Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut ~ Aged 2 Years
Binder: Dominican ~ Aged 3 Years
Filler: Dominican ~ Aged 3-5 Years
Size: 6 x 52 Toro
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $15.00
Quantity Released: Regular Production
Release Date: June 2022
Factory: Julián Sued & Compañía, Tamboril, Dominican Republic

My cigars received 2 months of naked humidor time.

THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
HW gave this cigar an 84.

Normally, I’d allow the cigar to rest for several months before putting quill to parchment, but with several years of aging already present, why not now? If I can’t tell where this blend is going, then I will turn in my membership card to the International Brotherhood of Cigar Reviewers and Boilermakers Local 666.

This cigar has been around in regular production for 2-1/2 years. It is a mystery how they are able to tap the availability of tobacco that has been aged for years. Is this cigar filled with tobacco that was farmed in 2022? Or is it the aged tobacco constantly being harvested as production requires?

Lampert, a mentee of Jeremy Casdagli, makes use of the Kelner farms whenever possible. And as such, I enjoy many of the Doctor’s earlier releases. This time, he used the esteemed Julián Sued & Compañía factory. This baby fills my need for what I love when I smoke a cigar. Ecuadorian and Dominican leaves and extensively aged prior to rolling. But this is not a morning cigar as the company describes its strength as medium/full. Naturally, I chose to review it in the early a.m.

It finds its price point smack dab in the middle of the golden circle: $15 before promo codes.

I found 6 written reviews. Not one describes the same cigar. It’s as if they smoked three different blends by three different blenders. The flavors described make the flavor wheel burst at its seams.

Starting with snorting big huffs from the wrapper, there is a moderate absence of potency. In the slight range, are notes of floral, milk chocolate, bakery goods, earthiness, and sweet raw nuts.

I grab my PerfecPunch from its hidden lair where I find it dressed up for the June ball wearing a fox stole, patent leather shoes, a nifty thin mustache, and a Members Only purse. I remedy the situation by declawing the beast and shoving it with gusto into the cap of my cigar. Faint screams. Spitting of tobacco detritus from its circular mouth which makes it look like it is horrified…and finally coming to rest in my Speedo drawer.

The draw is resistance free…perfect for greedy needs. The cold draw is baking spices, red pepper, malt, sassafras, sourdough bread, and maple syrup.

A heavy cigar that causes me to make deep gulping noises as it dangles from my blowfish-like lips.

A lovely start. Cinnamon doughnut dunked in black coffee, maple syrup, black pepper, and a fresh richness that has me longing for my days at Atascadero State Prison for the Criminally Insane.

I tried writing a song where the lyric could rhyme with Serengeti. I failed.

Sour tartness begins. If it retires to Florida and doesn’t become leader of the pack, it’s a good thing. A little orange juice with my coffee and stogie goes down well. The problem is that citrus can overwhelm the subtlety of a blend. I betcha’ it will give sweet release.

This blend does not swing for the fences in its early stage. There is nothing extraordinary going on as it moves from half an inch burned to the end of inch #1. It tastes promising but I’ve tasted this a million times. The trick for any blender is to zoom away from the mob and do something surprising. The track record of Lampert blends has been good, but not great. I reviewed the Oro Kingpin a few months ago and it was ordinary.

Inch #2 begins with less promise than its initial takeoff. But construction is good and the char line is sterling.

Caramel and banana find a way from cigar to brain. A short journey. The citrus relents. Fertile soil can be tasted.

In 1965, I was returning from Stratford on Avon and came right through downtown London on the way back to the hotel. A huge throng of girls and schmear of boys stood outside the London Pavillion for the debut of the film, “Help.” Who knew that 10 years later, I’d be making excuses for not opening the door quickly enough at the Tottenham Court Rd guitar shop to let McCartney enter the coolest headquarters for musicians. He smiled, winked, and said two words, “Thanks, mate.”

Wild berries. And slightly metallic. The blend is waffling waiting to pick a direction. The cigar has serious bulk and burns slowly which gives the blend time to breathe and expand. Fingers crossed. I smoked my previous sticks with food in my belly and they weren’t bad but not great either. This morning is live or let die.

Inch #3 douses water on the first third. I sense the blend’s mortal coil is touching the finger of brave Ulysses. In English, the blend is improving.

The nuttiness makes its move. Sweet Brazil nuts with a mild sweet citrus element, malt, and a hint of mint.

The mouth feel expands with a very subtle titivation.

I was only 24 years old. The night before the U.K./European tour began, I was tasked to be Sonja’s caregiver for her morphine withdrawal. Despite being a musician, this was the first time I was in the face of hard drugs. My charge was making sure that she injected methadone twice a day. When it began to wear off, withdrawal symptoms kicked in. For weeks on end, I endured this unwanted responsibility. I was young and was finally in the cat bird’s seat. I was touring England and the Continent…and getting paid handsomely for doing so. This happened a few years later with a different band. Addicts can add unwanted weight to a joyous experience. But once you enter the pro field of music, one is met with brilliant artists possessing serious demons.

I am now in full enjoyment mode with the 1593 Edición Blanca. Reminds me of the Casdagli style. It becomes ultra smooth in its approach. Does the blend need more than 2 months of home humi time or is the first third a wash? It’s a dicey biz when it is disclosed that the leaves have years of aging before being released into the wild. Sometimes you taste it but often you don’t. A prime example is the methodology of Ezra Zion cigars. Instead of tasting aged, their blends taste worn out. In the mid-2000’s, this company was exemplary. Now, every cigar has the name of a food. They lost the sophisticate trade.

The burn is rigid and orderly. I love the heft.

Skipping ahead…I walk in public…the first third ends with high hopes that the transitional quality will reward this user with a serious sweet spot.

If not for dissecting this cigar in a written epitaph, I would have much trouble with picking out flavor points. I’m left with the mantra of, ‘Is it good or is it ain’t?’

The key to winning a cigar smoker’s heart is the art of a cigar staying lit. I hate it when I must relight it over and over. More than any other issue, this one goads me into having a bad day. Often, an aged cigar will have tantric issues. This Lampert seeks to avoid being a laughingstock. I’m not laughing. I’m enjoying the shit out of this cigar. It took a bit to warm up, but now it is singing we are the world in 3-part harmony.

Creamy caramel, milk chocolate, malted milk, nuts galore, mint, cinnamon, a transition from black to white pepper, café au lait, rich Dominican soil, a moist touch, and honeysuckle. The blend is kicking ass. Strength moved from medium in its first half to medium/full without taking names.

There is an oaky cask element that pooped itself into my maw. From early so-so character to almost full tilt flavor bomb. Nice.

Also worth mentioning is that I don’t feel the need to constantly sip water. The cigar does not dry my mouth out as many cigars do. This is worth an extra point.

When one thinks of old loves, we see them as they were. Not as they are, looking like old men. Meanwhile, I look like an old woman.

The last third is a thrill. Of course, my definition is different than yours. My thrills include 1) Getting in and out of my underwear without falling down. 2) Not spraying myself with the Waterpik. 3) Waking up each morning and discovering I can feel my naughty bits. 4) Manscaping without the need for a styptic pencil…and 5) Explaining to the police that putting Gurkhas into their freebies was not a sign of disrespect.

The last third shows no signs of becoming harsh. It burns beautifully. Flavorful. Smooth as glass. Rich and refined. A good cigar.

If the cigar had started with a bang, I would have certainly rated the blend higher.

You can purchase the Lampert 1593 Edición Blanca Toro from sponsor Small Batch Cigar. Take 10% off with promo code KATMAN.

RATING: 94

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

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