Blind Cigar Review: Black Works Studio | Killer Bee

Cigar Info

The Killer Bee was one of the first three blends released by Black Works Studio. Last year, Black Label Trading Company (BLTC) announced it was launching a second brand known as Black Works Studio (BLK WKS). When the new brand was announced company founder James Brown explained that he had considered cigar making an art form and the launch of Black Works Studio gave him another expression of what he could do as a cigar maker and brand owner. Just as with the BLTC brand, the lines under Black Works Studio brand are made at BLTC’s Esteli Nicaragua factory, Fabrica Oveja Negra. Today we are reviewing Black Works Studio | Killer Bee

Like BLTC, Black Works Studio follows a small batch philosophy in terms of production. While the BLTC brand followed more of a “skull and bones theme” in terms of its packaging, the Black Works Studio brand has a much more contemporary and modern art look to it. There were three releases of Black Works Studio: Killer Bee, Rorschach, and NBK. For each of these releases, only one vitola per blend has released.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Corona
Length: 4.5″
Ring Gauge: 46
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Maduro 
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Fabrica Oveja Negra
Blender: James Brown
Number of reviewers: 4 – Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd) Matt C. (Big Matt) Eric (smalls29) Zane G. (Zane)
Price: $9.50
Age: 8 Months
Release Date: July 2016
Contributed by: Black Label Trading Company

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 93

“This is a gorgeous cigar. Nice dark wrapper with very few veins, great pack, a closed foot, and a really cool set of different color wrapper on the cap.” –Zane G. (Zane)

Aroma: 91

“Even with a closed foot, the aroma coming from the foot is bold and distinct. It is defined by rich tobacco and vanilla, with hints of coffee and cocoa. The cold draw has notes of pepper and cocoa.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

First Third

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

“Right from the first light, this cigar was bold and rich. The smoke output was enormous and filled with flavor. The profile was dominated by black pepper in the beginning, but that didn’t take long to mellow into a nice mix of espresso and heavy cream. Some spice notes were present on the retrohale.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

“First puffs start off with a blast of white pepper. With the pepper there is a bit of charred wood. In the background is some sweetness that carries through the first 1/3. Nice sweetness through the retro as well. Not much pepper on the retro. Razor sharp burn.” –Zane G. (Zane)

Second Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The middle third keeps up the big smoke output and most of the flavors from earlier. The coffee flavors are joined by toasted wood and a nice dark sugar note. The retrohale also has some of that same sweetness.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

“Exhale is in this order of precedence..dark roasted malts, creamy chocolate, oak, hazelnut, and baking spices. Flavors begin to meld together beautifully. Warm chocolate dessert mouth-feel/finish. On the retrohale we have dark floral notes and a spice laced sweetness.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Full

“As the cigar closes out, the pepper notes come back to join the coffee and sugar. Some subtle leather notes and toasted wood also join the party. The smoke just won’t give up on this one and it is still rich with flavor and texture.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

“Still good. Becoming very bold. The wood is now a charred woody flavor and the pepper taste is almost gone. I just hope it does not become so bitter that I cannot finish it. I am trying to find the chocolate flavors in there.” –Eric (smalls29)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 95

“I really enjoyed the draw on this one. The closed foot obviously made the cold draw a little tight but once it was lit it opened up with a decent amount of resistance.” –Zane G. (Zane)

Burn: 93

“As I always say, this cigar only needed the fire one time. That is the best thing to say about burn performance. Also, the burn line was clean and straight and ash was bright white and solid.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

Construction: 97

“Solid. No problems punching the cap. It also held up between the fingers.” –Eric (smalls29)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Full
Experience Overall: 91

“I would gladly smoke this cigar again, and even have a box resting in the humidor. Rich and thickly textured smoke with a range of flavors and great burn. This one was very nice.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

“Overall, this cigar is a home run. I know this was a Black Works Studio Killer Bee and I have smoked at least 20 of them since the release, however sitting back and taking notes on this cigar was a joy. Even though this vitola is a petite corona (4 1/2 x 44-46), it easily satisfies the palate and/or cigar itch. On the exhale we had a plethora of dark roasted malts, creamy chocolate, oak, hazelnut, baking spices, black pepper, and dry compact earth. Thru the nose was consistent throughout the whole cigar experience with dark floral notes and a spice laced sweetness. Store this cigar at low RH 62-64 to experience all this cigar has to offer. Kudos to James and torcedors at Fabrica Oveja Negra.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)

“This one definitely had personality. The immediate peppery flavor and tingle was a nice start. The jalapeno was delicious. I just wish it had stayed around longer. The woody flavors and chocolate ere nicely balanced in the beginning but soon it overpowered the chocolate and peppers. Still, the changes were a nice dynamic that gave it a good personality. I would have rated it as “great” if the draw were better. That was the only drawback to this one.” –Eric (smalls29)

“This cigar was a little stronger than I typically enjoy but I had no issues smoking through it. Some great rich notes throughout that remained consistent. This cigar would be great for dessert after a nice big meal.” –Zane G. (Zane)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 72

 

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Matthew T.	92	92	90	90	90	95	92	97	95
Matt C.	92	90	92	92	90	95	90	95	92
Eric	90	90	88	88	88	85	92	90	88
Zane G.	92	92	92	90	88	95	95	97	90

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Company | Killer Bee