Cigar International Blue Label Review

[JGIORD]

From MFG:

We are very proud to present this charming small-batch ultra-premium blend.

Frankly this brand defines what the craft, handmade cigar industry is all about. Rolled in Danli, Honduras, Blue Label is a vivacious 3-country mixture of Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Dominican long-fillers secured by a zesty Corojo binder leaf. The bunch is then draped in a muscular, leathery Habano wrapper that’s rich and redolent. Packed with tobaccos and heavy in the hand, each Blue Label vitola cigar burns slow and cool, releasing a bold, satiny bouquet that never overwhelms the palate. Fundamentally medium to full in strength, the smoke clouds are downright velvety, coating your taste buds with quiet, contemplative notes of cedar and spice along with constantly shifting layers of oak and vanilla, which I find especially pronounced in the Torpedo. Throughout the burn, these flavors intensify, picking up a hint of white pepper along the way. That’s no BS. Frankly I can’t believe I just wrote that - I’m normally not that swept up in adjectives, but I can’t help myself here! Just do yourself a favor and try Blue Label ASAP.

Price $4.00 ea
Wrapper - Habano
Size - Robusto 5 x 50

This cigar is a Cigar International only model. It has a dark rustic Habano wrapper and sports a blue and gold band stating “BLUE LABEL”. Bunching is firm with an average looking cap. The wrapper is dark dry and has several prominent veins. It also has a very thick appearance to it.

Aroma is feint barnyard like. The prelight draw produces some sweet tobacco. Initial puffs provide a heavy spicy kick ala Don Pepin. The draw and smoke volume are very good. There are some slight earthy and more prominent leathery notes to go along with the spiciness. It doesn’t have the umph of a DPG, but its far from mild-med. The smoke has a more leathery flavor and less loamy \ earthy flavor found in the 5 Vegas Miami or San Cristobal. The spiciness quickly settles down, but remains in the background. The finish leaves a nice zesty tingling on your tongue with notes of wood and leather.

The burn is very straight with the cigar producing a semi firm dark gray ash. The aroma is pleasant and has a nutmeg & spice scent to it. Exhaling through the nose leaves an almost (dare I say it), toffee, or sweet coffee like flavor. Enjoyable.

When I first got these I smoked through them quick comparing them to my favorite DPG Black Label, which probably wasn’t fair, so I didn’t give this cigar its fair due. Laying off of them for a while and coming back to it as my first cigar of the day, shows that I underrated this smoke. It can definitely hold its own, but its a more medium-full bodied (more toward medium), medium strength blend.

It remained fairly consistent throughout the smoke, without presenting much in terms of complexity, but it still was enjoyable.

If you only like powerful cigars, this one can easily disappoint, but overall its a good smoke. I prefer this to the 5 Vegas Miami, but I’d also rate this below the Holts Connoisseur line in terms of overall satisfaction. But if you are looking for a nice lighter smoke, this may suit you fine as it falls solidly into a medium category. I'd buy more of them.

[Blowin' Smoke]

Good review

[craigchilds]

I had one of these last Friday night, on my way to the casino. It was very wet (my friend had received them a week prior from CI, said he could almost wring the water out) and somewhat harsh.

But it had a nice taste. I am hoping with a month or three humi time, they will be very good.

[craigchilds]

I mooched a couple of these, one at the casino and one by the pool. They’re If the two I smoked are any indication, they’ll stay cheap. Both cigars—even the one with two months age in the humidor—were bitter and harsh. Not at all recommended.