Viaje Hamaki Omakase 2019 Review

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Up for review today is the newest cigar from Yamakaze, the popular Japanese whisky brand.

Just kidding! It’s a new cigar from Viaje (read on).

The Viaje “Hamaki Omakase” is a limited run cigar from a company known for limited run cigars. The company didn’t release any blend info on the cigar nor any info on where the tobaccos are from, though I’d guess by the flavor profile that it’s largely from Nicaragua. For that reason, we’ll skip the “blend specifics” section and move straight to the review.

Appearance & Construction

As mentioned above, you could be forgiven for wondering if the branding here was ripped off straight from a bottle of Yamazaki. If you compare the box art of the Hamaki Omakase with Yamazaki 18 label, you’ll notice, let’s say, significant similarities.

I’m a marketer. I get the desire to want to profit off of the Japanese whisky boom. It’s a smart business decision. But this takes things a bit far. Even down to putting “18 cigars” in a box so “18” can be displayed in the same way that the year is presented in a bottle of Yamazaki 18. The typeface as well is nearly identical. And the overall placement of the text is uncannily similar.

This is lazy branding. And, lest anyone remind me that “imitation is flattery,” I’d say that’s true in all cases except when what’s being imitated is the graphic design of a more successful company.

All that said, let’s get to the tobacco itself.

Despite my misgivings about the branding, the outer wrapper has a silky smooth texture and a visible oily sheen that really gets me excited to light up. There are some substantial veins, as well as a major crack, but after cutting and testing the draw, the binder seems fine and the air flow with it. Off of the foot of the cigar I pick up strong spice aromas mixed with damp wood and corn chips (thanks halfwheel for identifying the corn chips).

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

On kick0ff, the Viaje Hamaki Omakase is initially spicy but immediately tones down to a very soft and creamy medium bodied smoke. The first impression on the tongue is one of slight spiciness that activates the center of the tongue, followed by very creamy notes of chocolate, oak, nougat and a tartness that I can’t quite place but which gives the smoke the kick it needs to be interesting. The cigar produces ample smoke, and though there’s some initial waviness to the burn it corrects itself quickly.

As the first third advances, some pepper creeps in on the retrohale, layered on top of the tartness from the palate. There’s also a bit more oomph on the palate, with more vegetal spice, more oak, and an creamy caramel note that is quite nice. All things told, a very good start to the cigar.

The Viaje Hamaki Omakase smokes mostly the same until well after the halfway point, which is a bit disappointing because, good as the first half was, any great cigar should have movement of flavors and strength that keeps the experience interesting. In this case though, the body and strength stay at just a touch under medium, with a core flavor profile of vegetal spice, milk chocolate, oak and that tartness which I still can’t place but would probably call a rhubarb kind of tartness. Construction-wise, the cigar continues to produce great amounts of smoke, but the burn also continues to be quite wavy and continually tempts me to touch it up.

The final third is mostly a replay of the second third, which is to say that not much changes. The spice that was fairly dominant in the first third draws back on the palate and on the retrohale, though it does ramp up a bit near the end. Otherwise, more of the same.

Conclusion

The Viaje Hamaki Omakase has a lot going for it when it kicks off, and really throughout most the smoke too. But where it shines in having great flavors, it doesn’t have a lot to offer in terms of complexity. It’s a bit of a one trick pony. Construction as well struggles throughout the course of the smoke, making the experience more frustrating than it would otherwise be.

Final Rating: 87

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Jura Seven Wood

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(Un) Balanced Single Malt for the Adventurer with Dessert

Photo: Courtesy of Whyte & Mackay

Whisky Reviewed: Jura Seven Wood
Distiller: Jura
Region:  Islay/Island
Suggested Retail Price $80
ABV: 42%
USC Rating: 94
The Whisky Reviewer: B-

Mark’s Review

The guys at Scotch 4 Dummies put it well: “People are of two minds about all Jura Offerings.” Seven Wood is no different. Note the huge gap in ratings.

We lead with the sea’s gentle mist, a wisp of peat and bourbon’s stout sweetness. Your nose dives deep in the glass because you need to make sure it’s malt. As time passes, a nasal singe bursts forth and at last shouts, “Barley!”

The Kentucky whisky theme persists as vanilla cinnamon swirl pound cake with maple icing greets your taste buds. These flavors last through the mid-palate as your impatience channels your inner Clara Peller (Where’s the Scotch?).

At last, white pepper heat rises in the back of your mouth. (Yay!) But where are all those promised wood barrel traits? The finish answers your question with a noticed increase in smoke.

My colleague, Kurt Maitland, at the Whiskey Reviewer was spot on as to how water brought out more oak flavors. Think of each barrel that held this spirit. Imagine them taking in the liquid like a sponge. Then as the temps fall, they squeeze out all the wood qualities to, at the end, create the final product.

The real question though is: How to decide if this bottling is for you? Some drinkers crave an unbalanced drink and until we add water, Jura Seven Wood fits the bill. That’s how diverse views form. Think of this as a feature not a bug.

It’s a voyage of discovery fit for the Adventurer willing to take risks. I suggest you try a dram with pecan or apple pie a la mode. Then follow with coffee or earl gray tea. The sweet sharp combination will demystify the experience and bring a smile to your face.

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 (After Water) Adventurer With Food
Chameleon Lover Hedonist Dessert or Afterwards

 

USC review: A classic maritime malt with telltale aromas of iodine, citrus zest, baked barley, and a kiss of leathery smoke. The palate has layers fruit and more decadent flavors such as milk chocolate and café con leche. Well rounded and balanced.

Whiskey Reviewer review: An interesting rollercoaster of a whisky here. The taste is candy sweet at first blush, quickly turning lemon polish spicy before one gets to the slightly bitter end. I got hints of the wine casks that this release has been paired with, but you can tell it was a brief affair with each of the non-bourbon casks. The body of this is a bit short and I’d be curious to taste this with few more years in any or all of the casks mentioned above. The mouthfeel was semi-dry turning spicy and floral. Water pulls out some of the sweetness but the spiciness remains.

 

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Wall St. Humidor—Hidden Tribeca Gem—Quietly Closes Doors

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Wall St. Humidor, first floor – photo courtesy Andy Oh

In April, Wall St. Humidor joined the ranks of other uniquely New York lounges consigned to memory like Velvet Cigar Lounge in the East Village, Beekman Bar & Books in Midtown East, JR Cigars in Midtown, and Merchants NY Cigar Bar on the Upper East Side.  If you didn’t hear about the closure, that’s because the only evidence of its closing is its sudden absence. The website is down, phone disconnected, and a ‘for sale’ sign hangs above the entrance.

In fact, if you’re a NYC cigar smoker and haven’t heard of Wall St. Humidor at all before, don’t beat yourself up. For most of the last ten years the two-story lounge was only known by a smaller inner-circle of cigar enthusiasts and FiDi workers, and one can only guess this was one of the factors that led to its closing.

The demise of Wall St Humidor is sad for a few reasons. First, the main floor, though a bit on the shabby side, was very large and had plenty of seating. And although the staff had a well-earned reputation of being inexplicably rude to newcomers (a reputation I had proved to me on two occasions), it was still a quiet refuge where cigar smokers could pick out a good smoke and take a quiet break.

For those that spent time at the place, what may be missed most of all is the downstairs lounge, which was, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful private lounges in the city, with a baby-grand piano, modern interior, private member lockers, and much more. Losing that room is sad for the entire city, because it marks the end of one of the few remaining rooms where everyday citizens can sit down, light up, and talk about issues that really matter.

Wall St Humidor downstairs – photo courtesy Andy Oh

We can hope that this is where the sad trend of cigar lounge closings ends, but with ever more stifling city ordinances around anything tobacco, and new federal laws (current and future), the list of closings will likely only grow in the next decade.

Cromagnon Mandible by RoMa Craft Tobac Review

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Up for review today is another cigar from RoMa Craft Tobac, a brand I became a fan of after finally deciding to review the Intemperance BA XXI Ambition which is a downright enjoyable smoke.  Today, we’ll look at the Cromagnon “Mandible,” which features a USA Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper (yum), and produced in the large 60 ring gauge format–I size I typically find pretty unappealing. But, today I’m up for something new, so let’s get to it.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Cromagnon Mandible by RoMa Craft Tobac
  • Wrapper: USA Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
  • Binder: African Cameroon
  • Filler: Nicaraguan (Esteli, Condega, Pueblo Nuevo)
  • Size: 4 1/2 x 60

Appearance and Construction

The outer Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper has a dark complexion and a leathery feel, and the cigar is packed tight its entire length. The band has a cool, sleek look as well, though it’s hard to read the brand name because it’s debossed in black. 

Taking a whiff off of the foot brings a blast of spice, sweet granola, and mustiness. The draw is perfect, a 7/10 in terms of amount of restrictiveness. 

I’m very excited to light up.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The Cromagnon Mandible opens with thick smoke that’s chock full of bitter espresso, coarse black pepper, grilling spices (mainly red pepper), and some charred wood. It’s at about medium in terms of strength and medium to full body, and damn it’s good. Only drawback: smoke production is adequate, but not quite as voluminous as I expected. 

At an inch in, the Cromagnon Mandible takes a significant turn toward a more savory profile, with some leather and smoked meats joining the grilling spices that are still heavy on the tip of my tongue. Interestingly, a quick purge brings out a new, creamy cocoa flavor in the smoke.  At this point, it’s clear this is a special cigar, and one I’m glad I purchased to review. 

The second third develops the themes established in the first, with the flavors finding even more balance, and the body ramping up to medium full. Flavors include charred wood, Mexican chocolate, salt, smoked meats, and heavy red and black pepper. It’s the kind of flavor profile that tricks your brain into thinking that you’re eating a full meal. The retrohale is surprisingly tame, with black and red pepper. Construction wise, the Cromagnon Mandible never falters, with the all white ash falling in one inch increments and the burn remaining razor sharp. Smoke production also improves near the end of the second third, with the cigar producing opulent amounts of smoke.

The final third of the Cromagnon Mandible is just as stellar as the first two. There are no notable flavor changes, but the smoke remains remarkably cool even as the cigar continues to deliver big flavors of wood, spice, and bitter chocolate. 

A truly excellent cigar. 

Conclusion 

The Cromagnon Mandible is a fantastic cigar. With full bodied smoke and big flavors of black and red pepper, charred wood, cocoa, and more, it’s just about as close as you can get to a perfect cigar following a big steak dinner. 

If you’re a fan of rich, flavor bomb cigars like Padron, you’ll love this blend. 

Final Rating: 94

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Highland Park 18 Year Viking Pride

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Balanced Single Malt for Enthusiasts Neat Before or After Dinner

Photo: Courtesy of Highland Park

Whisky Reviewed: Highland Park 18 Viking Pride
Distiller: Highland Park (Edrington)
Region:  Islands (Orkney)
Suggested Retail Price $150
ABV: 43%
USC Rating: 97
The Dramble Rating: 89

Mark’s Review

You had your time; you had the power
You’ve yet to have your finest hour – Queen

Edinburgh, a long time ago in a memory far, far away. The Charlotte Square hotel had an open bar and I spotted Highland Park 18. With no guilt, I took a wee pour (ok, more than a wee…). One of best value for rating single malts, HP18 is an icon. Maybe the inn felt proud to share such top class whisky with a free heart.

You might guess the tale ends here, but it’s only the start. Over the years, this Scotch kept a constant place in my glass. A sweet smooth sherried Island nose bursts from the crystal with a promise of what’s coming. That image stayed with me through many of life’s stages.

Then in the past few weeks, through some magic, it once more showed up in my Glencairn.

They changed the bottle and, like the twelve-year, called it something or other Viking-esque. Sometimes, brands over think this label thing. In my mind, I saw nothing wrong with either the old 12 or 18. We all get the idea though: life moves on and breaks with custom are trades made by the suits.

But lucky for me, the product I inhale and taste is the same balanced spirit I knew. Neat pre or post dinner, it never fails. But, I found out this Orkney gem has a secret. Add a few drops of water and wait for the flavors to explode in your mouth with a final tinge of leather smoke on the finish. For some, that’s sacrilege. For me and others, we enjoy waking new traits from their slumber.

Relish a prized dram any way you want. The Enthusiast finds their classic benchmark at a price point that won’t put you on Poor Street. You’ll find Queen’s finest hour when you do.

ps: BTW, there’s a travel version at 46% ABV. I didn’t try it yet but I’m sure the high proof gives you the same joy with perhaps more heat.

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
Chameleon Lover Hedonist Dessert or Afterwards

USC Rating: Bold and impressive nose of heather honey, nougat, cocoa nibs, smoke and stewed cherry. Malted chocolate titillates the tongue, with a kick of peat smoke pleasantly drying out the palate before hints of salted almond butter and coffee liqueur come forward.

The Dramble Rating: Highland Park 18 is commonly regarded as a classic–for good reason–it’s refined, complex and with plenty of HP distillery character. The balance of fruit with heathery peat is both enticing on the nose and palate and exceptionally accomplished throughout the whole development. It’s a whisky, which every single enthusiast should try, and just as delicious as the day I tried it.

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