Protocol Official Misconduct Review

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Up for review today is the Protocol Official Misconduct in the Corona Gordo size (5 5/8″ x 46). The cigars are made at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona factory in Nicaragua, a factory that produces (in my opinion) some of the most flavorful cigars on the market. I’ve likened La Zona in the past to Campbeltown, a region known for single malt flavor bombs like Springbank.

In any case, let’s light up and see how the cigar performs.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Protocol Official Misconduct
  • Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua
  • Size: 5 5/8″ x 46

Appearance & Construction

The outer wrapper of the Official Misconduct has a few minor veins and a slight sandy texture to it. Visually the cigar is striking, with a semi reflective silver and black double banding. The aromas are excellent: off of the foot are vibrant scents of fresh brownies, peanuts, butter, and light spicy woodiness. It’s the kind of aroma that gets me excited to get the cigar lit.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The Protocol Official Misconduct kicks off with copious smoke production and a flavor profile split between spicy, savory, bitter and sweet flavor categories. That is to say: it’s very complex. Up front is dry cedar and red pepper that hits the tip of the tongue, followed by slight sweetness and a creamy finish that coats the palate. The aroma is amazing, full of savory spices, wood, light floral and cocoa.

By the end of the first third, it’s the flavor bomb I expected it to be. Medium body, with flavor at 11/10.

As the cigar burns into the second third, the smoke takes on a slightly softer texture, and the profile is split between charred wood, hot spices, and cinnamon, with some pleasant sweet floral notes sometimes stealing some space. I’d peg both body and strength at medium plus, and I’m starting to feel the nicotine hit a bit more than most cigars. From a construction standpoint, the burn to this point has been mostly straight with the ash holding in increments of about an inch and a half.

The final third of the Protocol Official Misconduct doesn’t bring in much in terms of new flavors, but continues to shift the balance of flavors. The floral note on the nose takes a more prominent position, contrasting well with the spicier elements of the smoke on the tongue. The burn strays a bit near the end but a quick purge puts it back on track.

Thankfully, the cigar smokes cool all the way to the end, allowing me to enjoy the cigar all the way down to the nub.

Conclusion

It sounds cliche but the Protocol Official Misconduct really is all about flavor—and it’s got loads of it. While the profile doesn’t change radically throughout the cigar, the balance between wood, spice, cream and floral notes continually shifts, keeping the experience interesting all the way through. An excellent cigar most suited for late afternoon or evening.

Final Rating: 91

Dewar’s 8 Year Caribbean Smooth – Smooth Doesn’t Begin to Cover It!

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Dewar’s 8 Year Caribbean Smooth
Balanced Flavor for the Apprentice or Enthusiast in Cocktails or Neat

Photo courtesy of Bacardi Ltd

Whisky Reviewed: Dewar’s 8 Year Caribbean Smooth
Distiller: John Dewar and Sons
Region: Blended Scotch Whisky
Suggested Retail Price: $25
ABV: 40%
Whisky Apostle Rating: Stands Out
Distiller Rating: 86

I’m sitting on my porch as the cool October rain pounds the earth and the warmth of a smooth, soft Scotch is a welcome refuge from nature’s wrath. Then the coconut sense rises in my glass and whisks me away to Cayman. For a few moments, I’m lost in a vision as the spirit works its magic.

Alas, I wake and I’m back on the soggy East Coast; not on some idyllic beach. But it was a grand dream and to think a mix of Scotland and the Islands was the reason.

Aging whisky in rum barrels is hard. They can hold light to dark and in between versions. The trick is to find a balance to produce a new label exciting enough on the palate that it transports the mind yet gentle on the wallet.

I recall how master blender Stephanie Macleod uses math to form flavors that delight us. When you consider of all the kegs parent firm Bacardi could supply, the choice is daunting. Without her science skills we wouldn’t enjoy this keen blend of tropics and highlands with a harmony that evokes the cocktail lover’s art.

Try the eight-year in a Pina Colada instead of the usual rum. You’ll gain a friend to invite to your house many times.

If you’re at the Apprentice stage, you’ll learn how other casks transform the common into the uncommon. The Enthusiast, on the other hand, updates their knowledge of what it means to drink Scotch. Savor a dram neat too. There’s a constant lightness in the extracts from nosing to the mouth feel and through to the finish.

It’s easy to imagine this new mark as an apéritif. Your meal will taste that much better for the groundwork.

Mark Garbin’s Evaluation

Aromas & Flavor Appeals to: Optimal Client Type Great For:
Subtlety Aficionado Apprentice Cocktails
Power Flavor Admirer Enthusiast Neat Before Dinner
Balanced Devotee Adventurer With Food
Uni-Directional Fan Mountain Climber Dessert or Afterwards
Chameleon Lover Hedonist With a Cigar

 

Whisk(e)y Apostle review: Crafted from 8-year-old blended Scotch whisky – double-aged and finished in casks that previously held Caribbean rum for a pleasantly unexpected Caribbean smooth and tropical flavor – This (sic) is an invigorating new blend bringing together two seemingly different worlds: Scotland and the Caribbean. The result is a slightly quirky, yet supremely smooth taste, unlike anything before. More than just great tasting Scotch, Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth brings two cultures together to create something uniquely richer. Rating: Stands Out.

Distiller review: This is a fun blended Scotch from Dewar’s, with finishing in rum casks bringing a little more depth to a fairly straightforward blend. It’s a pleasantly sweet whisky, with notes of cereal, vanilla, orange peel, and chamomile. A rounded, butterscotch sweetness gives it weight. At 80-proof and affordably priced, it’s a very sessionable Scotch. – Jacob Grier

Dias de Gloria Double Toro Review

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Dias de Gloria Cigar Review

Up for review today is the Dias de Gloria from AJ Fernandez. I saw a lot of buzz on social media (particularly AJ’s) in the leadup to this release, and given AJ’s penchant for blending truly delightful smokes, I was excited to give the cigar a smoke and review it. As luck would have it, before I was able to purchase the cigar myself, I received it in a monthly batch of smokes from Luxury Cigar Club, a great mail service that delivers a monthly selection of expensive cigars at a very reasonable price.

So let’s get to it.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Dias De Gloria Toro
  • Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sun Grown
  • Binder: Nicaraguan
  • Filler: Nicaraguan
  • Size: 6×56 Double Toro

Appearance & Construction

At 6 x 56, this Dias de Gloria is a beefy cigar. I’m not usually a fan of such large cigars, but I’ve learned to give Fernandez the benefit of the doubt. The outer Nicaraguan Habano wrapper is smooth and nearly seamless, and it has quite a bit of oil and a smooth texture. Branding-wise, the cigar is beautiful. No expenses were spared on the bands it seems.

Taking a whiff off the foot produces aromas of dry cedar, espresso, white and black pepper, and some natural tobacco notes. Once cut, the draw is perfect, and the cold draw reveals a lot of spice, earth, and wood.

Flavor and Smoke Characteristics

The Dias de Gloria cigar kicks off in a way that really has me surprised. There are some definite AJ vibes but it’s also got quite a bit of new stuff going on. I’m used to AJs blends straddling the line between sweet, creamy, and bitter flavors (think chocolate, cedar and leather). The Dias de Gloria has chocolate and (lots of) cedar, but it also has a substantial savory edge that adds nice complexity. Flavors include cooking spices (white and red pepper), salted peanuts, perfume and a creamy vegetal note that I’m more used to finding in Quesada blends. The retrohale is aggressive and toasty, with some pepper, vegetal, and mineral notes.

Overall, strength and body are both at medium plus in the first third.

At an inch and a half in, the layered white ash is still holding on, and the burn is flawless. The overall balance shifts slightly toward sweet, with a new brioche-like bread note that morphs quickly into cinnamon cookies.

Into the second third, the Dias de Gloria backs down a bit and lands at medium. Some spice creeps into the palate, and some sweet fruit notes develop as well. The cigar is in good balance, with good complexity, and the burn remains remarkably perfect (something I’ve come to expect from all AJ cigars). Still, I’m finding myself wanting a bit more strength from the flavors. The large ring gauge might be stretching the flavors out a bit, so I’m interested to try a smaller format.

In the final third, the Dias de Gloria picks up again, increasing in strength and producing even more smoke. The cooking spices are back in full force, balanced against notes of fresh bread, powdered sugar, and tangy fruits. A bit of bitterness also shows up near the end and sticks around all the way to the end. Thankfully though, the smoke remains cool and never heats up.

Conclusion

Before lighting up I complained to my wife about how many boring blends I’ve reviewed lately. Thankfully, Dias de Gloria by AJ Fernandez is anything but boring.

It has some very enjoyable moments, mostly in the first third where the strength is highest. Notes of cooking spices, peanuts, cocoa and vegetal play very nicely together, but I think the cigar could do with some more flavor, particularly in the second half of the smoke.  For that reason, the cigar can’t achieve as high of a score as it probably would in a different size.

I’d recommend pursuing this cigar in the short churchill or robusto size.

Final Rating: 86

Rock-a-Feller Dominican Blue Review

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Rock-A-Feller Dominican Blue Cigar Review

Up for review today is the “Dominican Blue” from Rock-A-Feller Cigars. It isn’t a cigar I can say I know much about, but I can say that I was very surprised when I smoked it. Read on to find out why…

Appearance & Construction

  • Cigar Reviewed: Rock-A-Feller Dominican Blue
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
  • Binder: Sumatra
  • Filler: Dominican (piloto and HVA seco)
  • Size: 6″ x 52 toro

Appearance & Construction

The Rock-a-Feller Dominican Blue is a handsomely presented cigar, with a single gold and blue band with “R” featured dominantly in the center. Another thing I notice is just how long the pig tail is on the cap – it’s easily over an inch when pulled on. Otherwise, the outer Ecuadorian wrapper is dark brown and has a visible layer of oil. The cigar is slightly springy when squeezed, and has the same amount of give its entire length.

Taking a whiff off of the foot, I pick up sweet aromas of earth and cocoa powder. Clipping the cigar with a straight cut reveals a perfect draw (7/10 in terms of amount of restrictiveness). The flavors from the cold draw include strong cocoa powder, baking spices, earth, and tree bark.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Off the bat, I’ll give the Dominican Blue credit for producing a flavor profile unlike anything I’ve experienced before. The smoke is very light, almost tea like, and the texture is silky smooth. Flavor wise, I pick up a combination of hot cocoa powder, dusty paper, peanuts with just a hint of spice and a tart note activating the palate. The retrohale is similarly light, with notes of baking spices and potato chip. Smoke production is excellent, and I think the Dominican Blue is off to a great start.

The ash is still holding as the cigar hits the end of the first inch and a half. The smoke that the Dominican Blue produces remains remarkably smooth, and the spiciness builds on the palate and the retrohale. At the same time, a bitter charred wood note enters in, giving some nice complexity and depth to the profile.  Still, cigar doesn’t break above mild/medium in body or strength, but that is fitting given how delicate the smoke is.

The Rock-A-Feller Dominican Blue continues to develop new flavor experiences into the second third. The smoke is balanced between bitterness (charred wood, bread dough) and sweetness (dark chocolate, cream, nuts). I think the flavor development is especially important for this cigar—it’s light enough that it’s gotta deliver more flavor movement to keep the experience interesting. Thankfully, it’s delivering. The retrohale is also excellent: mild and smooth but still flavorful with bitter charred oak and light baking spices.

By the final third, the Rock-a-Feller Dominican Blue finally creeps up closer to medium. There are a few moments where the bitter side of the profile dominates a bit too much, but otherwise the profile remains balanced and the smoke cool.

Conclusion

As a mild blend, the Rock-a-Feller Dominican Blue still delivers massively on both flavor and finesse. The profile is remarkably balanced between bitter, sweet, and slightly spicy. And the retrohale is perhaps one of the most enjoyable that I’ve experienced this year.  It’s probably not the best cigar to pair with spirits given how light the smoke is, but it will smoke well any time of the day.

Overall, along the best 2019 releases I’ve smoked this year.

Final Rating: 93

Tatuaje Monster Series 2019 “The Chuck” Review

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Tatuaje Monster The Chuck cigar

Happy Halloween everyone! Let’s review a smoke befitting the occasion: the Tatuaje “The Chuck.” If there’s one series of annual limited edition cigars that’s gained a cult following, it would have to be the Monster Series from Tatuaje. Dating all the way back to the mid 2000’s, the Monster Series showcases the imagination and craftsmanship of Pete Johnson in blends like “The Mummy, “The Krueger,” “The Michael,” and in 2019, the Chuck and the Tiff. The cigars were originally released in June 2014, though in smaller size. So 2019 gives us a longer 5 7/8 x 52 format.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Tatuaje “The Chuck” (Monster Series 2019)
  • Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua
  • Size: 5 7/8 x 52

Appearance & Construction

There’s nothing special about the Chuck’s appearance except for the goulish blue and red band. The outer Ecuadorian Habano wrapper has intense toothiness to it with some knotted veins (this thing is starting to sound like a monster now, isn’t it?). When squeezed, the cigar has moderate give, and thankfully appears to be packed evenly the entire length of the cigar.

Taking a whiff off of the foot, I pick up sweet and savory aromas of barnyard, coffee, cooking spices (cue sneeze), and salted caramel. Once cut, the draw is surprisingly loose, about a 5.5/10 in terms of amount of restrictiveness. The impression of the cold draw on the palate is mainly spicy.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The Chuck opens with very aggressive full bodied smoke that’s got me immediately reaching for a glass of water. Flavors upfront are mainly black pepper, dry cedar and bitter leather followed by bitter sweet chocolate, minerality and the lightest touch of hickory. Yummy, but damn is it aggressive (even more so on the retrohale). So aggressive, that if my tongue was a person, The Chuck would be pulling is arms off and beating him over the head with them right now.

Construction wise, the cigar performs well, with a decently steady white ash. Smoke production though isn’t quite where it should be, at times requiring multiple puffs to produce ample smoke.

Tatuaje Monster The Chuck

At an inch in, The Chuck is still grinding away at my palate, with heavy doses of black and cayenne pepper, black espresso and dry wood. Tangy mustard plays in the background, adding a nice touch of complexity. As the first ash drops, I take a look at the ember and find minor tunneling which is the source of the less than average smoke production. Thankfully, a few more puffs clears the hurdle and smoke production improves.

As the Chuck develops late into the first third, the retrohale finally begins to tone down to medium, though it still has copious amounts of black pepper and charred wood.

In the second third, the Chuck dishes out more black/red pepper, dry wood, mustard and bitter espresso. There’s also a charred meat note, though it is so fleeting it almost doesn’t deserve mention. The white ash continues developing nicely, and the cigar continues producing ample smoke.

There’s less to say about the final third. The strength of the smoke drops off a bit on both the palate and the retrohale. The flavors don’t change, but they do remain mostly enjoyable.

Conclusion

Fans of peppery profiles will love this release from Tatuaje. For myself, as much as I enjoy pepper and spice, the Chuck leans too heavily on black and red pepper to win the highest rating. That said, it is a enjoyable cigar.

Final Rating: 87

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