Blind Cigar Review: Cubariqueño | Protocol Probable Cause Churchill

Cigar Info

This latest blend from Cubariqueño uses a Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler, and comes in a Robusto (5 x 52, $9.69) and a semi-box pressed Churchill (6 1/2 x 48, $9.89). Both sizes have closed feet and come in 10-count boxes. “We are classifying Probable Cause as a medium-strength cigar with full flavor,” said Juan Cancel, one of the company’s owners, in a press release.

In addition, Probable Cause will be getting a new color scheme using red, black and a metallic silver, as well as a secondary band, to help distinguish it. The name of the company, Cubariqueño pays homage to Ives’ Cuban heritage and Cancel’s Puerto Rican heritage. And the name of the line, Protocol, comes from law enforcement, where the duo serve as police offices in New York City. To produce their cigar, Cancel and Ives went as with their first release, to Erik Espinosa’s La Zona factory.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Churchill
Length: 6.5″
Ring Gauge: 48
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: La Zona
Blender: Juan Cancel, Bill Ives, Erik Espinosa
Number of reviewers: 5 – Kent (Throck) John I. (John I.) Mickey T. (irratebass) Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd) Adam B. (Bushboy)
Price: $9.89
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: July 2016
Contributed by: Cubariqueño Cigar Company

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 89

“Consistent, dark brown color, with evident tooth. Some prominent veins, and slightly ragged edges to the wrapper. Almost looks as if it may have been very softly pressed. Nicely rounded head with a well applied cap. Feels a little lighter than it should, but there’s no softness.” –John I. (John I.)

Aroma: 88

“Barnyard and dried fall leaf. Foot and dry inhale produces a sweeter earthy flavor. Very loose draw pre light.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

Blind Cigar Review: Cubariqueño | Protocol Probable Cause Churchill

First Third

Flavor: 87
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Straight cut and lit at 4:31 pm. Took significantly more toasting to establish an ember than cigars of comparable ring gauge. There are some floral notes initially as well as some spice apparent. Allspice/Clove neighborhood, with some creaminess as well. Twenty minutes in I’ve tapped the ash which held nicely, and the flavor has leveled out to being fairly mild, slightly sweet with slight hints of anisette and citrus.” –John I. (John I.)

“This is a strong cigar with strong leather and cinnamon notes, which left an oily slickness to my tongue, with a marshmellowy flavor on the finish. 30 mins in and the strength has taken it down a notch to just a medium-strong.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Second Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“This has simmered down quite a bit now, I am now getting a more cocoa or milk chocolate element along with earthy tones. Some cream has decided to show up, and I’m a bit thankful. The cream adds a nice balance to the strength of this cigar, and maybe that is why it seems to have settled down a bit strength-wise.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“A major touch up light brings a little bit of a harsh note to the flavors in the middle third. I am still getting the earthy flavors and the notes of cocoa, but a twinge of sour comes in that doesn’t fit. A minor tunnel in the burn appears but fortunately doesn’t last long. The retrohale is bold and strong hits of pepper.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

Final Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The complexity picked up once more, but in an unexpected way: notes of sweetness. I was not expecting anything much more than tobacco flavors, but the tobacco became sweeter almost with a tea-like flavor.” –Kent (Throck)

“Final third was the best third. Flavors never wowed, however stayed enjoyable throughout. Nutty, woody and comforting with no wow factor. I enjoyed this from beginning to end, but would have appreciated a transition of flavors from a stick of this size. Nothing negative to say, just didn’t wow me.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 92

“Never an issue with the draw. It had good resistance and lots of smoke output.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

Burn: 87

“The burn was great and held perfectly throughout my smoke. At certain times, the cigar got a little too hot in the final third.” –Kent (Throck)

Construction: 89

“Overall this cigar performed well throughout the smoke. It seemed like it may have been lightly packed due to initial feel, but aside from burning a little warm in some points, no significant issues with construction.” –John I. (John I.)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 89

“This cigar was a bit of a mixed bag. I was not too impressed by the appearance but the flavors offered some nice notes during my smoke. I’d be willing to try this cigar again after allowing some time to season in my humidor.” –Kent (Throck)

“I’m hovering between a good and very good rating for this smoke. Settling on good as the overall flavor profile is a little light and flowery for my personal taste, but for someone that is new to cigars prefers a smoke like that over a big peppery, oaky experience, this would fit the bill nicely.” –John I. (John I.)

“Started out very strong, with heavy earthy tones, and then mellowed with some cream, finally some sweetness in the final third.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“From an overall standpoint, I would call this a good cigar. I don’t see it winning any grand champion trophies but it was good. The flavors were not complex or transitional, but they were consistent and enjoyable. I would try this one again in the hope that the burn issues I experienced were just an anomaly.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

“I went in to this smoke with illusions of grandeur. Padron shape. From receiving in the mail, to sampling (3 weeks), I thought this would be the jewel of the haul, so to speak. In hindsight, I should not have hyped this cigar the way I did. Not disappointed, just short of expectation. Possibly a little more rest and this stick would have wowed me a touch more.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 79

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Kent	90	87	95	90	92	95	90	92	90
John I.	90	90	87	87	90	88	87	90	88
Mickey T.	88	87	87	90	90	83	83	83	90
Matthew T.	88	85	87	85	88	90	83	85	88
Adam B.	90	92	85	85	90	95	92	90	88

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.