Wrapper: Corojo 99
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: Corona (6 x 46)
Strength: Medium
Purchase Link: Black Star Line Dark War Witch
DARK WAR WITCH REVIEW – DOM
Summary: Cedar and chocolate covered raisins make the start of this cigar a nice snacking dessert. From dessert to a deserted island, I’m getting palm tree and ginger tea (bring me some rum please?). Vanilla wafer.
The second half cruises along with graham cracker as the predominant flavor. Definitely smoke this cigar outside because the smoke output could almost rival a Nica Rustica.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Fog horns.
Pairing Suggestion: Rum.
Perceived Strength: Medium.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack.
DARK WAR WITCH REVIEW – RICH
Summary: We've got an attractive box-pressed cigar with a wrapper that's smooth, smooth, smooth to the touch. Flavors include chocolate, cereal grain, oak, a bit of chili pepper on the front of the tongue, cinnamon, vanilla, and, later in the cigar, coffee. At a few points, there was something that reminded me a lot of apple cinnamon. I hope someone else writes apple cinnamon and backs me up on that.
The draw and burn were both good. The burn got a touch wavy from time to time, but corrected itself without any problems. Overall, the cigar performed well and tasted great. Go buy some!
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Fall. This should be the new cigar of fall. I bet it would pair great with a PSL.
Pairing Suggestion: Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Perceived Strength: Medium-
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box.
DARK WAR WITCH REVIEW – BEN
Summary: What lovely construction. Wrapper is as smooth as milk chocolate and the cold draw tasting like a light spiced marshmello; if that's even a thing. I love marshmallows!
First few puffs have an overwhelmingly note of green pepper spice with a lingering leather aftertaste. Can't figure out if I like it or am simply curious about the combination.
I'd like to note that I felt attacked by hubcap shaped short filler droppings. Ash ash ash EVERYWHERE! The second third is giving spice on the retro transitioning into heat. I like this. HELLO cedar and wood. I didn't capture any sweet notes. Floral maybe and graham cracker hints.
More hubcap shaped ash droppings. Last third is much the same. Contrary to a profile I was unfamiliar with, I did smoke it down to the nub. However... I need water nooooow!
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Jalapeño cornbread.
Pairing Suggestion: Tons and tons of water.
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack.
DARK WAR WITCH REVIEW – TED
Summary: This cigar is a firm, box-pressed stick. Hay and fresh bread from the cold draw with a little spiciness on the lips.
Initially, bold, warm wood notes mixing with some baking spices and citrus. It’s like lemon peel with cinnamon. I recently heard a person on a podcast say they don’t believe most cigar smokers retro hale. Well, I do. A lot. I personally think if you do not learn to retro hale smoke then you’re missing out on most of the flavors the cigar may offer. This cigar, in retro hale, is a smooth mix of wood, coffee and bread, with a large dash of pepper spice thrown in. Not a lot of nuance, but I dig this profile so far.
Moving into the middle portion I’m enjoying great smoke production and perfect construction. It’s still primarily wood notes but also includes a slightly sweet mix of baking spice, dry hay and mild tobacco. Floral notes are drifting in and out of the finish as well. The barely discernible sweetness is almost like pipe tobacco. Also, this stick seems to be burning quick.
Headed to the finish line and this stick senses the end is near, kicking up the strength a notch. I’m still tasting a warm mix of wood, leather and spices. There is an uptick in the floral notes as well with the sweetness vanishing towards the end. A+ performance notes. The retro hale smoke accentuates the floral and leather notes and adds a bit of pepper spice as well.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Sitting at the 19th hole with the boys.
Pairing Suggestion: Pomegranate Sour cocktail.
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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