Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Dominican Corojo 99, Nicaraguan Condega, Estelí, Jalapa
Size: 5 x 52 Robusto
Strength: Medium
Price: $12.99
Date Released: January 2025
Quantity Released: Regular Production
Factory: Casa Carrillo

My cigars received 4 months of naked humidor time.

BACKGROUND:
From Cigar Aficionado:
“Things have come full circle for Rick Rodriguez of West Tampa Tobacco Co. He’s teamed up with his former mentor and Cigar Aficionado Hall of Famer Ernesto Perez-Carrillo for a new, regular-production line called Circle of Life. The cigars will be on display at the PCA trade show in Las Vegas this weekend and are expected to ship to retailers in May.

‘Ernesto has had such an incredible impact on my career,” says Rodriguez, who worked under Carrillo when they were both employed at General Cigar Co. “As the first of four Hall of Famers to train under, reuniting with Ernesto on Circle of Life was an opportunity to connect with my past and lay another brick in my future.’

“Made in the Dominican Republic at Perez-Carrillo’s Casa Carrillo factory (formerly Tabacalera La Alianza), Circle of Life will be available in the following sizes: Robusto, measuring 5 inches by 52 ring gauge ($12.99); Toro, 6 by 54 ($13.99); and Gigante, 6 by 60 ($14.99). All sizes come in boxes of 20.”

THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
I’m easily impressed by leaf stats like those above. I will see ones that show a Nic puro or maybe with a Mexican San Andres wrapper, and I’ll say, “Is that it?” I will often reassess that seemingly limited choice because I work hard for my money. Seeing this level of sophistication is relatively new in affordable cigars. I like it.

Nice looking oily black death sheen of a Q Tip. It has lovely aromas often with Ecuadorian wrappers. And in this case, it also has an Ecuadorian binder so double duty for the floral aromata. Followed by strong barnyard, smoky oakiness, red pepper chile crisp, and a sweet fruitiness.

Without warning, I drag my PerfecPunch into service. I hear a faint, “ow.’ I lambaste the little dingleberry with the threats of being put in the drawer with my nonworking Xikar lighters. It smartens up. I hear a faint and resentful, “Yes, sir.” And then a slight side mumble, “You fucker.” In it goes with my Xikar cutters whose blades are as sharp as a day-old bowl of Cheerios. I raise my eyes to the ceiling and let out a hearty guffaw, cough twice, and guffaw again.

The cold draw shows notes of roasted coffee with an orange slice, black licorice, black pepper, aged oak, roasted almonds, and dried fruit.

Nothing tastes better than lighting up the first cigar of the day. The rich earthy quality of dead leaves is an eye roller. I try not to suck on it like the breakfast teat. But it’s hard. A lot of cigars don’t pony up till an inch is burned. I hate that because if the cigar doesn’t speak to me early, I’m liable to toss it because I have no patience. Especially, if it’s a lauded expensive cigar.

Flavors are fatty and send spontaneity signals to my decaying brain: Brown chocolate, black espresso, black licorice, brown wood, orange zest, and red frootsie tootsie. There are no green flavors.

Why does a musician crave to play in front of people? Simply put, because it’s fun. And we can’t see beyond that. The vast majority of us aren’t playing to be showoffs. Here is the key to a musician’s life: the pressure of getting it right on the first take, in front of an audience, opens new and unexplored doors of creativity. Thriving under pressure leads most players to find meaning. That’s it. Like you catching the perfect fish, or you hitting the perfect ball, or you leaning into the curve as you evade the police, or you having your papers when ICE asks for them.

Strength is medium. Black oleaginous cigars never scream ‘send me to a fiery death’ before your breakfast. It’s usually the light fairy-like creatures that send this message. So, it’s nice when someone figures out how to blacken your morning smoke and not give you nicotine poisoning.

The chocolatey-ness with black coffee is outstanding. I have a boner this big.

The char line complies with orders and doesn’t rupture my peace of mind.
Half an inch in (that’s right…all this fol de rol wordsmithing and I’ve only smoked half an inch), and this baby I’m yours gets uber creamy. That’s like lyft creamy, but cheaper. The cigar has plumped nicely thanks to mother fire. My papa was a rolling stone, but my stepbrother was a moron, and my stepsister is an unhappy lesbo in the closet. Doo da, doo da.

I’ve smoked several sticks prior to this review. I like them and so does every other reviewer. I’ve only got a couple left and since I’m the reviewer, and you’re not, I pony up my wallet to the god of cigar page and buy 2 fivers. But not for the $13 per stick that everyone else is charging. With the promo code below, thanks to my real brother Alex Gougher (who is a rich lesbo in hiding), they are only $10. A bargain. Even I subject myself to my own stupid musings. I’m an idiot.

The creaminess yells all hail the Snickers Bar. The end of the second inch has allowed morphing with notes of peanuty caramel goodness covered by dark chocolate and candied espresso beans. I take a side of black licorice. Great fucking cigar.

Just like you, I read about the extolments of retrohaling. I did it for decades and now my sinuses are shot. It does provide some momentary excitement and enhances cigar smoking a little bit. Especially, in expensive cigars where you want to get the most out of your $25+. But if I could go back, I wouldn’t have done it. My breathing capabilities are now miserable at best. Just not worth it. Pick an end date in your linear timeline and stick to it.

The first half was as much fun as outrunning immigration authorities even when you are a United States citizen. As I’m not a regular reviewer, and I’ve stayed away from politicalization, I reiterate that I have been very vocal about supporting law enforcement. But what’s happening now is a disgrace. These guys are woefully undertrained. And so are their supervisors, although it seems that there is no supervision. Even cops are horrified at what they see. Stephen Miller should rot in a cell.

OK. Where was I? Plain water is a wonderful libation accompaniment for this blend. Water provides enhancement to the dark qualities of this blend. The earthiness pairs well with a neutral liquid. Although, getting fall down drunk on bourbon and smoking a Circle of Life has its positives too.

I read some reviews so I can steal their information and opinions. Funny enough, I agree with their assessments because the blend is wildly consistent. An oxymoron? Or is my stepbrother in play? And the consistent trait is that I found a meaty brisket flavor in the second half that is worth taking a bullet to the head in a brouhaha with border patrol. The orange citrus changes to lemongrass. And the coffee gets a cinnamon twist. In the 60’s Dr. Rod and I would frequent a very cool alcohol-free music venue called The Cinnamon Cinder. We would snort heroin, shoot coke, smoke weed, do shots of Pine Sol, mainline crack, and do our taxes. I find that smoking the Circle of Life a very similar experience…minus the taxes.

Strength remains at medium with the absence of nicotine.

Despite being an engineer, I find it difficult to break a 5” cigar into thirds. I know it’s easy for professional cigar reviewers, but then I’m not them. I’m different.

I got no criticisms. A fine cigar that is bloody perfect for your morning trek into ignoring what’s important in life.

You can purchase the West Tampa Circle of Life from sponsor Cigar Page. The cigar comes in three sizes: Robusto, Toro, and Gordo. Alex Gougher is my main man and has stepped up with a 10% off promo code: KAT0226. Reduced prices allow them to range from $10-$11.

RATING: 96

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: cigar page, cigar reviews, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, katman, phil kohn, west tampa cigars, West Tampa Tobacco Co. Circle of Life | Cigar Reviews by the Katman