Wrapper: Ecuadorian HVA
Binder: Dominican San Vincente
Filler: Dominican Criollo 98 Seco, Dominican Piloto Cubano, Mexican San Andrés Morron, U.S.A. Broadleaf
Size: 6 x 52 Toro
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $15.50
Date Released: November 2025
Quantity Released: Limited Release but numbers are undisclosed
Factory: Kelner Boutique Factory, Dominican Republic
My cigars received 2 months of naked humidor time.
BACKGROUND:
From Broncano Cigars:
“Broncano Cigar Co. was established in 2022 by Martin Smith, a Gulf War veteran who served in the Marine Corps. Driven by his passion for cigars and dedication to curating the finest, most complex tobaccos.
“At Broncano Cigar Co., we partner with world-renowned artisans and master blenders to craft cigars of the highest caliber. Our collaborations with Kelner Boutique Factory (KBF) and La Aurora, the Dominican Republic’s oldest and most prestigious cigar factory, ensure that each cigar is expertly rolled, meticulously aged, and perfectly balanced to provide an unparalleled smoking experience.”
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
Wrapper aromas are bright floral, mild barnyard, dark chocolate, French mustard, malt, peanuts, caramel, vanilla, subtle earthiness, with black and red pepper.
Broncano picked the perfect cigar band color to emphasize the red hue of the Ecuadorian HVA wrapper.
Due to the beauty of the seamless cap placement, my PerfecPunch is reluctant to drill. I think it’s just lazy. I bought it Christmas presents and it never provided acknowledgment. Sure, maybe it didn’t think a Christmas tree ornament was appropriate and maybe it doesn’t really need a wall clock…but a simple thank you would have been nice. I ignore my hurt feelings but shove it just a little harder into the cigar. A little bruising never hurts anyone.
The cold draw is spicy. With tropical fruitiness. Sublingual notes are red wine, dark cocoa, espresso, floral, caramel, and malt.
The cigar is solidly packed. A long cool woman that will take nearly two hours.
This cigar comes from Hendrik Kelner Jr, not the kid Klaas…who isn’t bad at what he does but still has a lot to learn. Broncano owner, Martin Smith is a smart man for his choice.
Sweet cherries, honey, rich earthiness, tequila, jalapeno poppers, and a touch of leather.
Nice smoke output (while he stares at ceiling, tongue languishes near chin like one of those really ugly dogs, eyebrows flicker, and eyes roll back with bliss).
Strength is medium. My strength is poor. Sammy the Cat’s strength is in between. Katman’s, as a world disowned reviewer, is pretty good.
I own a professional jewelry bench that I bought in 2000. I don’t make jewelry any more like Matt Booth does, so I reached out to Univ. of Wisconsin in Milwaukee to ask if their metalsmithing department would like it. They jumped on it. Currently, the thing acts as a depository for cigar stuff. The head of the program and I have been conversing and he has invited me to talk to his classes. Oh lord, I asked about the politics of cursing and he just laughed. So, I’m good to go.
The balance of sweet v. savory is nearly halfsies.
I posted a video of this old man playing some stuff on the Contest page. My arthritis is too cruel to be kind, and you’ll notice that I only use the thumb on my right hand to pluck. The other fingers are useless. It changes the way I play. If I try to use a pick, I keep dropping it. Don’t get old. But don’t let that stop you from doing what you love.
The blend is very Kelner-ish. I find no surprises. The blend is familiar. I like familiar in my old age. But I think that the cigar will do better with more than two months of home detention. My previous two sticks differed. The first one was a solid experience but with no sudden jerks. The second one was better with big flavor notes and complexity. This is why I chose to review the cigar this morning.
The sweet tropical notes cause the blend to stand out now. It also has an underpinning of spiciness on the tongue that I like.
During inch number two, the cigar gets an unpleasant mustiness. And then a mineral note that does not compliment. The biggest plus for any blend is consistency. Over three test cigars, there has been very little evenness. I honestly can’t tell if another 4-6 months will challenge the cigar to do better. I want this blend to do very well. Martin Smith, by his own telling, is new to the cigar business. Smith has released three other blends. I did not find reviews. He may need several more years to nail things down.
Data shows that grocery prices are at the highest in three years. But the rich are doing just fine. I live on a fixed income like so many other senior citizens. And the price of food is staggering and making it hard to get by.
The burn gets wonky.
The first half ends and it is nothing like my second cigar which stood out as a good cigar. Today’s review cigar began with promise but then by inch number two, it became somewhat bland. The lovely fruitiness is carrying all the weight. Naturally, I invested heavily in these cigars because of the Kelner name, not Martin Smith’s.
I bought the Broncano Classic Royal Blue cigars on Kelner’s name as well. I was disappointed. For the life of me, I can’t imagine what might have gone wrong.
The burn continues to get worse.
Progression of the flavor profile has stagnated while continuing to have that stale mustiness.
I must tread carefully on this. Mr. Smith is not the first vet to use his service to our nation as part of the selling point. I salute the man. But why is that relevant? There is no information on his website about his background in cigars other than how he loves to smoke. I’m not sure if this ploy is to drag in other vets to try his cigars. Or play on the guilt of guys like me who vehemently opposed the war in Vietnam. I truly wish the man well because his choice of Kelner is smart. But again, I think he needs more time as a partner in the blending process before he sees true rewards.
Spiciness on the tongue is becoming annoying and taking away from a minimalistic flavor profile.
Inch four shows no improvement.
Inch five, and I’m calling it.
I cannot recommend this cigar.
RATING: 81
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
Have been wanting to try Kelner blends, and given how much he’s done knowing where not to start may be more valuable than knowing where he hit it out of the park. Thanks for the review!
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thanksfor the review!! I appreciate the honest integrity with your reviews!!
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Thank you.
Phil
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