Cigar Extra: Sencillo Black

Vitola: Pirámide 60
Size: 5.5” x 60 ring gauge
Price ~$10 (I think)
Purchased at Island’s Cigar Lounge

Background

When you stop into unfamiliar cigar shops it’s always a good idea to check to see if they have anything you haven’t seen before…better yet, something you weren’t even aware of. When I was in California this year, one of the shops I hung out at was Islands Cigar Lounge in Brea, actually the site of the very first “regular” cigar shop I ever had (but it’s changed hands a couple times since then). They had a few things I hadn’t been able to get my hands on elsewhere, including this Sencillo Black LE 2013.

I knew of the Sencillo brand, but hadn’t seen any in quite some time. The brand is owned by Keith Park, the man behind the Prometheus brand and God of Fire Cigars. I vaguely remember that the Sencillo was “good” but not much else. This was “Sencillo Black” though, which I found out is different: made in Estelí, Nicaragua, by the Plasencia factory, using Nicaraguan leaf. The Edicion Limitada is a special shape and size…and, let’s face it, it looks more than a bit like an airborne squealing thing!

This is a Nicaraguan-heavy blend, using Viso Habana Condega, Ligero Habana Estelí Especial and Ligero Habana Jalapa fillers; Viso Habana Honduras and Viso Haban Estelí binders, and a Viso Habana Jalapa wrapper…so basically one of two binder leaves away from being a puro.

Notes

Presentation on these is outstanding for the sub-$10 MSRP…the band and box simply look like a more expensive cigar.

The wrapper leaf was a dark chocolate brown with some darker mottling. The pigtail on the cap was smaller than anything you’ll see on those porcine flyers I was referring to earlier. The aroma from the leaf was deeply earthy, with touches of cinnamon, cedar, and cocoa powder. I got nearly the same mix from the foot.

The powerful Nicaraguan notes of earth and cocoa powder were apparent from the very first puff. Subsequent puffing brought out some floral notes and pepper spice and even a little toastiness that I normally associate with Dominican leaf.

Despite the full flavor, complexity and heavily-Nicaraguan blend, this didn’t seem to be a terribly full-bodied smoke and early smoking didn’t indicate the strength would be over the top, either.

As the cigar progressed, I got stronger earthiness and a more-than-adequate dose of black pepper. I paired the Sencillo Black with some Ryemageddon by Corsair Distillery; it was an excellent pairing, with the peppery notes of both ping-ponging off each other.

I didn’t take more notes during the smoking of this cigar, but it was a very nice cigar experience, and I can definitely say that I prefer this Sencillo Black blend over the regular version that I had previously.