December Recap

Number of Cigars Smoked: 23

Of those smoked:

• Purchased: 12 or 52%
• Gifted: 4 or 17%
• Samples Provided: 7 or 30%

Of those purchased:

• Brick & Mortar: 7 or 58%
• Online: 5 or 42%

2014 Totals

Number of Cigars Smoked: 384

Of those smoked:

• Purchased: 201 or 52.3%
• Samples Provided: 90 or 23.4%
• Gifted: 77 or 20.1%
• Traded: 16 or 4.2%

Of those purchased:

• Brick & Mortar: 95 or 47%
• Online: 106 or 53%

Top 10 Cigars of 2014

• Tony Casas Edition
• Jeremy Hensley Edition

December Cigar Reviews

Tatuaje Seleccion de Cazador (Brown Label) Lancero

In my opinion, the Tatuaje Brown Label really found its groove in the middle third and kept the groove all the way to the very end of the 7 1/2 inch cigar. If you are looking for the most complex cigar, you will not find it here. But if you are looking for a cigar that showcases satisfying, balanced flavors for over an hour and 20 minutes, this is a cigar that should be high on the list.

Sindicato Cigars – Sindicato Maduro

The Sindicato Maduro carries a premium price tag of just under $13, but it is completely justified by the experience received. The buttery flavor and texture of the smoke sat easy on the palate meshing well with the toasted popcorn and pepper spice, rounded out by the ever-evolving sweetness. From the first third to the very end, the flavors were right around the full arena complimenting the medium/full strength

Crux Cigar Company – Crux Classic

It is hard enough to release one excellent cigar, it is even harder when it is your first year of business as a manufacturer, and it is almost impossible to release more than one exceptional cigar in your first year of business. Crux Cigars has done the impossible. The Crux Classic adds a new dimension to their already quality line-up. This is is an easy box purchase in my book.

Tony’s Reviews

Drew Estate – Norteno by Willy Herrera

The Norteno is probably one of the more unique blends in his portfolio. The Norteno is complex, yet super balanced which is something Willy is known for. The flavors are very complimentary and enjoyable yet very bold in this blend. The price may be a bit steep but I personally wouldn’t mind paying the coin to include the Norteno in my daily rotation especially with the box count of 10 which makes it much easily to pull the trigger on.

La Palina Goldie Laguito Especial

It’s easy to see just want I love the Goldie series. They are incredible cigars from the packaging and construction down to the burn experience and the amazing flavor profile. In comparison to the No. 2 I’d say the Laguito Especial is rather similar. If anything I think the flavors were slightly more pronounced in the No. 2, but other than that they preformed the same and that’s a good thing cause the Laguito Especial lasted quite a while longer than the fast burning No. 2.

Guest Reviews by Jeff Oda

Bodega Premium Blends – Reunion Aperitivo

I smoked each of the sizes and this was by far my favorite, although the others were very nice in their own right.  The corona gorda just brought a better concentration of flavors to the table while not throwing off the balance at all.  Add to that ideal construction, burn and draw, and this makes for a cigar that I can easily recommend to anyone, even taking into account what would normally be for me a somewhat borderline price, which will certainly not deter me from getting my hands on more of these.

Bodega Premium Blends – Digestivo

The Bodega Reunion Digestivo proved to be an enjoyable smoke despite the initial tough draw.  The double robusto I smoked previously also had a fairly snug draw; not as tight as the toro, but still a little more effort inducing than I prefer.  Although I have not yet lit up the corona gorda, the unlit draw on it seems to be perfectly normal, so I would have to chalk up the tight draws on the others as a bit of an anomaly, especially since I experienced nothing of the sort with the Aperitivos I had.  Once I got past that, though, the flavors took off.

2014 Cigar Reviews

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#10. Partagas – Homage 62

Wrappper: Honduran Olancho San Agustin | Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf |Filler: Dominican, Honduran and Mexican

The Partagas Benji Homage 62 is an outstanding cigar. The flavors were easily distinguishable and the variations among the flavors were intriguing. The only short-fall of the Homage was the multiple touch-ups needed throughout the cigar to get the wavy burn back in-line. Benji Menendez should be extremely proud of this cigar that pays tribute to his 62 years in the industry.

You can find the full review HERE.

#9. Agio Cigars – Balmoral Royal Selection Anejo 18

Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro | Binder: Dominican Olor |Filler: Brazilian Bahia, Dominican Olor, and Nicaraguan Ligero

The Balmoral Royal Selection Anejo 18 is a very unique and special cigar. The profile was intriguing in the first third with the sour grass notes, well balanced in the second third with the added sweetness and coffee, and completely satisfying in the final third with deep, dark, full flavors. There was never a dull moment with the Anejo 18 as it was continually introducing new flavors and building in intensity with the flavors, body, and strength.

You can find my full review HERE.

#8. Kuuts Cigars – Miro Lancero

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra | Binder: Nicaraguan |Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran

The Kuuts Miro Lancero is a very nice evening smoke that delivers in the spice department for sure. Don’t let the small ring gauge trick you. This Lancero packs a punch with its strength. Other than the flaky ash, the performance was just about perfect with an easy draw that delivered a copious amount of smoke and the burn was even throughout.

You can find my full review HERE.

#7. Crux Cigar Company – Crux Classic

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) | Binder: Nicaraguan | Filler: Nicaraguan

It is hard enough to release one excellent cigar, it is even harder when it is your first year of business as a manufacturer, and it is almost impossible to release more than one exceptional cigar in your first year of business. Crux Cigars has done the impossible. The Crux Classic adds a new dimension to their already quality line-up. This is is an easy box purchase in my book.

You can find my full review HERE.

#6. Sindicato Cigars – Sindicato Maduro

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Morrón | Double Binder: Nicaraguan (Esteli) | Filler: Nicaraguan (Esteli and Jalapa)

The Sindicato Maduro carries a premium price tag of just under $13, but it is completely justified by the experience received. The buttery flavor and texture of the smoke sat easy on the palate meshing well with the toasted popcorn and pepper spice, rounded out by the ever-evolving sweetness. From the first third to the very end, the flavors were right around the full arena complimenting the medium/full strength.

You can find my full review HERE.

#5. Drew Estate – Herrera Esteli Lancero

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano | Binder: Honduran | Filler: Nicaraguan

Willy Herrera far exceeded my expectation with the Herrera Esteli Lancero – Edicion Limitada 2014. This small ring gauge brought more body, fuller flavors, and a good amount of strength to the table. From start to finish, this stick was an absolute treat. A classic smoke well worth the $12 price tag. I look forward to the direction Willy Herrera will take Drew Estate Tobacco Company in regards to the expansion of their traditional lines.

You can find my full review HERE.

#4. Tatuaje – Cabaiguan Guapo Lancero

Wrapper:Ecuadorian Sun Grown | Binder:Nicaraguan | Filler: Nicaraguan

I have been a fan of Tatuaje for some time, but there were several cigars included in the sampler that I had yet to smoke and the Cabaiguan Guapo was one of those. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect first experience with a cigar. The cigar burned cool and even. There were no touch-ups or ashes dropped in my lap. Just a complex, flavorful cigar to sit back and relax with. One thing I noted on this lancero was how big, deep draws brought out an overwhelming pepper, while a small shallow draw highlighted  the nuances of this stick.

You can find my full review HERE.

#3. Crux Cigar Company – Crux Passport

Wrapper: Ecuadorian | Binder: Nicaraguan | Filler: Nicaraguan

While I did not find the Crux Passport overly complex, I never found myself bored with the cigar. The cedar, woodsy flavor held strong throughout, accompanied by more subtle citrus and honey notes. The Passport does not lack in the spice department either. I was very pleased with my two experiences with the Passport. There is finally a new company on the scene that I am excited to get fully behind.

You can find my full review HERE.

As I went back and read my review, I realized my excitement and enjoyment of this stick did not come across as I would have wanted it to. But the truth is the Crux Passport has been in the front of my mind since I smoked it back in May. I revisited the stick a few weeks back to make sure it was all it was cracked up to be  and I think I was even more impressed with it. The Crux Passport is easily the best bang for the buck on this list and worthy of the #3 spot for 2014.

#2. Ezra Zion Cigar Company – Honor Series FHK

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres | Binder: Indonesian |Filler: Brazilian and Nicaraguan

This cigar was an absolute treat! The flavors were bold, balanced, and quite complex. The performance was spot on with an even burn and firm ash. What more could you want in a cigar? All for a price under $10. I HIGHLY recommend the Ezra Zion Cigar Company Honor Series FHK. Being only two months into the year, I think I may have found a contender for my 2014 Top 10 List.

You can find the full review HERE.

This is the second year in a row that Ezra Zion Cigar Company has claimed the number 2 spot on my top 10 list. Last year, the Tantrum was the runner up for the cigar of the year. Ezra Zion Cigar Company has consistently put out solid cigars, with the FHK being no exception. To be honest, the top three cigars on this list could be interchanged for the cigar of the year. I tip my hat to Chris Kelly and Kyle Hoover.

#1. Sindicato Cigars – Sindicato

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo Shade Grown (Jalapa) | Double Binder: Nicaraguan (Esteli) |Filler: Nicaraguan (Esteli and Jalapa)

I have only smoked a couple great cigars this year and the Sindicato by Sindicato Cigars is one of those. Actually, this may be the very best I have had this year. I was caught off guard with how much I enjoyed this absolute treat. The cigar burned for over an hour with a wavy burn that was of no concern, producing a salt and pepper ash that held over an inch, and copious amounts of smoke poured out of the cigar with each draw. While the flavors may not have been necessarily unique on their own, it was the perfect balance of the those flavors that is something not commonly seen. Even with a price over $10 for the Corona Gorda, I highly recommend this stick.

You can find my full review HERE.

Coming in at #1 on my Top 10 Cigars of 2014 list is the Sindicato by Sindicato Cigars. The Sindicato Maduro is not too far behind finding the #6 spot. When I first smoked through Sindicato’s line-up in 2013 of the Hex, Affinity, and Casa Bella, I found them each to be average to good cigars. This year’s releases of the Sindicato and Sindicato Maduro took the company and their cigars to a whole new level. I was blown away by both, but the original Sindicato delivered, in my opinion, a perfect smoking experience, which makes this my Cigar of the Year!

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According to a press release by Sindicato Cigars:

The new Sindicato Maduro is a square-pressed cigar with an unfinished foot and is crafted with a beautiful, San Andrés Morrón wrapper from Alberto and Alejandro Turrent. Master blender Arsenio Ramos has combined this wrapper with the finest tobaccos from the farms of Eduardo Fernandez in Estelí and Jalapa, Nicaragua. The combination of this magnificent dark wrapper with a rich, bold Estelí double leaf binder, encompasses a blend of strong, flavorful Estelí and Jalapa leaves, which deliver a three quarter-full strength cigar with a unique taste.

The Facts

Samples Provided by Sindicato Cigars
Price: $12.95
Vitola: Churchill (square-pressed)
Size: 7 by 52
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Morrón
Binder: Nicaraguan (Double Binder)
Filler: Nicaraguan (Esteli and Jalapa)
Smoke Time: 2 Hours and 10 Minutes
Drink: N/A

Pre-light

The Sindicato Maduro is dressed in a very dark brown Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper. The black and silver band, with its gold trim, is eye-catching against the dark leaf. Stitch-like veins are scattered down the leaf that contains a good amounts of oil and a fine tooth. There is one small crack found in the wrapper, which I assume is from shipping. I find faint aromas of cedar and barnyard, along with some sweetness on the wrapper. While this cigar usually features a shaggy foot (as seen in the lower-right picture), somewhere in the travels the extra wrapper leaf broke off my review sample revealing the filler tobaccos.

As I bring my nose to the foot of the cigar, I am met with mild notes of red pepper and cedar. As odd as it may be, the foot aroma is very clean smelling. A swirled pigtail cap brings the Sindcato Maduro to a close. Upon clipping the cap, a free draw presents a buttery popcorn flavor, rich notes of clove and cedar, and some mild spice.

First Third

The Sindicato Maduro is opening with notes of popcorn, butter, sweet tobacco and a peppery spice. The buttery popcorn flavor on the cold draw transferred directly into the profile once lit. The pepper spice is highlighted on the retrohale accompanied by some notes of earth and cedar. The smoke feels creamy in the mouth, but not overly thick. An even burn is leaving behind a light grey ash. Up to this point in the cigar, I would rate both the flavors and strength as medium/full.

 Middle Third

Burning into the second third, the majority of the development has taken place as the sweetness evolved from sweet tobacco notes to a combination of cocoa and jam. The toasted popcorn continue to make up the core of the smoke. Approaching the crack, the wrapper begins to lift, but I am able to burn pass the crack with no major issue. The flavors are very well balanced and I am not perceiving any additional nicotine in the cigar.

 Final Third

The toasted notes have moved to the front of the profile pushing the sweetness to the background, but unsweetened cocoa and coffee linger on the finish of the smoke. The black pepper, which arrived early on in the cigar then dissipated in the middle third, has made a return. The Sindicato Maduro is much more rich than earlier as I begin to close out the cigar after two hours of smoking.

Wrap-up

The Sindicato Maduro carries a premium price tag of just under $13, but it is completely justified by the experience received. The buttery flavor and texture of the smoke sat easy on the palate meshing well with the toasted popcorn and pepper spice, rounded out by the ever-evolving sweetness. From the first third to the very end, the flavors were right around the full arena complimenting the medium/full strength. With Christmas around the corner, the Sindicato Maduro is an excellent choice to celebrate the Christmas season with your friends and family.

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Monthly Recap – July & August

Number of Cigars Smoked: 64

Of those smoked:

• Purchased: 25 or 39%
• Gifted: 16 or 25%
• Samples Provided: 22 or 34%
• Traded: 1 or 2%

Of those purchased:

• Brick & Mortar: 8 or 32%
• Online: 17 or 68%

Most Memorable Cigars Smoked

#1. Crowned Heads – Jericho Hill – During a work trip back to El Paso in August, I had an opportunity to burn a handful of cigars with Tony. He also hooked me up with a bunch sticks. The Jericho Hill being one of them. If you have read this blog for any amount of time, you know that I am a huge fan of Mexican San Andres tobacco. The Jericho Hill wears a San Andres wrapper over its Nicaraguan binder and filler and delivers flavors of molasses, chocolate, woodsy notes, and pepper. The profile is balanced and the performance is solid. The Jericho Hill is a great addition to the Crowned Heads’ line-up. Check out Tony’s full review of the Jericho Hill by Crowned Heads HERE.

#2. Crowned Heads – JD Howard Reserve – Being my 2013 Cigar of the Year, you would think that I would be constantly smoking them. However, with the constant flow of news cigars to the market, it is easy to forget about last year’s sticks. After months of not smoking one, the JD Howard Reserve is still all its cracked up to be, one heck of a good stick. The Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper adds a level of uniqueness to the profile. This is a stick I highly recommend. Actually anything from Crowned Heads is worth searching for and smoking. Check out my full review HERE.

#3. E.P Carrillo – New Wave Connecticut – I won’t focus on the flavors or performance of the NWC, but my experience. I introduced my step-dad to this cigar a couple years back and he has been a faithful smoker of them since with a readily available supply in his desktop humidor. As mentioned earlier, I had a work trip back to El Paso in August where I stayed with my mom and step-dad, Rick. The evening I arrived, Rick and I lit up a NWC and hung out late into the evening catching up with each other. I always enjoy Rick’s company and especially enjoy having a cigar with him. I look forward to my next El Paso trip to burn another E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut with him.

August Cigar Reviews

Tatuaje – Cabaiguan Guapo Lancero

I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect first experience with a cigar. The cigar burned cool and even. There were no touch-ups or ashes dropped in my lap. Just a complex, flavorful cigar to sit back and relax with.

Montecristo Espada

The middle and final thirds flavors were enjoyable, but I don’t smoke a cigar to only enjoy two thirds of it. I think additional rest and aginng of the Espada may relieve the bitterness in the first third. I am going to put my last sample away and revisit in 6 plus months.

Sindicato Cigars – Sindicato

I have only smoked a couple great cigars this year and the Sindicato by Sindicato Cigars is one of those. Actually, this may be the very best I have had this year. I was caught off guard with how much I enjoyed this absolute treat. 

Asylum Cigars – Asylum 13 “99 Problems” Lancero

For the first forty-five minutes of smoking the Asylum 13 “99 Problems” Lancero, I thought I may have found a top 10 candidate for 2014. The flavors met my palate just right and hit on all cylinders. Then a weird thing happened at the halfway point, the flavors flat-lined.  Not that the flavors became hard to palate, but there was just not much to them.

July Cigar Reviews

H. Upmann – The Banker

Total Flame Cigars – Dark Line

Total Flame Cigars – FTW (Forever Two Wheels)

The post Monthly Recap – July & August 2014 – Jeremy Hensley Edition appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

Blended by Arsenio Ramos at the Casa Fernandez factory in Nicaragua, the Sindicato is available in six vitolas: Corona Gorda (5 1/2 by 48), Robusto (5 by 54), Toro (6 by 54), Belicoso (6 1/8 by 54), Churchill (7 by 52) and Magnum (6 by 60). The Sindicato began to hit shelves in May 2014.

According to Sindicato Cigars’ Website:

Sindicato is a square-pressed Nicaraguan Puro crafted with a limited, shade-grown Corojo wrapper from Eduardo Fernandez in Jalapa, Nicaragua. This beautiful wrapper is grown under shade to ensure the leaf’s consistent appearance. Master blender Arsenio Ramos has combined this unique wrapper with a rich, bold Estelí double leaf binder, which encompasses a blend of strong, flavorful Jalapa and Estelí leaves and delivers a medium-full strength cigar with exquisite taste.

The Facts

Samples Provided by Sindicato Cigars
Price: $10.95
Vitola: Corona Gorda (square-pressed)
Size: 5 ½ by 48
Wrapper: Nicaraguan – Corojo Shade Grown (Jalapa)
Double Binder: Nicaraguan (Esteli)
Filler: Nicaraguan (Esteli and Jalapa)
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 15 Minutes
Drink: Water

Pre-light

As I begin to examine the Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper leaf that is medium brown in color, I immediately think of a Padron Anniversary due to its rustic quality. The natural characteristics of the leaf are apparent with tons of veins webbing across the cigar, color imperfections, and water spots. However, the wrapper remains smooth to the touch. The wrapper has a very faint aroma of some sweet tobacco notes accompanied by black pepper. The shaggy foot gives off notes of cedar and black pepper.

The cigar comes to a close with a swirled pig-tailed cap. Upon clipping the cap, I find a perfect draw that is showing off some rich cedar notes and  a crazy, unique artificial-like fruit candy sweetness.

First Third

The Sindicato begins with a creamy texture similar to the sensation you would get sucking on a Werther’s Original. The flavors are medium-full highlighting a balanced bouquet of flavors. One thing about cigars that are really well-balanced  is I have a difficult time pinpointing specific flavors. In the first inch, the only discernible flavors are of oak and pepper, along with a slight tartness. The pepper stands out on the retrohale but is not overpowering. There is some sweetness that is rounding out the darker edges of the smoke. I am not sure if it is because my mind is stuck on butterscotch or what, but there may be some vanilla and caramel sweetness. At the close of the first third I am already feeling a small amount of nicotine.

Middle Third

For a cigar of its size, the Sindicato is burning slow and cool, which is just fine with me. It is just so dang good I don’t want this cigar to end. There has not been much development in the profile except for some toasted notes and some dusty cocoa that is now on the finish of the smoke. The thick, eyeliner burn is trucking along that has been wavy from the start. But so far, no need for a touch-up.

Final Third

The richness I noted on the cold draw is now front and center as I burn into the last third of the Sindicato by Sindicato Cigars. The toasted notes that entered in the middle third are still holding strong, the cocoa has gained ground, and possibly some black tea has shown up. I am still enjoying the heck out of the creamy mouth feel that just add so much to the stick. The smoke production is just awesome, each small draw fills my mouth with flavorful smoke. The strength has not changed much from the start but along with the flavors it is right at medium/full.

Wrap-up

I have only smoked a couple great cigars this year and the Sindicato by Sindicato Cigars is one of those. Actually, this may be the very best I have had this year. I was caught off guard with how much I enjoyed this absolute treat. The cigar burned for over an hour with a wavy burn that was of no concern, producing a salt and pepper ash that held over an inch, and copious amounts of smoke poured out of the cigar with each draw. While the flavors may not have been necessarily unique on their own, it was the perfect balance of the those flavors that is something not commonly seen. Even with a price over $10 for the Corona Gorda, I highly recommend this stick.

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For more information and a list of participating retailers check out the press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SINDICATO CIGAR COMPANY ANNOUNCES NATIONAL HEX DAY JANUARY 18TH

Boca Raton, FL – January 6, 20134

Sindicato Cigar Company, based out of Boca Raton, FL, has announced that January 18th will be “National HEX Day” in celebration of the release of their second Premium brand, HEX.  All consumers who visit participating retailers and repeat the phrase “HEX ME!”, will receive a FREE HEX cigar, while supplies last.

Participating retailers will have stick and box promotions for the day, along with limited edition HEX t-shirts for giveaways.

Consumers who buy 3 or more HEX cigars during the “I’ve been HEX’D” weekend will be automatically entered in the “HEX giveaway promotion”.  Winners will be announced on February 15th.  The Grand Prize winner, along with his retailer, will visit the Nicaraguan factory of Omar, Omar Jr., and Alexis Ortez, where HEX cigars are handcrafted in Condega. In addition to a visit to the Condega factory during this 3 day trip, the lucky winner and his retailer will visit the NACSA factory in Esteli, makers of Sindicato’s Affinity brand cigar.

The lucky winner will also visit the Aganorsa factory of Eduardo Fernandez, maker of the highly anticipated Sindicato brand cigar.  This Puro Nicaraguan beauty is blended by Master Blender Arsenio Ramos utilizing only the rarest and finest aged tobaccos of Fernandez’s farms in Jalapa, Esteli and Condega.

In addition to the Grand Prize winner, there will be prizes for a total of 10 consumers, who will each win a 25-count sampler of HEX’s 5 sizes.  The 11 total winners will also receive a 5-count sampler of the Sindicato Puro Nicaraguan cigar by Arsenio Ramos.

To find the nearest retailer selling HEX cigars, please visit out retailer locator at www.sindicatocigars.com.

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The Good Stuff: Haven’t heard of Sindicato? You will. Sindicato is a company formed by a group of high-profiled retailers from all across the US who decided to create their own cigars with Jim Colucci, former Executive V.P. of Sales & Marketing for Altadis USA  guiding them. Sindicato will be releasing 4 blends over the next year. The Hex, the Affinity, the Casa Bella, and one other TBA. Today, we will focus on the Hex.

The Hex starts out with a Select Dark Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, with a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan Fillers. The Hex will come in 5 sizes: Churchill (7 x 54), Perfecto (6 ¼ x 52), Toro (6 x 54), Robusto (5 x 52), and the Figurado (5 ¼ x 52). They will come in boxes of 21 and will run between $6.95 and $8.75 a stick. They should be hitting shelves in August and given the amount of retailers taking part, this should be a rather large release. These cigars were sent over to us courtesy of our great friend Abe Dababneh over at Smoke Inn who happens to be chairman of the board over at Sindicato and who is also coined as the “Brainchild” of the brand.

Size: 5 ¼ x 52
Wrapper: Select Dark Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan:
Filler: Nicaraguan:
Strength: Medium/Full
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $7.25
Pairing: Kona Brewing Wailua (American Pale Wheat Ale 5.4% ABV)

Prelight: The Sindicato Hex starts out with a familiar format this year, the figurado. I’ve seen more figurados in the past two years than any other. While I’m not a huge fan of the format, other people love them. One thing I do absolutely love is the crazy spiraled pig tail the Hex sports. Outside of the obvious characteristics the Hex sports a very dark, very oily, very toothy brown wrapper. The wrapper is pretty consistently dark brown with some almost black spots around the small veins. The wrapper feels really firm and the Hex feels as if it’s packed with tobacco. This cigar is heavy, and seriously feels like it is made of stone carrying absolutely no soft spots at all. The Hex is polished off with a simple, elegant, white and black band with the words “hex”, “Hecho a Mano” and the Sindicato logo on it. I dig this logo, but I have seen some people who were a bit curious about any religious meanings. I have no idea if that was the intention, but to me, it looks more like a Roman/Old School look and feel. I dig it.

The wrapper gives off just a ton of sweetness and cedar aromas while the foot has a bit more of a spice scent to it. The cap cut like butter using my double bladed Palio cutter. The cold draw was a bit tight, producing lots of spice and pepper with some sweetness tossed in there.

First Smoke: The Hex starts out with a whole ton of sweetness and some really strong cedar/woodsy flavors. There was also some nice cherry flavor as well as some spice with just enough black pepper to tickle my tongue. I was scared the Hex would have a tight draw due to the firmness, and the cold draw but I am happy to report that the draw is perfect kicking out a thick cloud of white smoke with every little puff. Along with that, due to the amount of oil on this bad boy the Hex kicks out a ton of cedar-scented stationary smoke as it rests in my ashtray. The burnline was a bit wavy, but I have come to expect that with the start of most figurados. As long as it doesn’t require constant attention from my lighter, I am fine. The ash left behind was slightly flaky and a light and dark grey mixture holding on for about an inch before giving way.

Halfway There: A real nice cashew flavor began to sneak it’s way into the second third flavor profile of the Hex. It paired up nicely with the soft cherry, strong sweetness, and awesome woodsy flavors the hex was already producing. The burnline, as I suspected has completely corrected itself into this second third with absolutely no help from my lighter. It’s now razor shard and dread even. The retrohale actually kicks out a whole ton of spice that I’m not really picking up in the experience adding another dimension to the cigar. The body is bold, but the strength is not as I am not feeling anything in the nicotine department as I close out on the second third.

Finish: A lot of that spice that I mentioned in the retrohale became more evident in the experience as some of the sweetness started to fade out. The finish of this cigar was incredible with lots of spice, cherry, soft sweetness, and some nice chocolate notes. That cashew remained too, but it was only on the aftertaste. I really liked the switchups in this cigar and the amount of flavor throughout. I also liked that I didn’t have to touchup or relight the cigar the entire hour and a half it took me to smoke it down to the nub. The Hex had no harshness and left me with only a tiny bit of nicotine.

Overview: This is a great cigar. The Hex really serves are a great introduction to the world of Sindicato cigars. It’s the perfect example of a medium strength cigar with tons of flavor. You really don’t need the strength to create a bold experience and the Hex proves that. The construction on this cigar was flawless and that created a flawless smoking experience as well. The price is right on point with what I would expect. It seems that $7 – $9 range is my sweet spot.  And to think, Sindicato has a cigar in the unheard of $2 price range. Keep you eye on the site as that will be coming soon as well as a review on the third release.

To Sum It Up: This is a great cigar, as long as it’s easy to find I would recommend it as a box purchase. It’s a perfect Medium-Strength cigar with lots of complexities for the seasoned cigar smoker while not being over the top for the novice. This cigar will find it’s way into my regular rotation for sure.

Pairing: I decided to pair this cigar with one of my go-to Summer ales, Kona’s Wailua. Wailua is an American Pale Wheat Ale with a twist. Coming in at 5.4% ABV this ale adds some nice twang with some Passion Fruit. Passion fruit isn’t the sweetest of fruits so what it does to the beer is interesting adding a really zesty, almost bitterness to the strong wheat-based brew. You can pick up a ton of citrus and a bit of pine in there as well. I figured the cigar already had enough sweetness that it would be interesting to see what would happen if we threw some bitterness on there and the outcome was great. It helped really balance out the experience as well as add a component that the cigar did not already have. The Passion Fruit paired up nicely with the cherry flavor that the Hex carried as well.

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