Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Ecuadorian Habano
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano, Criollo 98, Corojo 99, San Vicente, Brazilian Cubra (11.25 exclusive)
Size: 5.5 x 55 Grand Robusto
Strength: Medium
Price: $20.00
Date Released: October 9, 2025
Quantity Released: Regular Production
Factory: Kelner Cigars, S.A.S. Dominican Republic

BACKGROUND:
Andrew Considine and Dave West of Small Batch Cigar partnered up once again with Klaas Kelner as a follow up to their successful blends: Awakening, New Dawn, The Vow 7.05 & 6.29, and The Vow: Higher Calling.

“Like the other blends of The Vow before it, 11.25 features a unique blend and experience!

“Paying homage to the dignified Grand Robusto vitola, The Vow 11.25 has been redefined to include a whole leaf of Brazilian Cubra tobacco for a unique stance in The Vow collection! The salinity of a Cubra leaf in this 5 ½ x 55 expression imparts savory notes of salted butter, milk chocolate, soft pretzel, Brazil nuts, and French oak with a long, buttery finish.

“The Vow 11.25 is the product of a single dedicated pair of rollers. The numbers represent the date 25 November 2024, when this blend was approved and committed to history.”

Dave West told me: “Each vitola of The Vow is a unique blend that will be a profound treat for your palate. We at Avowed Cigars found that this blend has an elegance that is fresh and exciting, while bringing an added sophisticated aspect to our widening portfolio of premium cigars. The Brazilian Cubra is masterful.”

THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
This is a big cigar. It is a heavy cigar. You want 2-1/2+ hours of good time charlie, then this might be your baby. The wrapper drips with oil and on closer examination, the pattern of dark and light is panoramic.

There are soaring floral elements coming from the wrapper that are mixed with Swiss milk chocolate, light honey, fresh cut grapefruit, and mild barnyard.

Removal of the cap is done quietly and expertly with my PerfecPunch. The airflow on this dirigible is par excellence. Exactly how Mikey likes it.

The cold draw provides a spicy entry to the blend’s imminent faculty. Subtle notes include cinnamon, baker’s chocolate, fruitiness, macchiato espresso, sweet pecans, and a slight hint of caramel.

Large plumes of smoke can be seen from space as I stare into both cameras. I gaze at the ceiling taking up 9 seconds of valuable airtime. And I smile like a marmot playing banjo in front of Jon Voight.

Right off the bat, I taste Kelner. That great creamy caramel blend mixed with mild white pepper, milk chocolate, honey goodness, and rich earthiness.

I like that the blend’s strength is medium. Most large cigars fall into the category of medium/full or stronger. A big, fat, strong cigar makes a great after dinner smoke. But now and again, Sunday mornings…after church, I prefer a large token to the gods that won’t kick my arse. This was a smart idea from Andrew and Dave. Failing to smoke the last third of a cigar because it’s too strong is a waste. And as this is my third Vow 11.25, I know how it ends. And it’s good, like brunch on the Spruce Goose after its only flight.

The creaminess intensifies at the end of the first half inch. Semolina pilchard at this point is candied walnuts, vanilla bean, the aroma of fresh carnations, and cedar.

As inch one ends, creamy lemon appears. The blend is about soupiness in all forms and gyrations. The cigar is three steps beyond good gyrations.

Construction is excellent. The char line burns with a crisp edge and the ash is structurally sound. There is always the temptation to let an ash wallow in its own death throes because it’s fun and makes a great photo. Me? My lap has seen enough carnage over 75 years, so I tap often. I leave the elongated ash extravaganzas for those with brand new implants.

I smoked my first Vow 11.25 after dinner to test the meddle of a big cigar. The gentle subtleties of this cigar did not cut through. This is a very delicate yet sophisticated blend. A wide landscape of elements didn’t find their way to my palate due to the added distraction of steak and taters with a chaser of Pepto. It’s good to know when to hold and when to fold.

The Brazilian Cubra filler leaves provide a complex spiciness that is very cool. A delightful natural sweetness. Just the right touch. This new blend feels appropriate to the growth of Avowed Cigars’ portfolio. And I’m barely on the outskirts of inch 2.

It takes 42 minutes to take the first third down. It seems fast…as good cigars will tend to successfully trick the brain. I will take fast times at ridgemont high over the long slog of cigars I’m only barely enjoying. This is where a big cigar shines. It’s extended life cycle.

This cigar will age beautifully with 6 months, and longer, home detention. After this review stick, I will allow the balance of my cigars to sleep. I’ve found that any blend with the name Kelner attached takes off like a rocket with only 3 months of naked humidor time. The flagship sign that this brew is true is that I’m reviewing this blend with only a few weeks of rest. The entire line from Avowed is worth your attention. I have them as my special go-to’s when I want to treat myself. The New Dawn is a perfect morning cigar with coffee. Then, safe sex with the cat. A cigarette and a waffle. And another New Dawn.

The first half was delicious. It checked all the boxes. The running time was one hour 12 minutes (I own an analog abacus). The sweet lemony creaminess was a delight. The earthy depth was nothing short of remarkable. A layer of soft pastry dough became evident. The milk chocolate covered caramels were out front. A smoky cedar quality showed up in the middle of inch 2. A plum’s tartness lay in the background adding a nice alternative. And the macchiato espresso, pecans, and white pepper maintained an even keel. All good signs for the upcoming sweet spot.

In their press release, Avowed describes the blend’s flavors as “…notes of salted butter, milk chocolate, soft pretzel, Brazil nuts, and French oak with a long, buttery finish.” I came close but this is the wonderful thing about the palate. This complicated function differs in each of us and, as a result, we taste things differently. An average palate is perfect. The milk chocolate is out front and inescapable. I have never tasted French oak. I’m not a sophisticated guy. Therefore, my brain interprets the woodiness as cedar. They say Brazil nuts; I tasted candied walnuts. They say soft pretzel; I tasted sweet pastry dough. They say salted butter; I tasted salty caramel. This is damn fine of Avowed that they designed something in a way that every smoker can experience the blend. Their suggestions are merely jumping off points. No different than any reviewer’s concept of how the palate works during reverse engineering of the crème in a Twinkie.

The sweet spot lives in the second half. But after a minimum of 3 months, the sweet spot will begin to evolve into the second third. A couple months after that, the entire cigar will be the sweet spot. Experience.

The flavor points intensify widening the finish and mouth feel. During inch 4, the creaminess and lemon notes move to the far reaches of this critic’s giant open maw. The nuttiness lay on the back of my tongue. The caramel is on the tip of my tongue alongside the white pepper. Just a fabulous cigar.

I take my second sip of water at the 2-hour mark. I didn’t miss it. I didn’t need it. That is the definition of smooth. No one enjoys cigar blends that have you reaching for a sip of something after every puff.

The blend is getting Bozo crazy with its complexity, transitional qualities, and depth. Great cigar. Smoke one after a week but then let ‘em rest.

The milk chocolate soars. The macchiato espresso is damn solid. Strength reaches just this side of medium/full but without a lick of nicotine. The perfect morning/mid-day cigar.

You can purchase Avowed The Vow: 11 25 and the entire Avowed line from sponsor Small Batch Cigar.

RATING: 96

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: andrew considine, avowed cigars, Avowed Cigars The Vow: 11.25 Pre-Release | Cigar Reviews by the Katman, cigar reviews, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, dave west, katman, phil kohn, small batch cigar