Amendola Cremoso – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

In 2020, Amendola Family Cigar Co. went through a refresh of sorts. They moved production of their cigars out of Tabacalera Kafie in Honduras and moved them to two different factories in Nicaragua. Along with this process the cigars were re-blended. Part of this refresh was the Amendola Connecticut, one of the company’s core lines, and is now known as the Amendola Cremoso. It was also announced earlier this year that Illusione would be distributing Amendola cigars.

The Amendola Cremoso comes in just one size, a 6 x 52 toro. The cigar is now rolled at Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA) in Estelí, Nicaragua. The blend uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut shade wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and fillers.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA)
Blender: Jeffrey Amendola
Number of reviewers: 5 – Alan (Eulogy) Ryan H. (Ryan H.) Mickey T. (irratebass) John A. (Bostoneo) Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Price: $9.99
Age: 5 Months
Release Date: December 2020
Contributed by: Amendola Family Cigar Co.

Initial Impressions – Amendola Cremoso

Appearance: 94

“Silky smooth wrapper that is light in color and fully packed as well. No real visible veins or seams. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Aroma: 88

“A cold draw reveals faint hay like notes along with very light baking spices. On the nose, scents of faint dry leather are present.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“Cold draw is oddly the same notes I get from the wrapper aroma, honey graham crackers, and dry hay. I light it up and prepare myself for what’s to come. The first thing I pick up is cracked black pepper paired with a touch of honey. Not something I was expecting given the wrapper, but you never can tell these days.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

“Even after a burn-in, the profile is very confusing. The draw is a little tight. White pepper on the finish is about all that is identifiable there is a sweet and salty combination of sorts upfront and mid-palate. Cedar becomes identifiable. Room note is very pleasurable.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Second Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The strength has ticked up considerably from the first third and it didn’t start out wimpy. Notes of hay, grass, sweet tobacco, with a mild anise finish, make up the core of this third. I’m finding a slight bitterness on the finish but it isn’t overpowering or distracting. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Things improve dramatically in the second third balance becomes nicer and things aren’t as jumbled up. Cedar cream and earth appear in the profile in that order the white pepper is still on the finish. The cream was the sweetness I could not identify in the first third and is a bit sweetened. The draw is still a little milkshakey but burn is phenomenal.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Final Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The last third heralds in a new profile of light wood notes alongside black pepper, cream, and grassy notes create a wonderful entrance. This wonderful profile lasts until the very end, never straying or going sour.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“The pepper hits a high note in the final third, but I’m still picking up just enough of the honey and graham crackers to balance it out. ” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Overall Impressions – Amendola Cremoso

Draw: 87

“The draw was ok, it gave me some resistance which is what I prefer. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Burn: 93

“Burn holds up straightforward but not perfect.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Construction: 94

“The wrapper on this cigar is very thin and if you don’t watch how you cut it you could be in for some trouble. The wrapper also flaked off during the smoke at times as well…..so buyer beware. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 91

“When everything was working together it was a very impressive cigar. The flavors were well done and the strength level really brought everything to life. After the wrapper literally began flaking off in large chunks while I was smoking it, it fell off the rails pretty quickly. I wouldn’t have finished smoking this if I wasn’t reviewing it because I don’t find picking bits of wrapper out of my teeth particularly relaxing. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Would have been great reviews all around had it not been for the draw. Still an Amazing cigar I would smoke again even being as light as it still tasted delicious.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“I didn’t hate it or love it….it just was. This is a cigar you could light up in the morning on a cool evening and not think about….plenty of flavors to keep you occupied like honey, hay, peanuts, some light coffee elements, and cream. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“This was one fantastic light to medium-bodied cigar. The myriad of flavors and complexity from third to third was impeccable. Changing profiles slightly from third to third, this was one of my favorite cigar reviews of 2021 as it outperformed almost every other blind review. Grab boxes of this and seek solitude to enjoy this wonderful cigar.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“When you get a cigar that offers a great balance of sweet and spice, it really brings a smile to your face. Honey graham cracker and white pepper really played off each other well. This is how this cigar went for me. I was quite pleased, and now have another example of a cigar I will definitely be interested in revisiting in the future.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 110

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Amendola Cremoso – Blind Cigar Review