Vitola: Toro- 6” x 50 ring gauge
- ~$10
- Samples provided by Cubariqueño Cigar Company
Background
Originally introduced in 2018, Protocol’s Official Misconduct was the 4th release in the line after the Blue, Red, and Gold banded versions came out. Official Misconduct is another law enforcement-themed blend name and uses a Silver color scheme this time around.
The blend for this one will be familiar to those who read my review of the Blue a couple weeks back in that this uses Nicaraguan filler and binder with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. Because of the lack of details, though, that doesn’t even begin to tell the whole story, as this blend is apparently meant to be a “dialed down” and more refined and nuanced version of the original Protocol release.
As with the other releases, they are blended by a collaborative effort between Protocol brand co-owner, Juan Cancel, and La Zona head honcho, Eric Espinoza. Cubariqueño Cigar Company sent me samples for this review and this is the third time I’ve smoked this blend.
Prelight
The silver and black band is another good color combo. The main and secondary band look good and let the buyer know…same line, different blend…at a glance.
The wrapper leaf was a medium brown color about halfway between what I refer to as “peanut butter” and “milk chocolate” shades. It had a slight redness to it, as well, that made me think of cinnamon sticks, but not quite as red as that. The wrapper had a nice oiliness and an aroma of earth and wood. The foot of the cigar was a rich earthy note with a little sweetened cocoa in the mix.
Once I clipped the head the test draw was very good, with the possibility of being just a little too loose…which I’ll take over too tight any day. I got strong cedar notes on the cold draw, along with a touch of pepper and a bit of sweet caramel.
Flavor
I set the Official Misconduct Silver on fire and immediately got those same strong cedar flavors up front. Just behind that were notes of earth and hay and white pepper, while the sweetness was more on the finish. On the nose, I got more cedar and some roasted nuttiness, with a pepper blast at the finish. True to expectations, it was medium-bodied from the outset. As the first third continued to burn, the cedar note morphed into a little more of an acidic citrus note, while the sweetness bumped up just a bit to blend with it really nicely.
Getting into the second third, I got more citrus while the peppery note morphed into more of a cinnamon burn. There was still a little semisweet chocolate in the mix while earth and cedar notes faded more into the background.
The last third of the Protocol Official Misconduct had a resurgence of cedar and pepper spice, while the citrus and cinnamon diminished in equal measure. It bumped up to medium-to-full in body in the process.
Construction
I had a great draw, very even burn line, and solid ash the whole way.
Value
Excellent cigar for an average price tag, so very good value.
Conclusions
The Protocol Silver, also known as Official Misconduct, is my favorite of the Protocol releases, at least so far. It was rich and complex with more subtlety than some of the other entries in the catalog with a medium-plus-bodied goodness that lasted from ignition to nub. So far I can definitely recommend this whole line to anyone that enjoys Nicaraguan tobacco, but this blend I highly recommend for those who want a Nicaraguan blend that doesn’t knock you out with strength or spice.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10
