Full disclosure: the first sample of the cigar was a bit more squishy and loose on the draw. It was quickly overcome with a sour bitterness that resulted in a very poor score… I don’t know if it was the loose draw causing it to burn too fast, fermentation or over humidification. But the second sample, that rested in my humidor a little longer, ended up being a FANTASTIC, mild ride through soft enjoyable notes. Very easy going and pleasant, a complete turn from the first sample. Perhaps a bit unfair, I chalked the first sample up to poor luck and focused on the second one for review purposes.
Football season is here, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a fine cigar in hand as you cheer on your favorite team. Privada Cigar Club is making this football season unforgettable. Even when your team falls short (and let’s face it, they will eventually), you’ll still come out a winner. We’re proud to introduce Kickoff Red and Kickoff Blue for the 2024/2025 season.
Playing on behalf of NFC teams is Kickoff Blue Natural — a medium-bodied, full-flavored cigar that delivers a smooth start and a bold finish. These masterfully crafted 6×54 box-pressed cigars are the work of third-generation Dominican tobacco farmer and master blender Jochy Blanco, who is showcasing his expertise on the real field— the tobacco fields of the Dominican Republic. Rolled at Jochy’s Tabacalera Palma, these Dominican puros deliver big flavor met with tremendous balance. Dominican cigars have never tasted this good.
Wrapper: Dominican Republic/ Binder: Dominican Republic / Filler: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera Palma/ Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Vitola: Toro/Size: 6″x54
Wrapper appearance of a brown lunch bag. Light perfumey florals, lavender, potpourri
Tobacco, leafy, lightly bready
Wheat grass, hay
After toasting and lighting I was almost instantaneously greeted with pleasant notes of soft graham and sweet honey with a mild cinnamon retrohale. These notes continued through most of the third, through slightly wavy dime stacks. Until the end of the third where the spice warms up to give off a vibe of a flaky honey cinnamon danish.
That flaky honey cinnamon danish feel carries on with the addition of a light applewood smoke finish in the very mild retro. Half way into the third the applewood note blends to turn that honey cinnamon to more of a baked apple pie danish (without the tart). The end of the third comes with the addition of a red pepper flake heat that mingles nicely with the flaky pastry crust and retro that begins to take on a more cedar tone.
