Vitola: Toro
Size: 6″ x 54 ring gauge
Price $16.99
Obtained From SmallBatchCigar.com as a review sample
Background
It seems like for the past couple years Viaje has released a jar coinciding with the IPCPR show. This year’s release was that latest from their Skull & Bones line. This latest release is comprised of fillers from the US, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic, a Dominican binder, and a Mexican San Andrés wrapper. They come packed 19 to a jar, and that jar can be used as a humidor. There was only 500 white and 500 black jars released, along with a few of the black and gold jars thrown in. This was the second one of these I was able to try.
Prelight
The wrapper on this sample was a slightly greyish dark brown with some tooth and very little oils. You definitely know what the blend of the cigar is based on the top band, since it is the same as a lot of the previous ones. However you don’t know the exact release from the bottom band, a minor complaint. When I gave it a squeeze there was a very slight amount of give without any soft spots. I did notice that this cigar seemed very well constructed as the seam line of the wrapper was very even and the triple cap was nicely applied. When I put my nose to the wrapper I got the aroma of leather, with barnyard coming from the foot. After clipping it and taking a cold draw I got notes of cinnamon and leather.
Flavor
It starts off with the blast of spice I’m familiar with the Skull & Bones releases. After a few puffs I started to get notes of chocolate and wood from the cigar. A few puffs later the flavors of cinnamon and leather were added to it. By the end of this third the spice had mellowed out a bit but it was still medium full strength to start. As it moved into the second third the flavors changed slightly to cola, cocoa, leather and earth. The spice had almost gone away. It was still medium full. Once I got into the final third the spice started to come back and the strength started to build. The flavors I got in this third were chocolate, leather and earth. By the end I was getting a slight nicotine hit from it as it moved into the bottom end of full strength.
Construction
The draw needed a little help from by MTX bleeder tool at the beginning and the burn was a little ragged and uneven. However it wasn’t bad considering the problems I’ve had with previous releases of this blend.
Value
It seems like the jar releases are fairly high priced, maybe it is to pay for the humidor jar. To me it was overpriced for what it was from an enjoyment standpoint.
Conclusions
I had two very different experiences with the two cigars I smoked. I definitely enjoyed the first one of these a lot more than the one I did for review. I don’t know the explanation for it, but I would have bought 1 or 2 of the first cigar to lay down to age, but wouldn’t buy any of the one I smoked for review. That is another thing I’ll note I’ve noticed that the previous releases of the Skull & Bones have benefited greatly with 6 months or more aging on them. I doubt I’ll be picking more of these up, but as always you need to make your own decision on these.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 1.5/2
Flavor: 3.5/5
Value: .5/1
Total: 7.5/10
Haven’t had a Viaje yet, but that seems like a hefty price, and doesn’t sound like it delivers.
This is exactly what i mean when i say; “A Ring can make you buy a cigar regardless”. This is a brand of cigars i’ve been willing to try since a while back, however haven’t come accross the oportunity. Mix of cocoa, chocolate and wood sound enojyable enough.
I’m glad you are honest about Viaje, I see so many people stroking that company for the last couple of years and I’m over here going… ehh over priced bland sticks. Their sticks maybe for some people but they are not for me. Nice job.. 7.5…. damn!!!
I agree Vijae has a decent cigar, but not for the price point. Far better sticks that I can buy for what I would pay for Viaje.
Sounds interesting but that price kills it.
I hope to open these up at some point in the near future, but I’m hoping I don’t have the same experience you had with the 2nd one.
I definitely did not have the same experience as you had with the 2nd one. I loved the one I smoked. The best new release I’ve smoked this year. I’m not just saying this, and I’m very outspoken when I have a bad experience, probably even more so with Viaje, as it seems too happen to much. But these are so well worth the 17 bux, and that’s something I rarely find myself saying for many of the cigars I’ve spent 15+ on.