Cigar review: Sublimes

After seeing this beautiful cigar, simply labeled “Sublimes,” at Hoboken Cigars a few times, I knew I had to give it a try. Maybe I’m just a suck for a good aesthetic. In any case, after first smoking this stick at an FTNYC event at Hoboken Cigar, I grabbed another to give a more proper review. Paired with this cigar was a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, a 3/4 lbs steak, and some nice traditional Argentine tango music. The review is below, but first a bit from the Sublimes website:

“Having been sold mostly in South Florida since 2004, our decision to go national was the only natural retort to the years of mounting local demand and popularity. Skillfully hand-crafted in Little Havana, Miami, the end result is a cigar boasting a complex array of flavors that come together to produce an excellent medium to full bodied smoke. Sublimes cigars are truly the epitome of taste and excellence.”

Blend specifics
Size: Robusto: (4¾ – 50)
Wrapper: Habano Ecuador Rosado
Binder: Habano Nicaragua
Filler: Habano Nicaragua

Appearance & Construction

Most notable on this cigar is the gorgeous band – off white with elegant gold lettering, suggesting a sort of Latin sophistication. The color of the wrapper is a slightly dark, natural brown. The wrapper has lots of oil, and a bit of plume. Construction wise, the cigar is pretty much flawless, weighing well in the hand and with a well placed triple cap. The draw is perfect.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
This cigar opens up with smooth, slightly spicy smoke that hangs a bit on the tip of the tongue. Prominent notes are citrus, cedar, and as others have noted, hints of floral. As the cigar moves into the second third, a bit of black and white pepper are added into the mix. The cigar is medium to full bodied. At about halfway, the citrus really picks up. If this flavor sounds odd to you, imagine a dark chocolate that is married to orange peel. This profile has the same type of combo and is really enjoyable. The final third isn’t too notable, but as you can tell below, I smoked this till my fingers got singed. The ash held straight and tight all the way through.

Conclusion

Pick two or three of these sticks up. If you live in New York City, I’d suggest making the short trek to Hoboken Cigars to grab a few. This cigar would be good for veterans and novices alike.

Final grade: B+