Vitola: Robusto- 5.25” x 52 ring gauge
- $11.99
- Purchased at Burns Tobacconist
Background
For the first time I believe in the history of the Tobacconist Association of America (TAA), the annual gathering had to be canceled. Of course, by now that is old news since COVID-19 concerns are having the result of canceling all manner of conventions, graduations, concerts, sporting events, and life in general in some areas. Despite the lack of gathering, though, the organization did have a “virtual meeting” and announced a slate of member-exclusive releases for 2020. The first I had a chance to get my hands on was this year’s TAA release from My Father Cigars.
My Father has a history of producing TAA-exclusive sizes of regular release blends, rather than putting out brand new blends for the organization’s members. This year the blend to get a special size is The Judge, which debuted in late 2016. As with almost all releases from the My Father factory, The Judge uses Nicaraguan tobaccos for filler and binder (with no more specifics given about them that the country of origin). This blend features an Ecuadorian Sumatra Oscuro wrapper leaf. It is available in 4 other sizes to all other My Father accounts. I believe all of those other sizes are box-pressed, as well, making this the first in The Judge line to be round.
I purchased a couple samples of Burns Tobacconist, which is a TAA-member store in Chattanooga, TN. This review is based on the second one I smoked.
Prelight
The Judge TAA release features pretty much the same packaging as the regular releases. Same standard My Father primary band, same “MF The Judge” secondary band, same style box…the difference is the foot ribbon, which is a light gold color with “TAA” in brown type on it. Everything looks elegant and classy, just like the regular release.
The wrapper leaf was milk chocolate brown in color with an oily feel and an aroma that mixed cocoa powder with earth and leather. The foot of the cigar was more richly earthy and barnyard with some sweetness in the mix, as well.
After clipping the head, the cold draw was excellent and tasted of dark fruit and cedar.
Flavor
At least one person I talked to about this cigar thought that My Father had changed the blend slightly, finding the blend to be a bit milder and lighter at the outset. I found that there was definitely a difference in the experience at the outset, but I would put it down to the difference between box-press and round. On the The Judge TAA had floral and earthy notes up front, with some cedar and slight sweetness coming in behind. There was a black pepper heat on the finish and a strong cedar note on the retrohale.
Getting through the second third, I picked up more floral and earthy notes, with a hint of mineral twang from the Sumatra wrapper and a steady amount of pepper spice.
The final third featured more mineral notes, along with earth and a slight sweetness. There was still some residual pepper spice in the background, too.
Construction
I had a great draw, even burn line that needed just a couple touch-ups, and a solid ash.
Value
The Judge is a “premium-priced” cigar, just at the top of the “average” price range in general. This one falls right in that range and is a good value as such.
Conclusions
The TAA version of The Judge by My Father Cigars did indeed smoke a little milder than the regular versions do. I would judge it as a medium or medium-plus in body and strength, which would potentially make it more accessible for someone who wants to try the blend but doesn’t care for more medium-full or full-bodied sticks. Personally, I really enjoyed this version, probably more than the regular. Definitely an interesting twist on the theme.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4 /5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
