Cigar: Hand Gripper by Moya Ruiz
Size: 5 x 52
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
MSRP: $99.99 for a box of 12 at Smoke Inn
If there is one cigar that made me stop in my tracks, it is this next review. And it’s not necessarily because of the cigar…it’s how the cigar is presented. I try to frequent a number of different online vendors for both my everyday and review cigars. I know it had been several months since I have patroned Smoke Inn, so one day not too long ago I decided to swing by there to see what could be found. The Hand Gripper, made exclusively for Smoke Inn by Moya Ruiz, came up with the clever idea to package the cigars in the appearance of an hand gripper, used in exercise to strengthen hands and forearms. I more or less picked up a box just on the creativity of this feature alone and was more than happy to give it a proper smoke.
No construction issues on the Hand Gripper chosen for review. The cigar might have been number four or five out of the twelve so far. One benefit to how the cigars are packaged is that they will pull off from the plastic spring, leaving the cigar already pre-punched. The pre-light aromas gave me only the slightest hints of leather while the cold draw was light wood on the palette. After the light and warmup, I was greeted with an open draw and opening flavor notes of burnt wood, black pepper hitting the sides of my palette and spicy notes finishing the exhale and following up at the back of the palette. The strength hovers around medium to medium-to-full and very easy to smoke – smooth flavors both during the smoking and aftertaste. 13 minutes in was when I first noticied the easing of the burnt wood flavors. From there, the Hand Gripper settled into a groove with the strength and flavors staying as is. The next noticeable difference came at closer to the end of the cigar (44 minute mark) where the cigar gained the additions of leather and tilled earth to the flavor profile. By the end, the cigar just broke into the medium-to-full strength range but did so quietly without too much notice on the palette. Total smoking time on the Hand Gripper clocked in at 1:11.
Minus a burn correction at the 34 minute mark, the cigar smoked without any real issues. All in all, it’s an enjoyable cigar and one that will stick out in my mind.
By-The-Numbers
Pre-light: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.25/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.25/10
To recap the Hand Gripper by Moya Ruiz:
- The clever packaging and presentation will hook buyers into this cigar but the flavor profile will keep them around. It’s a well balanced medium bodied cigar that Nicaraguan flavors that I am a fan of.
- All levels of cigar smokers could enjoy this without being scared away.
- Good value for your money in my opinion.
- I would purchase these again, although I don’t know how many more Smoke Inn has available. Visiting their site recently, the Hand Gripper stated they were still available. Get them while you can.
Thank you so much for reading. I look forward to the next time I can share my thoughts with you.
