Wrapper: Ecuadorian HVB
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano (Esteli)
Filler: Dominican Piloto, Nicaraguan Ligero, Peruvian Viso
Vitola: 6 1/8 x 52 (Torpedo)
Strength: Medium
Purchase Link: Black Prince Cigars
BLACK PRINCE REVIEW – DOM
Summary: After turning the head into a fish face (I V-cut everything that comes to a point), I pick up a vividly distinct carrot note. (I’ve tasted carrots that taste less carrot-y.) Cornflakes and bitterness. Just as I click my mental pen to note the wonky burn, the phallic peninsula of wrapper leaf on the flaky ash transforms into an island, restoring the burn line.
Halfway through, my pen is sheathed, and I find myself checking my watch just waiting for this cigar to finish. Skim milk. Time to lace up and leave.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Rabbit season
Pairing Suggestion: V8
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
BLACK PRINCE REVIEW – RICH
Summary: This cigar brought notes of cedar, hay, pepper, and cream. It started out well, then the pepper increased in a pretty bizarre way and crowded out the rest of the flavors. I didn't expect that to happen based on the flavor profile at the start.
The draw was a bit loose, though not loose enough to have been the cause of the increasing pepper & bitterness. The burn was consistently uneven; it needed a few touch-ups.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Strong starts with disappointing endings
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee
Perceived Strength: Medium-
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
BLACK PRINCE REVIEW – BEN
Summary: My first few encounters just taste like tobacco. But then, boy-oh-boy did a creamy, caramel, and cashew goodness say hello! The light pepper on the retro kicked-back a sweet and savory profile I didn’t mind. The second half heats up after cedar makes an appearance. Was that a whiff of jiffy?! The wind through my window must be playing tricks on me.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Soothing your sweet tooth
Pairing Suggestion: Espresso Martini
Perceived Strength: Mild+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
BLACK PRINCE REVIEW – TED
Summary: This cigar started with flavors of lemon peel, fresh cut wood, black pepper, mild coffee with a drop of sweet cream, leather, and some savory spices. The retro hale reminded me of lemon pepper you buy to sprinkle on cooked salmon. Nice smooth smoke through the first section too.
Further in, more of the coffee and sweet cream flavor, wood, and a mild vegetal note reminding me of green bell pepper. There was a bit of pepper spice too… white pepper. There was a long finish of the pepper spice on the palate and in the retro hale. Additionally, a slight bitterness mixed in with the spiciness. It remained smooth and enjoyable though.
Moving into the last section, I was still tasting the vegetal notes with coffee, cream, and smooth notes of wood, but there was an added flavor of a slight minty coolness followed by very mild pepper spice. I enjoyed this stick foot to cap. Very nice.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Jokes with cheesy punchlines you can’t help but smile at
Pairing Suggestion: Something sweeter but strong, maybe Angels Envy Finished Rye
Perceived Strength: Medium+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
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