nutty

Cigar Review | Black Star Line Cigars War Witch

April 9, 2020CutLightSmokeReviewsberries, black licorice, Citrus, coffee, dark rum, nutty, white pepperLeave a comment

It’s Stog o’Clock, and this time, I check out Black Star Line Cigars War Witch. This cigar is made at the AGANORSA factory in Nicaragua and comes in one size, a 6 x 46 box-pressed Corona. It retails for $12.

The War Witch is a Nicaraguan puro meaning all tobaccos come from Nicaragua. It features Corojo and Criollo tobaccos, though there are no further details on where these are placed within the blend.

Pre-Light

Pre-light, the cold draw produces a faint leather and fruit flavor. The wrapper puts off a sweet citrus and tobacco aroma, while the foot smells similar. Once lit, the draw displays citrus, cedar, and nuttiness. Through the nose, a spicy white pepper mixes with citrus. The finish consists of a nuttiness and caramelly leather.

First Third

Thirty-five minutes in, the first third comes to a close. On the draw, I pick up toast, citrus, and roasted almond. Through the nose, black licorice blends with dark rum and nutty notes. The finish gives me coffee with mixed berries and hints of white pepper. Strength and body settle in at medium-to-full.

Second Third

The second third gets me to one hour and twenty minutes. The draw presents flavors of coffee, black licorice, and bold nuttiness. On the retro-hale, there is added sweetness with no change to flavor notes. The finish sees berry flavors up front with more coffee. There is no change to strength or body.

Final Third

Two hours in, the final third ends. The War Witch is quite the slow burner! On the draw, I pick up spicy coffee with a sweeter black licorice and smoky almond. The retro-hale remains consistent. More berries come through on the finish paired with oak and coffee. Strength and body finish out at medium-to-full.

Overall Thoughts

The Black Star Line Cigars War Witch is a phenomenal cigar. It’s no surprise coming from AGANORSA. This cigar really wowed me with a solid amount of complexity and flavors that work perfectly together. Smoke output is voluminous, and construction is top notch.

The slow burn allows for quite a lengthy experience that is very welcome. Price point on the War Witch is extremely competitive. I couldn’t put this thing down. It’s a box-worthy cigar that I think everyone should try, and I highly recommend it.

Smoke on!

-Noah (CutLightSmoke)

Cigar Review | Patina Habano

March 23, 2019OasisReviewsbaking spice, casa favilli, cedar, cigar, cream, Habano, leather, mombacho, nutty, Patina, pepper, raisin, Review, SpiceLeave a comment

Patina cigars are made at Mombacho Cigars S.A.’s Casa Favilli factory in Nicaragua. Creator and owner of the Patina brand Mo Maali, is also the National Sales Manager for the Mombacho brand. The Patina cigars are also the first time Casa Favilli used tobaccos from outside of Nicaragua.

The med plus to full Patina Habano has an Ecuadorian habano wrapper, and Nicaraguan and Pennsylvanian binders and fillers. Also, they come packed in 16ct boxes, commemorating the number of steps on the stairway at Casa Favilli.

“When we flew down to Nicaragua to meet with the factories we had an idea of what we were looking for, but not necessarily a specific factory in mind. After we met with Mombacho, it became clear early on that ours and Mombacho’s visions and values were very similar…We wanted more than a factory that could produce us a cigar, we wanted to be a part of a family, and that sums up the relationship between Patina and Mombacho.”

This Patina Habano is sheer perfection to the eye. First off, its incredibly smooth, seamless and oily with a med dark leathery sheen. There is also a double cap and very tiny veins adorning the wrapper. And again, I cannot find a seam here! absolutely Stunning!!!

The Aroma coming from the wrapper smells like chocolate covered socks, but socks right after you take your shoes off. To any new readers, don’t fret, these are good aromas in cigar language, LOL! The foot gives off chocolate covered nuts, wood and musky soil. The cold draw was medium firm with tones of hay, tea and wood. A far cry from the rich potent aromas on the wrapper and foot.

First Third: How You Doin’!!!

Well ladies and gentlemen, I’m in love…I think. I’m immediately hit with a powerful yet balanced blast of spicy black pepper, sweet red pepper and woody nuttiness. I’m experiencing old leather, raisin and baking spice thru the nose on the retrohale. What an amazing start to the Patina Habano, with a perfect draw and an admirable cloud output. The smoke is not as thick as it feels but it is raging off of the foot.

Later on in the 1st third, I notice a slight metallic mineral flavor that isn’t off putting in this case because it’s balanced by the initial flavors. Also, there is a refreshing cream flavor floating around on the palate as well as the retrohale. I couldn’t have scripted a better introduction to a cigar.

I'm immediately hit with a powerful yet balanced blast of spicy black pepper, sweet red pepper and woody nuttiness. I'm experiencing old leather, raisin and baking spice thru the nose on the retrohale. What an amazing start to the Patina Habano,

Second Third: Habano Love

Just as I thought the spice factor had warn out it’s welcome, it came charging back at my palate and nostrils in the form of a black and white pepper grenade. A creamy cedar is leading the flavor parade at this point and the woody finish lingers on my tongue quite a bit. At the half way point, I start getting blessed with a hint of a dark cherry licorice like sweetness and some subtle warm baked bread nuances. I guess it’s also fair to say that the strength has reached full because I’m getting a head buzz!

A creamy cedar is leading the flavor parade at this point and the woody finish lingers on my tongue quite a bit. At the half way point, I start getting blessed with a hint of a dark cherry licorice like sweetness and some subtle warm baked bread nuances.

Final Third: Best Blind Date Ever.

Cedar, leather and cream are the contributing factors opening up the Patina Habano finale. Also, the flavor of white pepper is noticeable but not the spiciness of it. we’re at a smooth level of bonding at this point. However, I am still getting satisfying blasts of dried fruit and citrus in the nose. Before I reached nub territory, I clipped the head again to open the cigar back up a bit. I guess drooling over your cigar from sheer bliss will inevitably cause a little tar build up, LOL! This alleviated any bitterness from ruining our night together. I Put the cigar down in the ash tray for the final time with semi sweet creamy cedar coating my palate.

I can’t help but to reiterate how beautfully made this cigar is. It’s quite possible that I stared at it for at least 20min, admiring it’s craftsmanship. After thinking, I realize that Casa Favilli only puts out works of art, considering the Mombacho line. I’m on the verge of diving into both brands as I’ve sampled 1 from each, including this one. But, I can honestly say that I am looking forward to the experience!

I’d like to give a special S/O to my Brothers Shad Bates from Janus Tobak and Mike aka @EmojiStogies for providing all the Patina and Mombacho cigars in my humidor. I would also like to Thank you guys for taking the time to share another cigar adventure with me.

Don’t forget to register on iROBUSTO.com for up to date info, reviews and giveaways. Be sure to leave comments and feedback on these reviews so I can share your thoughts and opinion on the cigars I review.

CHEERS & SALUTE

Cigar Review | RoMa Craft Neanderthal

September 16, 2017CutLightSmokeReviewsfloral, nutty, pepperLeave a comment

Power: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican (San Andrés)
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, & Pennsylvania

There are many different weapons of choice when it comes to cigar brands, whether it is an enticing band or package, a rich history and origin, a gimmick such as a cereal box prize, or even an unusual size or shape. When it comes to the RoMa Craft Neanderthal, the secret ingredient is quality. I would call this full bodied menace the ultimate dark horse of the cigar world. The first time I picked up the Neanderthal was coincidentally the first time I met Michael Rosales. The date was June 12, 2017 and Michael had come to visit Brookelynn Cigars while he was in the area. When I greeted him, he immediately took an interest in my pallet. Me being a fan of full bodied cigars, he led me to a corner of the humidor I rarely visited and handed me the Neanderthal. With little knowledge of the brand or company, I have to say, I didn’t have high hopes. A plain wooden box etched with a crude etching of what looked to be a caveman held a simply banded cigar.

Despite my doubts, I lit for the very first time what would end up being one of my favorite cigars to date. The first thing I noticed was the very flat bottom of the cigar that I was nervous of cutting for fear it may unravel. Using an XO cutter, I quickly snipped a sliver of the cigar with the uneasy feeling I may have ruined the thing in front of the man who distributed it. To my surprise the wrapper held firm and didn’t flake whatsoever. Upon lighting the cigar, I noticed how effortless it was to get a nice even burn. With a little roasting and one rotation with the torch, I felt a bellowing of smoke enter my mouth. This cigar had all of the flavor and strength I had been craving from a full bodied cigar.

For this review, I am revisiting this titan in an attempt at viewing it without cigar shock. With a few under my belt, I am now able to impartially review the full span of the stick.

First Third

At my first light, I am once again greeted with an amazingly even burn and a bellow of thick creamy smoke. The nutty taste masks the strength of the cigar with a sweet light taste on the pallet. The flavor has yet to coat my tongue with a strong after taste almost tickling my tongue with its flavor. As far as the flavor profile goes, it seems very dynamic. It is certainly a cigar that grabs your attention. Unlike many cigars of the same strength, it seems to alternate between its own flavor profile. It’s almost as if there are small bits of flavor hidden throughout the cigar that arrive at different points overlapping as it burns. This may be due to the mixture of Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. With a very modest wrapper and binder, the flavors of the filler are really able to shine.

Second Third

By this time, the flavor has really leveled and blended together well. The taste is now resonating evenly across my pallet with a very subtle tone of earthy nuttiness. The wrap has kept its shape and has required very little touch up in terms of the burn. The draw is still very strong with no resistance to the pull at all. The cigar itself seems very well crafted with no aesthetic problems that really help to enjoy the full experience. I am now starting to feel the beginnings of the buzz. It seemed to almost come out of nowhere. Overall, this third is very consistent with its flavor and burn – a very relaxing smoke thus far.

Final Third

The peppery signals are just now starting to break through to the surface. As with most cigars, the flavor is now much more intense. With the last third, it almost feels like a sprinter giving his all in the last portion of the race. The Neanderthal is now reminding me that it is truly a full bodied smoke. The same floral and nutty flavor is now being spear headed with a very light peppery bite. The buzz is now completely present without any sort of cigar burps or queasiness. I am absolutely amazed with the cigar’s overall construction with very minimal flaking even at the last inch and beyond. With a consistent draw all the way through the stick, it is difficult to be disappointed with the performance of the construction itself. I have found myself smoking this one down to the wire. The only negative experience from the last third would be the burn of the ember on my lips.

Overall Thoughts

If I could rename this cigar, it would be “The Creature of Habit.” With the overall consistence of the smoke itself, I could see this being a cigar full-bodied fans return to time and time again. The only criticism I have is the band is far too tight and difficult to remove. If you are a fan of minimal pepper in a strong cigar this is definitely a must smoke. If you are looking for an incredibly flashy cigar this one may fall a little short, but someone who seeks consistency and quality will be met with a pleasant surprise.

Jeff’s Suggestions

Time of day: If you are a veteran smoker who can handle a buzz I would suggest smoking this around mid-day. A very light flavor really compliments a nice sunny day.

Alcohol Pairing: As far as liquor goes, I would suggest a nice scotch whiskey.

A cigar to share: This may not be the best cigar to share with your inexperienced friends. This is a full bodied cigar and may flatten a first time cigar smoker. However, as far as a cigar to pass around at a poker game with your veteran friends, this is definitely a crowd pleaser.

Score
9/10

-Jeff Spaghetti