Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: 4.875 x 47 (No. 4 Marblehead)
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.
Purchase Link: Crux Passport
Crux Passport Review - California
Summary: Hickory, cedar, and cornflakes. A mild cheese? Ya I’m not backing down from that one. Definitely some tasty cheese on the finish. The ash is holding on tightly as I near the end of the first third.
Not much sweetness so far, but jasmine adds to the complexity. Some white pepper is sneaking in.
The final third is the sum of its previous parts: salty and savory. While this is not my go-to flavor profile, a drink could really set this off. I hate to end on a bad note but it does get a bit bitter at the finish.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Playing the washboard in a band.
Pairing Suggestion: Zinfandel
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Fiver
Crux Passport Review - Wisconsin
Summary: The foot of this cigar feels very squishy before lighting up, but that doesn't lead to any problems down the line. The cigar starts with strong notes of nuts and wood. There's a little salt, and a bunch of chocolate, creaminess, cocoa, toast, and pepper. I get a note that reminds me a lot of peanut butter.
It's mostly nuts and dry wood and creaminess throughout, and then it adds a nice earthiness at the end.
It was an enjoyable smoke, and I'd be glad to have a few of them on hand for when the mood strikes.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: If you like woody cigars, this one could be a hit.
Pairing Suggestion: Honey roasted peanuts - seriously, nutty cigars and honey roasted peanuts are now my food go-to.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Fiver
Crux Passport Review - Oregon
Summary: My cigar was reddish brown in color and relatively oily. Mainly I smelled barnyard and baking spice on the wrapper. It appeared to be well constructed however, after clipping a bit of the cap off, the cold draw presented rather tight. I hoped it would “breathe” after putting th torch to it.
I experienced a lot of great flavors throughout the cigar. Some of these included mild wood notes, espresso, leather and a small amount of red pepper spice. At one point I even caught a taste of macadamia nut which was a first, and very interesting. Floral notes drifted in and out of the smoke as well.
Unfortunately, the draw remained far from perfect through the first two-thirds of the cigar. Towards the end things did open up a bit and when it did, dark toast, cinnamon, fresh hay and a hint at graham cracker all found a seat at the show.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: If you like this then you like figuring out which the way the wind will blow.
Pairing Suggestion: Pair this with an Arnold Palmer or a Bloody Mary.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: I’d say fiver for this one.
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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