Blind Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Company | Bishop's Blend Corona Larga
Blind Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Company | Bishop's Blend Corona Larga

Blind Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Company | Bishop’s Blend Corona Larga

Blind Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Company | Bishop's Blend Corona Larga Cigar Info

Back in June of 2016, announced the release of to be made at in Esteli. It officially debut at that year’s Trade Show.  is available in limited quantities at select BLTC retailers and always sells out very quickly. It comes in only two vitolas: Robusto – 5 x 48 (20 count) MSRP $9.50 – 6.25 x 46 (20 count) MSRP $10.00. This cigar is unique in that it uses Pennsylvania and Broadleaf in the filler. The end result is a very rich and intense flavor profile that highlights the Broadleaf but doesn’t overpower the Nicaraguan tobaccos. The has a great balance between richness, spice and strength.

This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.

Last April, announced they were shipping vintage 2017 to select retailers that week. “It’s great to get back in the market. This is a very special cigar. It is a representation of how I have grown as a cigar maker. I’m happy that the time and dedication that went into creating this blend has translated to our customers and made it one of our most sought after cigars. The 2017 has an extremely rich and sophisticated profile. It is a bold cigar with exceptional balance and complexity. Subtle spice is combined with earth, bitter sweet chocolate and anise. The smoke is creamy and dense with a long rich finish,” said , creator of BLTC and partner at .

Blind Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Company | Bishop's Blend Corona Larga Vital Stats:

Vitola:
Length: 6.25″
Ring Gauge: 46
Country of Origin:
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: , & PA Broadleaf
Factory: Facriba Oveja Negra
Blender:
Number of reviewers: 4 () (The Nothing) (smalls29) (Jokey Smurf)
Price: $10.50
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: April 2017
Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff

Blind Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Company | Bishop's Blend Corona Larga Initial Impressions

Appearance: 93

“This is an interesting looking cigar. The wrapper is not only a very dark brown, almost black, it also wraps around the foot. The cap is more of a cone instead of a torpedo shape.” – (smalls29)

Aroma: 94

“Smells great, like raisin-y leather. Can’t wait to fire up.” – ()

Blind Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Company | Bishop's Blend Corona Larga
Blind Cigar Review: |

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“This cigar has a ton of flavor and its quite clear from the very beginning that there will be good things to come. A savory leather is the mainstay flavor and is almost always present. It is accompanied by citrus notes on some puffs, or there might be a creamy sweetness texture change, or a bit of woody notes, or even some white pepper. As mentioned, the leather is pretty much always present, and the play of other flavors is quite nice.” – (The Nothing)

“The first puffs of this cigar were interesting. The initial flavor blasts were strong and smothered my palate with tangy leather notes. There was a faint citrus note as the leather faded that was a surprise. Through the nose the smoke is heavy in pepper and the retrohale develops a significant charcoal flavor.” – (Jokey Smurf)

Blind Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Company | Bishop's Blend Corona Larga
Blind Cigar Review: |

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Construction issues are becoming more pronounced. Lopsided burn threatened to begin canoeing. Quick touch up with a lighter seems to have corrected the issue. A hole in the wrapper and now burn issues. Oh, the humanity! On a positive note, the flavor is still really solid. Continued core flavors of well rounded oaky wood, pepper, and softening leather notes. What began as a brand new leather jacket is mellowing into an old worn saddle. Nicely done. As the final third wraps up, the burn issues seem to be almost fully correct. It’s off a bit and may take a little more lighter work, but within reasonable expectations. ” – ()

“The second, like the first, has a leathery profile. There was a creamy, white-pepper building that reminded me a lot of a chowder. The retrohale had a blend of white pepper and cedar which were quite strong and possibly too much for many people.” – (The Nothing)

Blind Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Company | Bishop's Blend Corona Larga
Blind Cigar Review: |

Final Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Definitely building in potency at the start of the last third. Some of the softer leather notes are dropping away and the pepper and earthy flavors are coming into the forefront. Toward the end there are also some notes of maple and cherry, or something fruitier than the previous citrusy flavors anyway. Well worth hanging around for. This is a nubber. ” – ()

“A nice blend of flavors that have remained consitent are a plus to me. The pepepry flavors did mellow a bit but remained at the forefront. The grass and bbq flavors remainined in the background providing a nice experience.” – (smalls29)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 91

“No complaints, good draw with slight resistance.” – ()

Burn: 93

“This cigar burned well and had a very satisfying smoke output. It looked good, it tasted good and was very enjoyable.” – (The Nothing)

Construction: 90

“The initial right draw impacted my rating a bit here… Otherwise the construction was spot on… Nice looks, strong ash, and a good blend…I like it” – (Jokey Smurf)

Blind Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Company | Bishop's Blend Corona Larga Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 95

“Great smoke. The primary flavor profile pretty well nails what I look for in a cigar personally. Mostly minor construction and burn issues detracted somewhat from the experience, but the flavor and subtleties more than made up for that. I would happily smoke many, many more of these.” – ()

“This cigar was, well, outstanding to me. This is something I could enjoy at any time and could even be something that I’d smoke very regularly. The flavors caught my attention at the beginning and the constant evolution kept me coming back for more. It was a surprisingly long smoking cigar with made it that much better.” – (The Nothing)

“Even though the cigar started out a bit mellow, the increase in strength made for a nice, complex smoke. The peppers took aver about the beginning of the second third. It started off with nice flavors of grass and bbq which moved to the background in the second third. Even though the peppery flavors were predominant, it did not overshadow the other background flavors. A nice distribution of flavors and a cigar I would love to have in the humidor.” – (smalls29)

Blind Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Company | Bishop's Blend Corona Larga
Blind Cigar Review: |

“This was a flavorful fuller bodied smoke that packed a significant nicotine punch. The flavors are interesting and strong enough for the experienced cigar smoker. I would hesitate to recommend this to a new smoker, simply due to the strength. As a smoker who prefers to retrohale every couple of puffs, this one needed discretion as the pepper was significant and sometimes enough to make my eyes water. All of this being said, I enjoy a strong cigar and this fit the bill. I have a suspicion regarding what this cigar is…I can’t wait for the reveal!” – (Jokey Smurf)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 88

Reviewer
Appearance
Aroma
1/3
2/3
3/3
Draw
Burn
Constr.
Overall
Experience
92 95 95 92 92 92 88 88 95
92 93 93 92 92 92 95 92 95
90 90 88 90 90 90 90 90 90
92 95 93 90 90 90 97 90 95
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To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

 

Blind Cigar Review: |

Overall Score – 93 – Great

Blind Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Company | Bishop’s Blend Corona Larga
Summary
"This cigar was, well, outstanding to me. This is something I could enjoy at any time and could even be something that I'd smoke very regularly. The flavors caught my attention at the beginning and the constant evolution kept me coming back for more. It was a surprisingly long smoking cigar with made it that much better." -Isaac M. (The Nothing)
  Appearance
93
Aroma
94
First Third
93
Second Third
91
Final Third
91
  Draw
91
Burn
93
Construction
90
Overall Experience
95
93
Overall Score - Great