Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Ecuadorian H.2000
Filler: Brazilian, Nicaraguan, Peruvian and Dominican Republic
Robusto Extra: 51/2 x 52
Toro Extra: 61/2 x 54
Diadem: 7 x 56
Availability and discounts below.
KALASHO NATURAL DIADEM:
I smoked the monster Diadem for the first part of this review, the Robusto for the second part.
A Kalasho? What’s that, you say? This is a pre-release that will come available by the time you read this.
I’d never heard of this cigar until it arrived on my doorstep courtesy of a fellow BOTL. This is a big 56 ring gauge monster. I have initial doubts. I gravitate toward smaller sizes.
This stick is solid and well rolled. It looks quite nice. It is a special blend for The King Corona Lounge in Ybor City, Florida. I have never had much luck with shop blends, but there’s always a first time.
I fire it up.
This cigar is off to a good start. Right out of the gate I’m getting dark berries and a bread note. It’s silky smooth on the retro. I kick back, relax, put my feet up and prepare for a long, relaxing drift.
I allow my mind to idle. My synapses slow. An inch in I pick up a sweet cream and some macadamia nut. It’s subtle. I’m diggin’ it.
It’s a quiet evening here in Seattle. Wet, but quiet. My wife, Leona, and I are hanging out here for a while till our overland vehicle is finished. It was supposed to be ready in June but…no. We loathe the big city traffic and hustle and are anxious to get back into the back country of…anywhere. Cigars keep me sane during this waiting period.
An inch in and my taste buds are dancing to the flavors of warm, fresh baked bread which morph into a slight blueberry muffin note. This stick is smooth as glass, the burn razor sharp, the retro is clean and smooth. Can this under-the-radar cigar hold on for two hours?
Moving further into the into first third the flavors glide into a grape note. That’s different! It’s a really nice, concentrated Gewürztraminer Ice wine note that appears. I can’t believe I’m picking this up. This semi-sweet ice wine note lingers for quite a while.
“So, what is this overland vehicle?”, you ask? It’s a 1996 Land Cruiser I’ve owned since the early 2000’s. For the last two years I have been converting it into an internationally “out-back capable”, self-contained, shrunken RV. The goal is to head out of the United States, back into the exotic nether regions of this planet, and continue my explorations indefinitely. I was born to explore the world around me, the world of cigars, the world of coffee, the world in general. My Voortrekker wife is anxious to set out.
Into the second third I’m picking up a hickory note. The berry and grape flavors are gone. Sourdough bread walks on my palate along with the pleasant, softening hickory note. My mind has turned to mush. Nothing matters except the enjoyment of this moment. This stick is really talking to me.
The long ash finally drops after a 45-minute balancing act. The burn line is still razor perfect. There is zero spice on the retro. This cigar is smoking at a solid medium.
“Three thirds”: that is how we often divide a cigar experience. For me, that’s also life. Three thirds: Age 0-30, 30-60, and 60-90. Like with cigars, life often falls flat in the final third. I’m in the final third of my life and intend to go out with a bang.
Many people here in West coast USA have this view of an exciting “final third experience” as going to Hawaii or maybe Cancun for a few weeks then come home to endlessly babysit the grand kids and be near their doctors. OK, fine. Good for them. My wife and I are going to head out and explore the back country areas of the third world and beyond – again. Because of our past lives in Zambia and other parts of Africa, we have firsthand knowledge of how rewarding this can be. We wait anxiously for the day we can take off. South America? Asia? Both?? Whatever it is, our final third will be a mind blower.
Into the final third of this cigar: it’s taking a small step back but still excellent. Only a hint of nicotine. Special K cereal with almonds now, subtle and good. If the blueberries were here, it would be exquisite. A smaller vitola of this blend would be interesting.
Nicotine is hitting hard in the final inch. It didn’t dive off a cliff in the final third, but my taste buds are shot. I have to call it. It was a 2+ hour smoke.
I highly recommend this cigar.
RATING: 95
10 DAYS LATER
The Kalasho Robusto showed up in my mailbox unexpectedly. Magic!
THE KALASHO NATURAL ROBUSTO:
Cold and wet here on my patio in the state of Washington…as expected. I fire up my propane heater here on my patio and get cozy to prepare for this cigar. I have my sparkling water, my sheepskin-enhanced camp chair which does a great job of keeping my ass insulated, and I have my lighter.
I pull out my PerfecPunch and pop a PerfecHole into this beautiful stick. Katman owes me 8.5 cents now because he promised to split the fee he gets from Dr. Rod for these shameless plugs.
Right out of the gate I’m getting a slight white pepper burn on the retro. The juicy berry notes roll off my tongue like blueberry jam on soft, buttery sourdough bread. The note is subtle but extremely enjoyable. The burn is razor sharp.
Towards the end of the first third the spice on the retrohale disappears. It’s a pleasant wet hickory note on the retro now. This stick is smoking a mild-medium right now.
Into the second third. The battery on this computer warns 16%. I ignore the warning and enjoy the, what’s that?? Aperol Spritz note? Indeed! These Kalasho sticks are full of surprises. My wife comes out to check on me, concerned that I became one with my sheepskin-enhanced camp chair. I told her that I’m having a sudden craving for an Aperol Spritz. She walks away mumbling something under her breath and shaking her head.
This is an unexpectedly good cigar. I am totally digging it.
Yes, Mister Kalasho, I’ll take that butter croissant note. Thank you very much.
This cigar requires a clean palate, for sure. Notes are subtle. I long to smoke one of these on the warm ocean, a slight breeze in the air, a seagull circling trying to figure out why there isn’t an actual croissant to steal.
With an inch to go the buttery flavors fall away. It is now a nice cedar and campfire note. The retro is still smooth as glass.
My computer battery is flashing a red “5% battery” warning. I take another draw as I flash it the middle finger.
I’m nubbing this baby. I don’t want it to stop. I pierce it with my PerfecDraw nub holder (Katman owes me seventeen cents now for shameless plugs. I will send the bill.)
… and the heater just ran out of propane. The computer says 1% battery now. Time to call it.
I liked this robusto a bit better than its big brother.
The Kalasho Connecticut is just being introduced by King Corona Cigars of Tampa. Because it is so new it’s not up on the website yet so you can order by phone (813) 923-7982.
I have secured a 40% discount good till March 1, 2026 using the code KAT40. After March 1, it drops to 20% using KAT20.
PRICING BEFORE and AFTER DISCOUNT:
Robusto Extra 51/2 x 52 $24.99 (w/ 40% off = 15.00) Toro Extra 61/2 x 54 $26.99 (w/ 40% off = $16.20) Diadem 7 x 56 $29.99 (w/ 40% off = $18.00)
Full disclosure: I have no skin in this game and zero financial interest. The purveyor found out that I liked their pre-release sticks and came to me with these discounts for the readers.
RATING: 96
KATMAN NOTE:
Would you like to have your thoughts published? There are no rules. I announced on the 1st that 2026 will be the last year of this blog. And this is a great idea to invite you to participate. Write a manifesto like Charlie. Or write just a few hundred words. Either way, I’d love to host your cigar review. CLICK HERE.
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
There’s that 3-strig bass again.
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I have spent countless hours instructing AI to include 4 strings. I have used their instructions as well as my own and nothing works. This is a fatal flaw.
Phil
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Good Morning Phil
Thanks for another great review It sounds like my kind of cigar. I’m probably missing something, but do we send orders to you?
Because I hate to see you leave, I’m curious and you may have already considered this, but hear goes. Form the Katman club and invite all your current list of folks who watch your reviews and offer a membership for a fee Perhaps from $5.95 to $8.95 per month. We all benefit from your reviews and to keep active that’s a very fair price. You know how many viewers you have so the math is easy.
Another money maker for you, when you come across cigars like in this review them to the club members not at a 40 % discount but perhaps 15% and the members pay for shipping. There are other cigar related items you might want to offer such as your own perfect draw tool, imported lighters and etc. depending on how hard you want to work.
Well I’ve bored you long enough. Thanks for your attention and Happy New Year
All The Best
Dave Hall
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Thank you, Dave. I will take it under advisement.
Phil
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Hi Dave
Thank you. Just FYI, to buy this cigar you would call the shop who sells it directly using the number I provided. Neither Phil nor I have anything to do with sales or the seller. This stick just fell into my hands, I liked it, and thought I’d pass it on to the readers. I phoned King Corona, told them that I would publish a review and they kindly volunteered the discounts.
— Charlie
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