Cigar Review: Asylum 33

• Vitola: Corona
• 5.5” x 46 ring gauge
• ~$10.00
• Purchased at Silo Cigars

Background

Earlier this year, while I was sick, I gave some “first thoughts” on the Asylum 33 blend from a sample our local rep gave me. While my senses were a little hindered, I could tell enough from the cigar to know that I did actually like it and put it down for a “full review” when I got the time…and was able to procure another cigar. The next cigar was bought a few weeks later when I was up to Knoxville for an afternoon and stopped in to Silo while I was there. The time to review is now…

Asylum 33 was unveiled at the 2015 IPCPR show, as a joint project between Asylum owner, Tom Lazuka, and CLE owner, Christian Eiroa. The idea was that they would procure small amounts of hard-to-get tobaccos, then make the best blends they could no matter how small the run would be. All will be eventually released under the Asylum 33 banner, although if they will get “sub-names” hasn’t been really answered yet. This first version of the Asylum 33 is a Honduran puro made at the El Aladino factory in Honduras.

In expanding the knowledge I’ve gained since I posted the first thoughts story…faithful reader, Corey Zerbe pointed out that the Masonic imagery is strong with this one. If I hadn’t been feeling the ravages of the common cold when I did that first article, I might have realized that the all-seeing eye is a Masonic symbol…and an important one, I would guess, since it appears in many places, including the back of the $1 bill. He did point out, as well, that 33 is a symbolic degree in the Masonic Scottish Rite…a “very high honor, but not one that you can earn…one that is bestowed upon you.”

Prelight

I do dig the silver and holographic foil band. Look closely and you see the tie-ins with the other Asylum releases (the embossed skull logos), but overall, it makes for a very unique and individual look on the shelf, especially if you put it in a section with other Asylum and CLE sticks.

The wrapper leaf was the color of milk chocolate with just a little bit of lighter mottling in places and very minor veins. It was smooth and a bit oily to the touch and smelled of earth and natural tobacco. I got more tobacco and earth notes on the foot, along with touches of cedar and leather.

The prelight draw was very good and had a clear, sweet note to it that I really like, even if I couldn’t really identify it. Some wood and herbal notes in there, too.

Flavor

I got the Asylum 33 lit with no trouble, using just my single-flame lighter. Initial flavors were of leather and earth on the palate, followed by a black pepper and a moderate sweet note. The retrohale had a searing red pepper and roasted nuttiness. By the time I got most of the way through the first third, the sweetness had resolved into a bit of a citrus flavor and the pepper was on the rise while the earth and leather notes receded.

The citrusy zing continued into the second third and mixed with the red pepper on the palate. There were secondary notes of cedar and earth. The retrohale continued to be spicy, as well.

The citrus backed off a bit in the final third, replaced by more cedar and earth, as well as the introduction of some cocoa powder and semi-sweet chocolate notes.

Construction

I had pretty much perfect construction on the Asylum 33…great draw, even burn line and solid ash.

Value

As mentioned, this is a small batch release, which tends to drive up the price a bit. For the experience it gives, and the fact that it is a small batch cigar, I thought the price was fair.

Conclusions

The Asylum 33 is probably the best thing I’ve had under the Asylum banner to date. It had a medium-plus body with a very nice amount of complexity and flavor that made me a believer in how good Honduran tobacco can be…well, it would have made me a believer if I hadn’t had the CLE Eiroa First 20 Years a few weeks ago…now I guess it just reinforces that belief. Overall, an excellent cigar that should please fans of both CLE and Asylum. Makes for a very interesting addition to the Asylum catalog and it also makes me anticipate future offerings from this series.

By-The-Numbers

Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10