Amendola Signature Series Cannoli Red – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Mid-2020, Amendola Family Cigar Co. announced that it was transitioning production of all their cigar lines from Tabacalera Kafie in Danlí, Honduras to a few different factories in Nicaragua. Those new factories include: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. factory, La Zona Cigar Factory, and both of AJ Fernandez’s factories. During this transition announcement, they also announced a new line, Signature Series, being rolled at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona that are designed to be paired with coffee or after-dinner cocktails. The first release in this series to be released was the Amendola Signature Series Cannoli Red.

The name comes from the company’s founders’ Italian-American heritage. The cigar itself comes in just one size, a 5 1/2 x 42 box-pressed corona. The blend uses a Mexican San Andrés and Nicaraguan for both the binder and filler. Each cigar has an MSRP of $9.00 and comes in boxes of 20.

Shortly after the Cannoli Red came the Cannoli Green, which uses a Sumatran wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan fillers, and the Cannoli White, which uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed wrapper. Both of these were released in May of the following year and come in the same 5 1/2 x 42 vitola and $9 MSRP as the Cannoli Red.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Corona
Length: 5 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 42
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: La Zona
Blender: Jeffrey Amendola, Chris Monaco
Number of reviewers: 4 – Kevin J. (maninblack77) Bill C.(Bill) Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi) Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
Price: $9.00
Age: 1 Year
Release Date: December 2020
Contributed by: Amendola Family Cigar Co.

Initial Impressions – Amendola Signature Series Cannoli Red

Appearance: 96

“A very firmly box-pressed cigar around a corona gorda size. A deep dark chocolate wrapper that feels rough but not visibly bumpy, well rolled a topped with a large cap.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Aroma: 96

“Tons of coffee and chocolate notes coming off of the foot and the wrapper. Can’t wait to put fire to this and see what’s in store for us!” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Once I put fire to this cigar I get blasted with coffee beans that were smoked over dried hickory wood. Once my palate gets used to the dark roasted flavor notes I find there is a root vegetable note building on the finish. It is a little dry and acrid; luckily this is very short-lived. The retrohale is completely different. There is some interesting sweetness that pushes the dry, acrid, notes from the finish. As the smoke leaves the sinuses there is a cinnamon burn that lasts for a few seconds and then fades away quickly. The mouthfeel is light to medium while the smooth velvety smoke makes the finish medium in length. ” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“There is a blast of black pepper off the light and a bit of earth. Plumes of smoke on the draw, but very little off the foot. Long finish lasting until the next draw. with some heat on my tongue and lips. White pepper joins the tasting notes. Oddly there is very little flavor difference between retrohale and a normal puff. Smoke is slightly gritty on the palate, but that’s probably a factor of the white pepper. I had to make a touch-up as there was slight tunneling. After the touch up the pepper on the palate calms down, still just as prevalent on retro. Now we are at medium strength, medium plus flavor. This is a spicy meatball.” –Bill C. (Bill)

Second Third

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

“The second third begins with some slight transitions into leather and more of a milk chocolate flavor versus the dark chocolate of the first third. The coffee notes are slightly more tame as well. I can’t believe how well this is performing. Very enjoyable second third. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“The flavor is up to full with meaty, spicy, earthy notes. It’s dry – lots of water with this one and the flavors perk up with every drink. The burn line is sloppy and the draw is ok at best. The strength picks up a bit too. Flavor package is interesting but unchanged, still fairly gritty and spicy. I’d love a hint of sweetness, not really my pace, but I definitely see how people would like this, no off or offensive flavor.” –Bill C. (Bill)

Final Third

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

“The last third is where the strength picks up a notch and I’m getting more of the dark coffee and chocolate notes as well as some black pepper and earth. The retro is smooth with notes of leather. I hated to see it end but I can’t wait for the reveal. Very well done.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“The coffee/toffee is still going strong on the palate with the addition of muddled mint leaves. The retrohale has become doughy with spearmint undertones. The smoke is smooth and the mouthfeel is medium. The finish is medium.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Overall Impressions – Amendola Signature Series Cannoli Red

Draw: 88

“The draw was easy, as is with most box pressed cigar, which created plenty of cool flavorful smoke.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Burn: 92

“One relight and some burn sloppiness in the first two thirds.” –Bill C. (Bill)

Construction: 93

“This was the best part of this cigar. The roll and bunch is perfect. The ash was strong and held on for an inch at a time.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 93

“This cigar was one of the best cigars I’ve tried in recent memory. I loved the vitola and the flavors I got, from espresso to dark chocolate to leather and some black pepper thrown in for good measure. Each one hit my palate in the sweet spot. Very anxious to see what this is so I can buy some for myself. Thanks for the opportunity!” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“All in all a dark, flavorful, spicy cigar. Not my typical pace, but I could definitely see myself smoking this again. A few little odd moments in terms of burn or construction, but nothing bad enough for me to doubt the care the cigar was made with or to make me not want to try this cigar again.” –Bill C. (Bill)

“This cigar was a little disjointed. The flavors were there but just didn’t seem like they worked well together. I will give it another chance down the road.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

” Sadly the internal construction issues with multiple tunnels made it hard to get anything from this cigar. I was hopeful with the opening flavor but the need for so many relights, how hot it burned, and the uneven internal burn left the cigar just tasting bitter and burnt. I’d absolutely want to give this cigar another shot in hopes it was a one-off unlucky stick.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 73

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Amendola Signature Series Cannoli Red – Blind Cigar Review