Cigar Review: Black Works Studio NBK

Vitola: Corona Larga
Size: 6″ x 46 ring gauge
Price $9.00 MSRP
Obtained From BWS as a review sample

Background

I’d like again thank the people over at Black Works Studio for giving me a chance to try some of their new blends.  Today is the follow up from last weeks review of the Killer Bee, the NBK.  It is again made only in one size, a 6″x46 corona larga.  They come packed 20 to a box.  They are comprised of Nicaraguan fillers and binder with an Ecuadorian habano wrapper.  This was my second experience with this cigar.

Prelight

The wrapper on this cigar is a slightly reddish medium brown in color with lots of tooth to it.  The tooth was slightly flattened by the box press, which is pretty normal.  It also showed some oils, but not as much as I’m used to seeing from Ecuadorian habano.  When I gave it a squeeze there was a slight amount of give and no soft spots.  I’ll also note that the triple cap on this example was excellently executed.  Putting my nose to the wrapper I noted the aroma of leather with leather and barnyard coming from the foot.  After clipping it and taking a cold draw I noted a sweet saltiness with a good draw.

Flavor

The cigar starts off with cinnamon sweetness and a good amount of spice on the tongue.  After taking a few puffs I started to get some red pepper spice on the retrohale as well as flavors of earth and wood starting to come through.  The cigar started off at the upper end of medium strength.  As I moved into the second third the spice had mellowed out a lot.  The flavors I noted were of cedar, cream, earth all with a slightly sweet finish.  It stayed at the same strength in this third.  The spice did start to come back during the final third as well as the flavors changed slightly to wood, leather, earth and cinnamon.  The strength built a bit to medium-full during this third.

Construction

The draw was perfect throughout and the burn line was straight.  I very much like a company that can consistently make a well constructed cigar.

Value

It’s price was definitely in line with it’s peers.

Conclusions

While there wasn’t anything wrong, and the great construction didn’t distract from the enjoyment, I just didn’t find myself liking it as much as the Killer Bee.

By-The-Numbers

Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10