Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Mexican San Andres Negro
Filler: Nicaraguan, Red/Gold Virginia, Naval Rations Oriental, Latakia
Vitola: Toro (6 x 52)
Strength: Medium
Purchase Link: Dunbarton StillWell Star Navy No. 1056
STILLWELL STAR NAVY NO. 1056 REVIEW – DOM
Summary: Oak, leather, and cocoa come out screaming at full volume. A few puffs later and I’m almost positive I’ve had this cigar before (one of the new Crowned Heads maybe?). A musky sherry note in the background forms a foundation for the other flavors. Be sure to have plenty of singles in your wallet when you smoke one of these because THE ASH IS FAT.
At the halfway point, the ash FINALLY succumbs. Dark chocolate shows off some moves that I’m digging, but I’ve already emptied my wallet. In the final third, sherry plays around in the foreground. Umami closes things out in the denouement. Encore!
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Your team throwing a no-hitter.
Pairing Suggestion: Stout.
Perceived Strength: Medium.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack.
STILLWELL STAR NAVY NO. 1056 REVIEW – RICH
Summary: We've got coffee, earth, black pepper, dark chocolate, leather, caramel, dark cherry, and a bit of cream going on here. This is a good flavor combination, though it would have hit my palate better with a little less bitterness.
Draw and burn were both good. No complaints about construction.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Mochas.
Pairing Suggestion: Bourbon.
Perceived Strength: Medium.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack.
STILLWELL STAR NAVY NO. 1056 REVIEW – BEN
Summary: Anytime a cigar starts off with hay and cedar, I raise an eyebrow. They aren't my favorite note combination but alas a citrus note appears and gives me a little hope. The first third and a half is heavy on the plant vibes w/a side of regret that I didn't smoke this outside. While I have about 2 1/2 inches of pure white ash, this cigar smokes easily and is even less complicated with little to no transition for me.
Late second third offers up leather and a bitterness of the sourdough bread variety, lasting the remainder of its time. Before I lay this to rest, an unsavory green pepper flavor lays active in my tongue for the next 6-8 draws.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Tongue scraper.
Pairing Suggestion: Club soda with lime.
Perceived Strength: Mild+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single.
STILLWELL STAR NAVY NO. 1056 REVIEW – TED
Summary: This week’s selection starts with dry notes of cocoa, wood, and warm spices. It is firmly packed, yet allows a perfect draw, producing lots of smoke. The retro hale is a mixture of lemon pepper flavor with a lasting warmth in the sinuses. There’s also a very mild citrus note on the palate. Towards the end of the first third… grape? That’s different.
Middle of this smoke majors in notes of mild coffee and bold wood with a minor in raisin, leather, and a bit of lingering pepper spice on the tongue. Construction is A+ and the smoke output hasn’t let up. At times it appears the cigar may have gone out but it’s playin’ possum. The retro hale is warmer and spicier than in the front end of the smoke.
Last part of this stick starting to ramp up in strength. Wood and earth notes followed by coffee and grilled meat. The construction is perfect and the ash is clean and very white.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Listening to your favorite cigar podcast.
Pairing Suggestion: Cold brew coffee.
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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