Wrapper: Undisclosed
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed
Size: 5.5 x 46 Corona Gorda
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $17.00
Released: June 2025
Quantity Released: 500 boxes of 20
Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Nica Sueño S.A. in Estelí, Nicaragua

My cigars received one month of naked humidor time.
SBC is an acronym for Surrounded by Champions. A regular yearly release since 2016.

THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
If you look closely at the photo above, you will see that this is a barberpole cigar. As everything about it is undisclosed, it is a complete mystery.

I was a fan of the SBC 22 when I reviewed it in February 2024. I rated it 98. The price has remained the same. Not a deal, but gouging is in absentia.

10,000 cigars released is not a lot in the world of cigars. Hence, I am here to see if this year’s blend measures up. Let’s see…

On a virgin nose, the wrapper has charming notes of floral, dark chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, roasted pine nuts, and mild barnyard. It is already driving me nuts because I don’t know the derivation of the leaves.

I use my trusty pal, PerfecPunch, to remove the cap. I often hear excuses from the thing because it’s early and it has become a night owl. Brute force won’t be required as I’m a softie. This morning, Dr. Rod will not be awakened to take a call on the Red Phone.

Sometimes you get a cigar whose resistance is perfect. An audible ‘Aww’ comes from a secret place you’ve not used in years. I glance down and find my schmekel is sleeping so I must look elsewhere.

The cold draw is minty fresh. But also following the lead of aromas with dark chocolate, black pepper, fresh bread, cinnamon, licorice, candied almonds, vanilla, and light floral.

I almost forgot to turn the industrial fans on. It makes what hair I have left stand on end.

I smoked one cigar previous to this review. But the real test is on an empty stomach.

The initial blows to the head from both cigars was definitive and enlightening as it paved a path towards what I believe is a worthy cigar blend. Very earthy with soft sourdough bread overtones. In addition are notes of green tea, caramel, mixed herbs, and freshly hewn pine. Like I said, a good start.

If I was to guess, I’d say that the wrapper is Ecuadorian with a Connecticut stripe. The guts might be a Mexican binder with Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. There, I’ve just made an ass of myself. Something to make the blender laugh.

The blend tastes aged although there is no proof. Generally, manufacturers love to tout any aging that is more than the usual 6 weeks after rolling. The mouth feel is lush with complex notes showing up early. Very rich. I hope it can remain erect.

A sip of water and there is a rush of mintyness. So good, my gentile readers. If you were here, I’d raise a glass of MD 20/20 in your honor.

Curved Air guitarist Mick Jaques told me that there is a test to tell if a woman is diseased with the clap. I laughed. He said, no really. You light up a cigarette and get the tar and nicotine on your thumb and index finger. If and when you get to touch her quedgie, she will yelp because it will sting. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. But Jaques was from the North Country so I figured he must know what he is talking about.

Inch two begins and I’m feeling the love. So rare for a cigar, especially with only a month of humidor time, to start with reeling in the years. I’m taking my time and not puffing incessantly which is what we tend to do if the cigar is delicious. I’m letting the cigar breathe for a couple of minutes between puffs.

This is a very delicate blend. Not brash and brazen like an AJ cigar. And not exactly like a Kelner. It finds a home in the netherworld of something good and maybe something great. If I knew what that meant, I’d try to find the delete key on my keyboard. But the caffeine kicked in and I’m not pulling over.

Mick’s friend and I sat on my hotel bed. We had spent the day together and she was sweet, very pretty, and fun to be with. We walked along the beach in Torquay like the last scene in a movie. She smoked cigarettes but I told her I did not. I knew I was in like flint from the subtle way she took her bra off. I asked for a ciggie. She immediately said, ‘But you don’t smoke.’ I had nothing. I stumbled with ‘I do on special occasions.’ Whew, I pulled off a save.

Strength was medium for only the first inch. It has been upped. Oh no. Maybe I should eat some prunes.

I can’t get my knee replacements as originally planned. There is no way Charlotte can take care of me and I would not be able to take care of her. A few days ago, I had a cutting-edge procedure called Sprint PNS System. Two coiled wires were inserted into my femoral and sciatic nerves. They will remain there for two months. An electric generator is attached to my thigh that will send less than shocking signals to my nerves and brain in the effort to re-educate them to ignore the pain. It has a 70% success rate. I asked the doctor when I scheduled it how much? He said it was a $300 copay. He didn’t answer my question. How much is the procedure in total? He side shuffled without answering me. After the procedure, the company rep told me it’s $75,000. I shat myself. I was planning on doing the other knee if this works. And my back. $225,000? Medicare should pay for most or all of it. Fingers crossed.

The cigar is delicious to a fault. Loads of character, transitions, complexity, and richly refined notes of earthiness and body. Once in a while, a $17 cigar seems to be worth the ridiculous price point. I told you in 2024, over and over, that the cigar industry would be coming for your nads. I hate it when I’m right.

I had no idea how to schmear my fingers with tar and nicotine. I kept telling her to hold on…but she was getting impatient. This was turning into a Seinfeld episode. Finally, I saw the yellow matter custard on my fingers and I went to work. Not a peep. I was good. Afterwards, she tipped me and gave me advice on the stock market.

Honey Nut Cheerios. This is great. But the baseline is still the freshly baked bread essence. This is a highly skilled blend that seems fragile because of the gentle nature of its body. It feels like the high profile might disappear if I disrespect it even slightly. I gotta stop sniffing yeast in the morning.

The first half took 45 minutes.

My first cigar was good but not great. I smoked it after dinner and even though I cleansed my palate with a Waterpik, it wasn’t as good as this morning’s first cigar. Subtleties are destroyed on a full palate.

In the 60’s, a buddy and I would go up to Laurel Canyon. We’d cruise from house to house. Music was everywhere. One house would have the guys from C S N & Y. Not far away was Zappa. Even Mickey Dolenz was a great hang who was a very nice guy and would always spend a few minutes talking music with us. There was no sign of keeping fans in abeyance as long as you were polite and respectful. We even met Mama Cass. My God she was a hoot. I stayed away from ham sandwiches after that.

If I was anymore relaxed, I’d be dead. Which looms large at this point in my life. Big smile.

The one word that describes this blend is Smooth. Trailing behind: delicate, genteel, and refined. You can’t ask for more than this to make that needed break from reality a godsend.

There isn’t a rough cob moment in this cigar’s end of life experience.

The first time I had Ralph Kramden eyes was when my 7th grade history teacher asked the class what a Jew looked like. The chick behind me said we have tiny horns and a tail. I promptly had my tail removed.

This blend is top 25 material.

The strength is not a planet killer as I expected. My vision is intact and I can type without looking at the keys. Every picture tells a story. My body stunk but I kept my funk.

This blend is a brilliant from start to finish. If you smoke one, take your time and don’t rush.

You can purchase the Powstanie SBC 24 from sponsor Small Batch Cigar. Take 10% off with promo code KATMAN.

RATING: 98

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: cigar reviews, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, katman, phil kohn, powstanie cigars, Powstanie SBC 24 | Cigar Reviews by the Katman