In 2016 Battleground Cigars announced the limited release of their new Darby cigar, a collaboration with former members of the 75th Ranger Regiment.
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.
The Battleground uses Maduro Honduran wrapper infused for 90 days using Leadslingers Whiskey, a company owned and operated by Veterans of the 75th Ranger Regiment. This is the only Army Ranger cigar on the market.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro
Binder: Honduran Criollo
Filler: Honduran Corojo
Factory: Undisclosed
Blender: N/A
Number of reviewers: 4 – Ryan H. (Ryan H.) Dave W. (mdwest) Eric (smalls29) Matthew T.(A Huge Nerd)
Price: $19.95
Age: 1 year 4 Months
Release Date: July 2016
Contributed by: Battleground Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 88
“A nice dark wrapper envolpes this Toro. The wrapper looks solid and well sealed.” –Eric (smalls29)
Aroma: 90
“The wrapper is quite musty but the foot has a floral note with sweet tobacco” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“The first third flavor profile is dominated by dark roasted coffee notes and a bit of a char type taste on the finish. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
“The beginning has some nice cocoa and espresso flavors. This one has lots of smoke output, and the flavors also give me some mild spice notes on the finish. I do get some of that anise from the cold draw on the retrohale as the beginning third closes out. ” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Second Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Room note isnt very plesent, very musty. A good transtion to dried fruit. Nearing the end of the second third the cigar reverts to strong earthy profile” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“The middle third comes with some flavor additions. It almost reminds me of a creamy stout beer. A bitter finish, but up front it is rich with coffee and chocolate. Somewhat of a zing like the foam from a glass of milk stout. ” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
“This cigar is possibly the most earthy cigar i have smoked. Its like a mud pie. I can pick up coffee and earth with some short appearances of a very minute amount of sweetness.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“The dominant flavor remains dark roasted coffee, and the char taste that was present on the finish in the first third comes back in the final third.” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 92
“The draw was extremely open. Maybe too open, but the smoke output was very good. I think it may have caused the cigar to burn a bit too fast. ” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Burn: 86
“A smooth burn but the ash fell away early.” –Eric (smalls29)
Construction: 88
“Aside from maybe being too loose on the pack, it was a well built cigar that looked nice and stayed lit. A few touch up lights aside, the construction kept this one on the right track. ” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
“This was a very nice cigar, i enjoyed it very much” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Overall a pleasant smoke. that I think would probably pair well with a nice oaky red wine. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
“Very nice. This has been a very good experience. No bitterness at the end. no sour after taste. A nice balance of flavors. There was a primary leathery flavor with a sweet cinnamon after taste. There was a light tingle on the lips at the end. It was a change to be able to enjoy such a balanced cigar all the way through to the end. The after taste was my highlight. A smooth taste that does not linger like bad breathe. This would be anice addition to the humidor and would pair well with a spiced rum.” –Eric (smalls29)
“I greatly enjoyed the unique combinations in this cigar. It’s not often that the coffee and cocoa flavors combine with notes of anise. It was interesting and enjoyable. Even the wonky burn did not really detract from the overall enjoyment of the flavors. It is a cigar that is bold, rich, and unique. I would certainly reach for it at my local shop. ” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
"Very nice. This has been a very good experience. No bitterness at the end. no sour after taste. A nice balance of flavors. There was a primary leathery flavor with a sweet cinnamon after taste. There was a light tingle on the lips at the end. It was a change to be able to enjoy such a balanced cigar all the way through to the end. The after taste was my highlight. A smooth taste that does not linger like bad breathe. This would be anice addition to the humidor and would pair well with a spiced rum." -Eric (smalls29)
