Vitola: Toro- 6” x 52 ring gauge
- ~$10
- Samples provided by Cubariqueño Cigar Company
Background
You’ve seen the statue…or desk-sized figure maybe…of “Lady Justice,” a goddess type blindfolded and holding scales in her hand, symbolizing that the weights of a person’s wrongdoings will be measured without the prejudice that can come with seeing the accused or taking any part of that person which does not pertain to the case at hand into the decision. One of the several originators of “Lady Justice” was the Greek goddess of law, fairness, and divine order: Themis.
Protocol Cigars keeps with their theme of law and order-inspired blend names with today’s featured cigar: the Protocol Themis, also known as Protocol Gold (all their blends have names and also “color codes,” so it’s easy to call them by either). This blend uses Nicaraguan filler and binder leaves, along with an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper leaf. They are made at La Zona in Estelí, Nicaragua.
I have smoked two of this blend before today’s review sample. All of them were provided by Protocol Cigars/Cubariqueño Cigar Company. It’s also a good time to say “Thank You!” to Juan Cancel (one of the company’s owners) for providing these samples for me to review).
Prelight
With this being my second review of a “Protocol” cigar, it’s time to let out the little-known secret: pretty much all the bands are the same except color. OK, so not a secret. I do like the design of the “P” as it does stand out from the crowd, although I’m wondering if there is something more to the logo design than just a highly stylized ‘P.” Someone let me know if they are aware of something more. I like the logo in black and gold foil, though…it’s a good look against the golden Connecticut Shade wrapper leaf.
Speaking of the wrapper leaf, it was a nice even coloration and free from any defect I could see. It’s one of those times I look at the Shade leaf on a $10 cigar and realize that it would be equally at home on a $25 Davidoff White Label, at least in terms of appearance. It had a smooth, light oiliness under my fingertips and an aroma of hay and earth. The foot had more earth, along with a rich cedar note and a light sweetness.
After clipping, the cold draw was excellent. I got flavors of hay and wood, along with a touch of citrus.
Flavor
At the outset, the Protocol Themis had pronounced sweet hay, loads of cedar, and a nice white pepper burn. I also got notes of earth and baking spice as secondary flavors and a toasted nuttiness with more pepper on the retrohale. The first third was dominated by the savory notes of cedar and pepper and earth, with just touches of sweetness along the way in the way of hay and some citrus.
As I got into the second third, there was more citrus with a zing as well as sweetness. The cedar started coming on stronger, as well, and was almost too much for my palate.
The wood notes continued to hold sway over the last third while the sweeter notes died out almost completely. There was a little pepper burn the whole way.
Construction
I had a solid ash, even burn line, and very good draw the entire way.
Value
Good cigar for a good “average” price tag, so good value.
Conclusions
The Protocol Themis is good cigar that falls into the “modern Connecticut” paradigm of a more mild-to-medium smoking experience. For me there was just too much cedar influence and I started to lose interest in the second third before the last third just lost me completely. If you like more woody flavors, though, it might be right up your alley.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 3.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 8.5/10
