Cigar Review: Frothy Monkey by Principle Cigars

Vitolo: Petite Corona 

Size: 4 x 38

Price: $3

Purchased from Frothy Monkey

A couple of months ago, native Nashville coffee shop Frothy Monkey held a cigar event at their 8th Ave location to introduce their own line of cigars.  The driving reason behind the line, besides the obvious reason of someone enjoys cigars, is to offer a cigar that would specifically blend well with their espresso drinks.  But does this cigar stand on its own?

This cigar, with its Dominican wrapper & filler, and Connecticut binder, is produced by Nashville’s own Principle cigars. And like the other Principle cigars, they are under the watchful eye of Hendrik Kelner.  However, the Frothy Monkey line will only be available for purchase directly from Frothy Monkey. 

  

As expected, the cigar looks to be in great condition with no blemishes or large veins.  It’s got a nice milk chocolate colour and a sweet smell to it. I clipped it and torched the foot with no issues in lighting the stick. 

My first observed notes were that of a light sweet tobacco taste, but it changed directions and it developed a nice almond character.  Moving into the kid section, I tasted a blend of cinnamon and pepper.  

  

As the mid section wrapped up and I got into the last act, a taste of leather enveloped.  Not a strong pungent leather like some cigars, but a soft mild leathery taste, which is good because I’m not a super big leather fan. At least this was far from overbearing, but flavourful enough to marry well with your drink in hand. 

 

The cigar was very pleasant to smoke without being complicated.  It has what it needs to blend with any drink, but definitely the espresso based drinks Frothy Monkey makes. The cigar never needed to be relit and the burn remained constant.  And priced at $3, how could you not have it with your drink? I would consider this a great breakfast smoke and would pick some up when I’m Nashville.  

By the numbers:

Prelight: 2/2

Construction: 2/2

Flavour: 4/5

Value: 1/1

Total: 9/10

The Hippie

Having grown up in the South, The Hippie was no stranger to tobacco. Although a city boy, his farming cousins were anything but, and visiting them frequently allowed him to watch the process of tobacco grow from seedling to harvest to curing in the barns. Both grandfathers enjoyed a pipe, and that opened up a new door to a more fragrant and sophisticated way to smoke. The smell was intoxicating. Then in the 90s, prominent athletes and actors really started to endorse cigar smoking. Just like pipe tobacco, the smell was unique and enjoyable, and promoted a more cultured way to enjoy tobacco. Remembering Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippen smoking cigars after winning another championship for the Chicago Bulls, or seeing actors like Jack Nicholson made cigar smoking mainstream. Friends, too, were enjoying cigars and the passion had started. Everything else is, as they say, history. He was a regular contributor to Tiki Bar Online before being a founding member of Leaf Enthusiast.

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8 Responses

  1. Swede214 says:

    WOW, a cigar that sounds good and it’s in my price wheel. I’m going on line right now. Nice review,thanks.

  2. dale427 says:

    Sadly, not available in their online store.

  3. bob langmaid says:

    I would really like to try this cigar! Sounds like it would be the fo to coffee stick!

  4. Texican says:

    Love the flavor profile, size, & price. Would def want some for a quick morning or afternoon cigar. Thanks Hippie!

  5. foozer6976 says:

    Nice review, love finding gems on the cheap, flavor profile is right up my alley!! gona seek these out!!

  6. Craig says:

    Nothing better than finding a good cheap cigar that pairs well with a cup of coffee and the size is just about right. Nice write up. thanks.

  7. Miguel Rocha says:

    I have to admit when I read the name of the cigar I would have never guessed Keller would be tied in! I am intrigued but have no idea how I would get my hands on one.

  8. MattyBlayze says:

    A $3 cigar with Kelner involved? And the name is cool. Doesn’t look like the prettiest cigar, but I should try to track some down.