Vitola: Corona- 5.6” x 46 ring gauge
- ~$9.80
- Samples provided by Cubariqueño Cigar Company
Background
We are on our sixth week in a row featuring a cigar from Cubariqueño Cigar Company, most noted for their Protocol brand…and today I’m looking at the last of cigar I received from the company that has the distinctive “P” logo affixed to it: Protocol Probable Cause.
From what I gathered from several online sales sites, this “Protocol Red” edition was the second blend that was produced from the company, after the “Blue,” which makes sense because that lines up with red and blue flashing lights on police cars…law enforcement being the theme of the brand…and the former profession of the two owners of Cubariqueño. The cigars are made by the Erik Espinosa-owned La Zona factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, and feature ligero fillers from Estelí and Jalapa, a Nicaraguan Habano binder, and a Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper leaf.
Juan Cancel, co-owner of the brand, sent me samples of all the Protocol blends he had in stock a couple months back. I wanted to take a moment today to thank him again for that. This is the third time I have smoked the Protocol Probable Cause.
Prelight
As noted before, the color-coding for the Probable Cause is red. It’s a good look. Honestly the only Protocol color-code that I just didn’t care for was the neon green for Cyber Crimes Unit. The only dig I would have again it is that the secondary band with the blend name on it is so small that it’s hard to read. I know my eyes are getting weaker as I get older, but I don’t need a constant reminder of that fact…and I don’t need an eye test when I smoke a cigar.
The wrapper leaf was a milk chocolate brown color, much lighter than a lot of Mexican San Andres “Maduro” leaves I’ve seen in the past few years. It had aromas of earth and anise, with a tiny bit of cedar. On the foot, I picked up more wood and more anise aroma. The wrapper was moderately oily and had a bit of a toothy roughness under my fingertips.
The prelight draw was very good and featured sweet hay and floral notes up front, with minor notes of earth, coffee, and dark chocolate.
Flavor
Fired up, the Probable Cause had tons of earth up front, with a considerable amount of pepper spice right from the outset. Secondary notes of unsweetened cocoa powder and coffee came through moments later, and there was some dark chocolate sweetness on the finish. The retrohale was cocoa powder and red pepper flake. As the first third burned along, the blend became sweeter, exhibiting some nice chocolatey notes toward the front of each puff, mixed with a solid pepper heat for a real “sweet and spicy” blend.
The second third continued the chocolate sweetness while amping up the espresso bean and earthy notes. The pepper spice stayed solid on the palate and nose.
As I got into the final third, the Protocol Probable Cause got more earthy with increased coffee notes while the sweetness died off a bit. Pepper spice remained a steady presence throughout.
Construction
I had a great draw, even enough burn line, and solid ash.
Value
This was a very good blend at an average price, so very good value.
Conclusions
My first experience with the Protocol Red (Probable Cause) was a little harsh, but I found that leaving the remaining samples in my humidor for a few weeks really allowed them to shine. This blend offered up a fantastic blend of spicy and sweet, while still maintaining the earthier notes you expect from Nicaraguan and Mexican leaf. This was a very good blend I would enjoy smoking anytime I wanted a more full-bodied Mexican wrapped cigar.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10
