Cigar Reviews

Protocol Announces Release of John Doe 2.0

Protocol John Doe

Protocol Cigars announces their second release in the Protocol John Doe Series with the John Doe 2.0. John Doe is the name given to unidentified males until identification can be made at a later time. The cigars will be available in 10 count bundles with a $92.50 MSRP. The wrapper, binder, and filler are unidentified at this time. The only information available is place of birth. At this time it has been confirmed that the place of birth is the La Zona Cigar Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. This installment in the series is a true limited release with only 225 bundles in a 5X52 vitola, with an unidentifiable plain white cigar band. John Doe 2.0 will be available for purchase one time only, never to be released again. Once they are gone, they will be gone forever. 

Pedigree information: 

Wrapper: Unidentified

Blinder: Unidentified

Filler: Unidentified 

POB: La Zona, Esteli, Nicaragua 

Protocol Cigars is proud to offer this installment through Omerta Cigar Co. of 7700 S. Western Ave, Suite B, Oklahoma City,  OK 73139, and their online site: http://www.purocigarhouse.com. The release date will be Saturday, July 11th, 2020. There will be an in store event and online sales, more details to follow on both companies social media platforms. Bundles and single stick sales will be available to the public on a first come first served basis. 

“We are excited and honored to have been selected by our great partners in the industry for this phenomenal release. We look forward to a great rollout event and being a part of Protocol’s rise in the industry especially here in the MidWest! Thank you Kevin and Juan for this opportunity. ” Jarrett Jackson Managing Partner Omerta Cigar Co.

Bellas Artes Maduro From AJ Fernandez

AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes MaduroThe Bellas Artes from AJ Fernandez is inspired by the Bellas Artes National museum in Cuba, and if you’ve ever been able to go there it’s easy to understand why it’s an inspiration. The Bellas Artes stands as AJ Fernandez testament that making cigars is a fine art.

When looking at the cigar the most obvious thing to notice would be the incredibly dark Brazilian Malta Fina wrapper. It is burnt umber in color with lite veining, a slight oily sheen and a bit of toothyness to it. The seams are tight and the cigar has that pillow like feeling that box pressed cigars have and no dead spots could be found along the body. The smell from the body is cedar, tobacco and hay while from the foot a sweeter black licorice sent is noticed. The cold draw has the flavor of sweat tea and tobacco.

The first half has flavors of earth and spices with a sneaky sweet finish to it. The burn stays even with the exception of having to touch it up once early on but we can chalk that up to user error. The ash hold tightly for about 3/4″ before I chicken out and knock it loose. There is plenty of medium weight aromatic smoke that adds to the smoking experience.

In the second half the flavor kicks up a bit with stronger flavors of full tobacco and spice taking the wheel. The burn continues to be even throughout the cigar, the ash is perfect and the smoke production does not disappoint. Like most every thing from AJ the construction is flawless and smokes perfectly down to a nub.

The Bellas Artes Maduro is definitely finishes off strong and full in flavor it never becomes harsh. Typical of blends from the Fernandez cigar lines. This is a great smoke for an experienced smoker but, I would only recommend this for beginning smokers if you give them the caveat that this will be a lot of flavor and a fair amount of strength. Like I always say, how is someone going to know what they like if they don’t try things different from what they normally smoke. For me this is an easy go to cigar when I’m having trouble deciding what to smoke, if you haven’t tried it yet grab several the next time you see them at your local shop.

 

Wrapper: Brazilian Mata Fina
Binder: Mexico San Andrés
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: Around $9.00 – $11.00 a stick.
Website: Ajfcigars.com
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 pints

 

La Flor Dominicana Ligero

La Flor Dominicana LigeroWhile I might not remember my first cigar or even my first few, I do remember the first cigar that kept me coming back to it. For me that was the La Flor Dominicana Ligero. Even though it’s not a brand new cigar on the market it’s definitely worth writing about. La Flor Dominicana was founded in 1996 in Santiago, Dominican Republic by Ines and Litto Gomez. They personally supervise every stage of production; from farming the tobacco at their farm in La Canela, to the art of manufacturing in their factory. For this article I smoked the Ligero 300 again.

The color of the wrapper is the first thing that gets your attention. It has the color or dark roasted espresso beans and a heavy oily sheen. I was told they use a proprietary technique for aging their wrappers to achieve this look but could not be told anymore. It does have some noticeable veins but the seams are tight and hard to find along with being both firm and yielding to the touch with no dead spots.

The body has smells of chocolaty sweetness, leather and tobacco. the pre-light draw has a light resistance to it and the flavor is a mix of cinnamon, chocolate and black pepper. The cap cuts causing no damage to the construction.

The first half has a smooth bread like flavor with pepper and nuts on the finish. There is plenty of well weighted smoke that is produced and the burn is even requiring no touch ups.

Reaching the second half the flavors shift to being more tobacco driven along with leather and spice on the end. That spice becomes more prominent nearing the end of the cigar leaving you with a, truly satisfying, full tobacco and spice flavor. The smoke production and burn remain consistent proving the companies boast of its excellent construction.

Even though this cigar is a full bodied smoke I find it to be quite smooth with a creamy texture to it. While some newer smokers might pass it by thinking that it’ll be too much for their pallet but I would disagree. Even though it is a powerhouse of a cigar the great blending on this makes it easy to be smoked by anyone. There is generally a limited quantity available each year so make sure to stock up when you see them at the shop.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Oscuro
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Price: Around $8.00 – $10.00 a stick.
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 pints