Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano HVA
Binder: Costa Rican
Filler: Nicaraguan Viso, Nicaraguan Ligero, Nicaraguan Corojo
Size: 5.5 x 54 Robusto Extra
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $24.00

My cigars received 2 months of naked humidor time.

BACKGROUND:
From Small Batch Cigar:
“In a totally unique concept, each cigar has been aged in cedar trunks that are infused primarily with Bois Bandé, a bark found in the rainforests of the Caribbean, known for its long reputation as an aphrodisiac. The name Bois Bandé means “erect wood,” accurately reflecting its reputation. The infusion not only enhances the aroma but also improves blood circulation while reducing stress — contributing to an intensely sensual experience.

“The distinctively exotic properties of Bois Bandé may not be immediately apparent to the senses, but the blend gives each cigar a deeply satisfying undertone.

“Although the foundational elements of the Bois Bandé may subtly differ in effect for each person, the blend results in a powerful sensory experience that is second to none. Every draw will transport you to the Caribbean, stirring emotions and pleasures as intense as they are rare.

“I had the chance to experience a series of cigars bearing Bois Bande formulation, and in each one, the effect was unmistakable — a feeling of vigor and passion unique to this blend. This limited-edition cigar is more than just a smoke; it’s a tribute to centuries of Renaissance tradition — with a modern twist.” -Philip Wynne”

THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
I reviewed the Felipe Gregorio Maxamar 25th Anniversary on September 10. Read it here. Loved it and you provided suggestions that I follow through with another offering from Felipe Gregorio. So, here it is.

If you read the above info from the manufacturer and SBC, I may have to cover my lap halfway through the review to cover my excitement. Do not stare directly at your device as an old man’s purple-headed yogurt slinger may intimidate and impress. Or not.

It’s a pretty cigar with an oily wrapper that glistens like the sweat on my brow knowing I’m about to get provoked for the third time in three years. But the aromas. Oh the aromas. The Ecuadorian Havano wrapper is what I’m talking about. Big beautiful notes of honey and fresh flowers. Wonderful baked chocolate fudge with rich and earthly walnuts, summer nectarines, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, and green tea.

I don my PerfecPunch warning banner and clear the air hole. I stare into the abyss and think of a reverse engineered hot fudge sundae.

The draw is spontaneous and direct. The cold draw is full of hot fudge and walnuts with added notes of cool wintergreen, lime zest, cinnamon and nutmeg, black pepper, and buttery earthiness.

Time to light it up. But first, I ignite my monolithic industrial fans and prod my multiple air purifiers. The kick start mechanisms always give this guy trouble.

I smoked one stick a week after receipt as my offering to the gods. Another one a few weeks later because I needed the excitement. Neither did a lot for me. Not bad, but not definitively great.

The chocolate underpinnings are momentous with a side salad of rich earthiness. It bangs. The mouth feel is indescribably delicious with espresso tinges and hints of Jewish rye bread. It’s buttery and crusty. Good start. Keep it up. I take a sip of coffee and it tastes of rich fudge. This cigar is a serious influencer.

The rye toast continues while dripping custard from Fred Maug’s eye. Construction is excellent with a sharp char line. Oh right, this is a $24 cigar. It demands this sort of constitution.

I heard from Charlie Schink and his wife Leona. They are in Switzerland. A Quorum cigar goes for $29. A Padron 6000 goes for $65. Puts my whining in its place. We Americans make a lot of dough compared to the rest of the world and our cigars are lower priced than most countries. We’ve been trained to take this for granted. Me especially as I’ve been a cigar smoker since 1968. A buck could get you a fine Fuente. I’d buy a box of 20 for $14. In 2025 dollars, that would be $980.29.

I’ve made my share if bad choices in this life. But who hasn’t? Right? It’s all part of the human condition. I watched the Charlie Sheen doc on Netflix so I thought I’d come clean.

This large Robusto takes its time. OK with me. Transitions are slow and deliberate while delivering a refined and hearty tale of good cheer. The blend has become a tasty marmot impersonator.

I snorted my weight in cocaine in the early 80’s like most of debauched western civilization. Some friends were murdered in the pursuit of the white death. We were all shocked but shouldn’t have been. Did those events cause me to stop doing it? Nope. My girlfriend called the paramedics one night. They assumed I was overdosing, patted me on the back, and went on their way. Human compassion at its lowest.

Using an Ecuadorian wrapper has become so de rigueur as of late that choices are dizzying. The Mexican San Andres is no longer as popular. Nic puros remain at the top of the heap. Dominican fillers have seen a resurgence. Honduran tobacco gets the side eye. The hip leaves come from Peru, Costa Rica, Africa, and Sumatra.

Inch two is raging. I want to rant but the Bois Bandé settles me into a relaxed state I’ve not seen since watching a marathon of Squirrel and Moose in the year of our lord, 1453.

The ante is upped with a sensational richness. Its depth perception is elongating.

My delivery system for blow was snorting. Never shot it up or smoked it. Actually, one time I smoked it. There was no crack cocaine back then. You had to purify it in a dirty spoon and then consume it in the manner of free basing. I was at a friend’s home and watched the process of cooking the coke. I was scared. But they talked me into it. I did two puffs and then freaked out. I couldn’t feel my face. Then, I couldn’t feel my tongue. After that, I couldn’t feel my throat. What did I do? I ran around the living room like a beheaded chicken telling no one in particular that I couldn’t swallow. Never smoked it again.

Felipe Gregorio claims an enhanced state of arousal and relaxation. As I receive this every time I smoke a good cigar, how will I know? Maybe that’s the point.

Of all the bands and musicians I’ve played with, my all-time favorite is my late 60’s/early 70’s band Homegrown. Not a very subtle moniker but the time dictated such atrocities. At least it wasn’t Strawberry Alarm Clock. An old friend played bass in that band but claims he had nothing to do with the naming process. Homegrown could flawlessly cover Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Crosby Stills & Nash, Cream, Smokey Robinson, Three Dog Night, and The Rolling Stones. We were comrades in arms. We spent all our non-work hours together. And we played out almost every weekend. Excellent memories. Below photo is taken at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro 1971:

Flavors hunker down. Complex like a natural woman. Deeply rooted in earthy behavior. Chocolate, black coffee, creamy, nutty, green tea, vanilla, cinnamon, and rich cedar.

I died once after using too much cocaine. I was asleep. I lived alone in my house in Northern Long Beach. I went into convulsions that woke me up. Over and over like a serial killer. My back arched and I thought I was going to break in two. After several of those, I died. Then the proverbial near-death experience happened.

I could smoke a million of these cigars. The first half disappears in a quick seeming 45 minutes. Doesn’t a great cigar always do this? Yeah, I rail about price points but this cigar passes in the fast lane of cigars at twice this price. Most Davidoff blends aren’t this good.

I’m hopping on one foot in anticipation of what I feel is coming. The Sweet Spot in the second half.

I woke up in my bedroom. The bed, the blanket, and the pillows were stark white. The walls were brilliant white. My arms were at my side on top of the bedspread. To my right, the wall was floor to ceiling windows. Outside was a beautiful green landscape…like an unknown fantasy forest. Maybe 10 feet away, my long dead mother stood staring at me. She looked 27 years old. Her sheer blonde hair gently moved from a small breeze. She was wearing a delicate and diaphanous gown that was beautiful. I felt electric. I felt wonderful like I’ve never before felt. She was staring without a smile. In fact, she looked stern and judgmental. We stared at each other for what seemed like forever. With a whoosh, I woke up in the middle of another convulsion.

I get it that this simple cigar review is turning into a manifesto of thoughts, projections, and remembrances. Storytelling is not an easy process. And often gets in the way of the straightforward.

With only a couple months of humidor time, I wonder aloud how this cigar will perform with 6-9 months of rest. I’m a-flutter.

A bright woodiness appears. Could it be the ‘erect wood?’ I am in genteel mode. Which is three degrees of separation from gentile mode. I married a shiksa, so there’s that.

Remember Emerson, Lake & Palmer? We were the support act for a couple gigs in the mid-70’s. Keith Emerson let me ride his rotating piano. Keith walked me to the rest room so I could vomit. I was seasick for two days.

The second half delivers the mail. I’m hypnotized. The Bois Bandé bark infusion is doing its thing. Of all the novelties in the world of cigars, this one takes the cake. Mmm, I’m hungry.

I should have called an ambulance. I should have gone to the ER. I should have seen a doctor. Did I do any of that? No. Did I stop using cocaine after that? No. The absolute height of stupidity. A year later, I came to my senses and just stopped. I just stopped. I’ve never touched it since. It was my singular drug of choice. I never did heroin and or any of those other life altering drugs; well, a little acid and weed. Doctors call what happened to me as my brain having hallucinations that were caused by trauma; definitely not death.. But clearly, this was something that these doctors never experienced themselves. People don’t remember dreams and hallucinations 45 years later. I can relive every moment to this day. Every bloody second. Postscript: Despite cocaine heightening your desire for sex, no man maintains a boner while using it. It became fantasy foreplay all night long. No one ever told me I should stop. Because I was never a terror to anyone in my life. I was a functioning addict. I showed up to work on time. I did my job flawlessly. But during the rare off hours, I partied. I’ve been sober for 41 years. Despite the horror, it was a lot of fun that only young people can survive.

The Felipe Gregorio Aphrodisiac is a winner. A special cigar worthy of its price.

You can purchase Felipe Gregorio Aphrodisiac from Small Batch Cigar. Take 10% off with promo code KATMAN.

RATING: 97

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

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