotta cheese in a blintz.

When The Who hit the music scene, everyone loved them. The moment they began thrashing their instruments on stage, the public went wild. Well, not all the public. Musicians stared in horror. We all worked hard at acquiring our axes. It took me 6 months to save up for my Hofner bass guitar in 1964. And watching their gear being destroyed every show made us sick.

I was able to review The Vow and Awakening almost immediately after receipt…something I never do. But the message was amazingly clear, and blender’s intent shined straightaway. New Dawn wasn’t ready. I could hear Andrew and Dave panting in our communications. It’s nice to be loved.

No blender wants their cigars to be compared to the competition. When passion is part of the blend, it is taken as a slight. In the early stage of home humidor aging, I feel calm and relaxed when I say this blend is similar to Casdagli Daughters of the Wind. Something else a host of people won’t appreciate…I have had issues will all my Casdagli sticks in the last 6 months. I have been throwing away my DotW like confetti. These are not cheap sticks at $19 a stick. It feels like I’m ripping my heart out each time I see my hand involuntarily tossing these cigars.

The ash refuses to disembark the mother ship.

Strength is a lovely medium. I’m alternating between my morning coffee and water. I will say (I hear more panting) that New Dawn replaces my DotW from here on. Honestly, I’ve been looking for a replacement for 6 months. Nothing comes close to the richness I have always experienced with this Casdagli blend. I’ve reviewed 10 DotW variations since 2018. Their price points can be as much as $26. New Dawn is $10 less for comparable sizes. And the construction has been consistently solid.

Shortly after the ashtray pic, richness slams it home. Initially, the sly flavor points were all that were needed. Smooth and slightly exotic. Inch #2 begins a wave of complexity and transitions. Depth is on the cusp. I imagine this blend after 4-6 months of humi time. Fairies wear boots.

In the 50’s, all us kids were taught that nuclear war was imminent. We were schooled how to duck and cover. Even in grade school, we knew it was a fruitless tactic because we were shown movies of the destruction nuclear bombs produced. It was a constant fear that was unwarranted for children. Kids regularly had nightmares, headaches, and stomachaches. Our parents didn’t help much as we watched them build underground bomb shelters.

The first half was a polite introduction. All the sensory information was there. The veil was translucent about what was to come. I know the SBC boys well enough that putting their name to a proprietary blend means a lot…I trust them with my palate.

Strength is billed as mild/medium. It was certainly the case on receipt. Only a month in, the immediate half inch was indeed mild…but after that, it has been a solid medium. Another reason I prefer this to DotW. It takes the entire first half for it to let go and move forward. I’m being picky. It’s my job to be picky.

I have a vivid memory of the last time my grandfather visited us in Long Beach. It was 1969. He flew in from Pittsburgh for his bi-yearly trek. I remember clearly because my dad’s wife told gramps to stop smoking his cigar in their living room. The look on my grandad’s face was priceless. It was as if he was told someone died. He never visited my dad again. I flew to see him a couple times a year. We paraded the streets, smoked cigars, talked to the bookies, and had a grand time. My grandfather’s wife told him shortly after this that he could no longer smoke cigars in their home. It must have shortened his life…it would mine.

Construction is A1. The char line is indelible. Indestructible. Infallible. Doo dah…
Flavors from Avowed Cigar Co: “Buttercream icing, Nougat, cedar, toasted almonds, French Bread, Honeysuckle.” I add my two cents: Lemon buttercream icing, chocolate mousse, candied almonds, toasted French bread, honey gelato, caramel topping, cinnamon, white pepper, malt, vanilla, and cedar. A blend fit for any snob.

I’m tempting fate. I want one more photo, but the structural ash screams I’m a fool. My lap looks inviting to this thing of ours. Is it 50/50? I hope not.

Complex. Check. Transitional. Check. Richness. Flavorful. Check. Cubascent. Check.

The last third is always the test. Harshness can ruin everything. New Dawn continues its quest for the ultimate smooth treatise. Flavors intensify. Opulent richness. Like leaning into the air to grab that ring and not crashing and splitting your skull. In high school, I occasionally ran the carousel at Knott’s Berry Farm. It was so hard not to laugh like John Wayne Gacy each time I saw an adult go down for the count…for a 25¢ toy.

Not a hint of harshness. I secretly grab my PerfecDraw to use as a nubber. Nubs are terrified of being pierced in their final death throes. Muted shrieking and pointless pleas. I run roughshod over my PD. Dr. Rod has programmed the thing to use AI for Kurthy’s dream for world domination. He was diagnosed with being old 3 months after me.

Andrew Considine and Dave West did good.

You can purchase Avowed Cigar Co.’s New Dawn from sponsor Small Batch Cigar. Promo codes are not valid for this cigar. Sorry.

NOTE: April 12, 2025. It is morning and I’m smoking this cigar with my giant mug of coffee. Nearly a month later the cigar has grown in all important body. I love my Casdagli Daughters of the Wind cigars. They are perfect for a wonderful wake up call. But honestly, I’ve had constant issues with DotW’s construction. So, timing is everything. The Avowed New Dawn becomes even better with sleep and now replaces my Casdagli morning cigar. Give your New Dawns proper respect by allowing them to rest for 2-3 months and you’ll nod your head in agreement. The other best part…these sticks are several bucks cheaper than DotW.

RATING: 96

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: avowed cigar co, Avowed Cigar Co. New Dawn | Cigar Reviews by the Katman, cigar reviews, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, katman, new dawn, phil kohn, small batch cigar