Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: Robusto Grande (Box-Pressed)
Strength: Medium-Full
Purchase Link: Artesano del Tobacco El Pulpo
EL PULPO REVIEW – DOM
Summary: Roasty, toasty, and box pressed; don’t bother me, I’m smoking. About an inch in, there’s an orange citrus note in the background that comes and goes as it pleases. Whatever factory this came out of knows what they’re doing because the burn line on this box pressed stick is locked in.
Halfway down, banana here and diesel there turn this cigar into a battle of good versus evil (and thankfully unlike most Brothers Grimm folktales, good is triumphant). This is a very good cigar that just misses a home run for my palate.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Chest Bumps
Pairing Suggestion: Oreo Milkshake
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
EL PULPO REVIEW – RICH
Summary: This cigar brought notes of cocoa, oak, cream, red pepper, black pepper, gingerbread, coffee, a vegetal note, and sweetness on the lips.
It was well-made and smoked beautifully.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: If you think it's hip to be square
Pairing Suggestion: Artisanal cheeses
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
EL PULPO REVIEW – BEN
Summary: This cigar wasted NO TIME coming in hot! It's meaty, spicy, and full flavored; this smoke feels thick. nice leather, black tea leaves and an underlying, concentrated sweetness. Possibly cherry. Its spiciness transfers to the retro hale in the second third, yet it remains smooth while very full-bodied.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: That satisfying feeling you get after eating the perfectly seared steak
Pairing Suggestion: Pinot
Perceived Strength: Full
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box
EL PULPO REVIEW – TED
Summary: This cigar is beginning with a combination of very dark flavors to include dark chocolate, rich, black coffee, mild umami notes, and just a hint of a dark fruit note that I would label as plum. The finish of the profile is like a handful of almonds covered with a salt and black pepper mixture and it’s actually quite nice in the retro hale.
Honestly, the meat of the profile has not changed much as I move towards the middle of the cigar. The umami notes are more of a grilled umami than just generic, and the retro hale has lost a little bit of the black pepper spice that was present during the finish in the first half. There is also just a hint of cinnamon in the retro hale, which is adding an interesting layer of flavor when mixed with the dark fruit note.
Again, the final section of this cigar doesn’t have a lot of noticeable changes in the profile however, the flavor of almond is gone and is leaning more towards the flavor of peanuts. The profile has more overall creamy texture, but I would describe the flavor profile of this cigar and the retro hale experience as very Padron-esque, which is a high praise for any cigar in my opinion.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Steak and eggs for breakfast
Pairing Suggestion: High West Rye
Perceived Strength: Medium+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
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