Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan

Vitola: Toro (6 x 50)

Strength: Medium

Purchase Link: La Gloria Cubana 8^th Street

8^TH STREET REVIEW – DOM

Summary: The wrapper lacks luster, but not in a bad way (like those two days during puberty when you miraculously had no face acne).  Oak, milk chocolate, and floral notes on the nose make a solid first impression. While the gray ash isn’t visually striking, it’s a nonissue because I’m not an ash guy.

Intense cinnamon and a jammy sweetness begin the second half, while buttermilk and fennel bring that caboose to the station.  The thing that stands out to me beyond the intensity or complexity of the tasting notes is how incredibly balanced they are; this is a well-blended cigar. 

If You Like That, You Might Like This: Formal table settings 

Pairing Suggestion: Cream tea

Perceived Strength: Medium

Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box

8^TH STREET REVIEW – RICH

Summary: I smoked this cigar in 16-degree weather and enjoyed the experience quite a bit. Need I say more? Probably not, but Dave is going to want me to say more so I guess I will.

The flavor profile contained a whole lot of chocolate, and it was joined by citrus, raisin, sweet earth, hay, anise, black tea, apple, graham cracker, and dry cocoa.

Smoke output was significant on this bad boy. It burned well and the draw was spot-on.

Sold yet? I am. Looking forward to finding out what this one was.

If You Like That, You Might Like This: Chocolate of any kind

Pairing Suggestion: Bourbon

Perceived Strength: Medium

Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box

8^TH STREET REVIEW – BEN

Summary: The first two puffs were earthy; gritty almost but it disappears almost immediately in exchange for tobacco sweetness and white pepper. Entering the second half, it gets salty. Odd, because I’m not a sweet and savory person but I enjoyed it.

Outside of the toasty or nutty notes, it didn’t really offer much in flavor or complexity for me. 

If You Like That, You Might Like This: Sweet and savory

Pairing Suggestion: Water

Perceived Strength: Medium

Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single

8^TH STREET REVIEW – TED

Summary: First part of this cigar featured a cherry citrus mix along with rich wood and tobacco, raisins, and orange.  It also had a lingering white pepper spice in the retro hale.  A bit further in there was also a distinct black tea flavor. Smoke production and construction were on point.

The middle section offered a smoother mix of wood, leather, strong tea, umami, raisin, and citrus.  The smoke was a bit lighter in body but continued to carry the flavors well.

Near the end there was more of the cherry notes along with wood and leather, umami, a hint of hickory smoke and dark fruit.  A shake of black pepper jumped in and finished in just the right amount of time on the palate.

If You Like That, You Might Like This: Bold cigars with nuanced profiles

Pairing Suggestion: Light-bodied porter

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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