Black Star Line War Witch Corona – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Black Star Line Cigars was started by Adetola “Aric” Wimberly-Bey, a former Chicago Firefighter. With the help of his friend Derrick Bell, he was able to complete is lifelong dream of starting a cigar company. He was even advised in the business by none other than Jonathan Drew. From there, he met Sandy Cobas at El Titan De Bronze where their first line was made.

The Black Star Line War Witch is a Nicaraguan puro that comes in three sizes: 6 x 46 Corona, 5 x 50 Robusto, and 7 x 38 Lancero. It is rolled at Aganorsa Leaf’s factory, Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A (TABSA). Each cigar has an MSRP of $11.99.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 46
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A (TABSA)
Blender: Aric Bey
Number of reviewers: 5 – Alan (Eulogy) Ryan H. (Ryan H.) John A. (Bostoneo) Doug S. (Unpossible_1) Mickey T. (irratebass)
Price: $11.99
Age: 7 Months
Release Date: March 2020
Contributed by: Black Star Line Cigars

Initial Impressions – Black Star Line War Witch Corona

Appearance: 93

“Has a honey mustard-colored wrapper on this box-pressed stick. Very smooth to the touch, plenty of visible seams, but not seeing any veins. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Aroma: 90

“aroma isn’t crazy loud. but there are plenty of notes that can be identified. vegetal smells honey and hay with some warehouse.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

First Third

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

“Cold draw gives me salt, peanuts, manure, and some cinnamon. Starting out very smooth. Plenty of smoke output. I am getting a sweetness that I can’t put my finger on yet, especially on the retro. This is starting out really nice. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Things kick off with a sweetness much like that of breakfast cereal. I’m thinking Honey Nut Cheerios here, so not overly sweet, just a good balance. I’m also noticing copious amounts of smoke coming from this cigar, which I’m not used to when smoking lighter wrapper cigars like this.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Second Third

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

“Moving into the second third, the same sweet, stewed fruits and black pepper sticks around. Hints of cream and nuts begin to appear as this cigar transitions into a different profile that lasts throughout the remainder of this third.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“The sweetness continues, and still continues to perplex me. I am getting like an old-school type of flavor/aroma. Like the cigars, my grandpa used to smoke……I can’t remember the name of them, but this was back in the late 70’s early 80’s time frame. He would lay on the couch with the box of cigars behind his head and smoke one right after the other while watching his sports. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Final Third

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

“Cigar is nothing if not consistent. Really not much change going into the end of the cigar, as the honey oats and nuts continue to be the dominant trend here. Pepper continues to build up though, so there is that. ” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

“Lovely notes of semi-sweetened leather, cashew, and cream start out this last third. Delivering just that, the profile remains consistent through the very end, providing luscious amounts of great flavor at a slow pace that is easy to keep up with.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Overall Impressions – Black Star Line War Witch Corona

Draw: 86

“Pretty tight at the beginning but it did open up just a touch around the middle. Still a little too tight for me personally. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

Burn: 91

“It was burning very well till the wrapper started to crack. I never needed to do any touch-ups or relights though. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

Construction: 90

“Cigar construction looked really good. The bunch wasn’t overfilled or underfilled. The wrapper looked really good and the caps applied well” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Light-Medium
Experience Overall: 92

“The flavors were very good and it elevated the overall experience. It certainly has shortfalls, at least in my review sample, and the construction holds it back. If you like bold flavors and a strong red pepper finish this might be for you.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“The cigar was really good, I enjoyed the second third the most.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“Overall, this was a wonderful slow-paced smoke with plenty of lighter-bodied sweet flavors with ample amounts of flavor to keep you enticed yet not overwhelmed. Sweet, stewed fruits, cashew, cream, and black pepper were the main players in the flavor department through the entirety of this cigar in one way or another at some point and did not disappoint. Looking for a relaxing smoke? Give this one a try… I doubt it will disappoint.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“For a straight-forward cigar, I really did enjoy the profile I got from this. The combination of honey sweetness with oats and nuts really plays well with each other. Add in the pepper halfway through, and you have a solid smoke. I also found it interesting how much smoke output this lighter cigar produced. I’d smoke it again for sure.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

“Overall this was a boring cigar. It started out great with plenty of sweetness mixed with some cinnamon and nutty flavors, but these flavors stayed consistent throughout. I would have enjoyed this more if there was more of a variety in the flavor department, but sadly this did not happen. If you’re looking for a cigar that you don’t have to pay attention to or concentrate on then this is a great cigar for you. I would guess this would pair nicely with your morning cup of coffee, but this just wasn’t for me.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 84

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Black Star Line War Witch Corona – Blind Cigar Review