Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Dominican, Peruvian, Ecuadorian, Paraguayan
Size: 6.5 x 54 Toro
Price: $20
From MBombay Cigars:
“With a combined age of 20 years, this cigar is a rare blend of aged perfection, offering an unparalleled smoking experience. At its core, the filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Peru, Ecuador, and Paraguay have been meticulously aged for an incredible 16 years, developing deep complexity and richness. This is enveloped in an exquisite Ecuadorian wrapper, aged for 3 to 4 years, adding finesse, balance, and an impeccable burn. Once expertly rolled, GAAJA is further rested for 2 additional years, allowing the flavors to harmonize, achieving an unrivaled smoothness and refined depth.”
I opened my humidor and a really cool cigar band caught my eye. I pulled out the MBombay Gaaja Natural.
I decided to kick back on my patio on this beautiful, sunny Seattle day and relax. No review, no music, no book to read, nada. I was just content to watch the smoke curl skyward and listen to the birds. THEN…an inch went by. My relaxed state morphed into a more attentive state. What’s this?? My taste buds jumped up and started dancing to a completely new tune. I couldn’t ignore the calling. What was this I was smoking? Rice Krispies with orange zest? Yup. This stick was different. The smoke output was smooth and creamy. The retro was clean and without spice.
I picked up my laptop, put on noise cancelling headphones and decided to write. So here I sit, the first third has gone up in a pleasant mild to medium creamy smoke. Notes of sweet peanut shells now as the orange zest fades into the background. There is a bit of white pepper to round it out.
I seem to be inspired to write only when the cigar flavors present a radically different profile. I tried to review the usual suspects after they were hyped as the “grand new release” of the week. Sure, they were often excellent sticks but not different, or at least not different enough for me to pick up the laptop and write about it.
The peanut shells are now more of a challah bread with salted butter. Heavenly. My mind wants an appropriate song to go with this exotic cigar. I queue up Kashmir. It fits.
In a few hours I will attend a book tour. I have been enamored with a solo world traveler named Eva Zu Beck, a 30-something Polish woman with a degree from Oxford University who had a fat job, and promising career… but she felt unfulfilled. Then, one day several years ago, she woke up, left her job, sold everything she owned, said “do widzenia” (Goodbye) to her lover and split. Eventually Eva bought an old Land Rover Discovery, converted it to a camping vehicle, named it Odyssey, and headed fearlessly out into the wilds. She makes money by chronicling her life on YouTube (check out her channel). Her book,“The Wilder Way”, was published a few weeks ago. I will meet her this evening.
The Gaaja has got full medium now. The box pressed construction is perfect and the burn remains razor sharp. The challah is now toasted, but still buttery and there is a hint of hazelnut. This cigar is smooth as glass and I’m diggin’ it!
Eva’s life tracks mine. I pulled the same stunt when I was 29 and ended up on a bicycle in the middle of Africa for a dozen of the happiest years of my life. Retired now, I will set off soon with my lovely wife in a old Land Cruiser that I have converted to a camp mobile named “Further”.
The final 2 inches see a faint red pepper spice. The challah is gone. I am getting Fritos now, and some nicotine. Yes, it’s a slight step back but still very pleasant.
The age of this cigar has mellowed the tobacco to an incredibly smooth smoking experience without losing the subtle transitions. I am going to buy more.
RATED: 96
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
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