The Black Works Studio S&R had its official release in February of 2018. S & R stands for Serpents and Rainbows, coming from the book and film“The Serpent and the Rainbow”.
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 blend marks the first time one of James Brown’s blends has used a Sumatra wrapper as well as the first time he used Dominican tobacco. This is the first blend that is meant to be medium in body and strength. Like all other Black Works Studio and Black Label Trading Company cigars, this is rolled at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua. It comes in two vitolas: Lancero: 6 3/4 x 42, and Corona Gorda: 5 1/2 x 46 both in 20 count boxes.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Corona Gorda Length: 5 1/2″ Ring Gauge: 46 Country of Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Sumatra Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua and Dominican Republic Factory: Fabrica Oveja Negra Blender: James Brown Number of reviewers: 4 – John A.(Bostoneo) Ryan H.(Ryan H.) Mickey T.(irratebass) John I. (John I.) Price: $9.50 Age: 6 Months Release Date: February 2018 Contributed by: Black Works Studio
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 92
“5 1/2x 40 has an interesting pigtail/man bun at the head of the cigar. Cigar bunch is firm seams look good very small veins through out.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Aroma: 90
“The cold draw reveals notes of must and fruitiness while the wrapper and foot give off aromas of damp leather. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
First Third
Blind Cigar Review: Black Works Studio | S&R Corona Gorda
Flavor: 93 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“Bright grassy notes and caramel kick things off post light. A good dose of black pepper is introduced into the profile one inch in with a bit of leather… and that’s all folks. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“A very charismatic cigar from the start. It is very complex and rich. Cream honey and tea are flavors that can first be picked out with a handful of other flavors being covered up. It also has a smokey wood flavor on the finish some hay but very little coming through. A minute bitterness. The first third starts out medium but lightens up through out the first third.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Second Third
Flavor: 90 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
Blind Cigar Review: Black Works Studio | S&R Corona Gorda
“Still plenty of cream, but now tasting roasted peanuts and marshmallow with a hint of light cedar on the finish…..draw has tightened up again.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Begins with more sweetness and cream but brighter and sharper. It’s a nice transition, kind of building toward something. By the mid point a lot of the background flavor notes fade out, and there is a less sweet, but still very burnt caramel impression. Still very nice, but I was enjoying all of the additional stuff that lingered on the palate. Becoming a bit monochromatic. ” –John I. (John I.)
Final Third
Flavor: 88 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“The last third darkens up with the honey transitioning to burnt sugar and the tea revisits. Very good cigar” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Sweetness and background spice is pretty much completely gone at this point. Still some nice bready flavors. ” –John I. (John I.)
Overall Impressions
Blind Cigar Review: Black Works Studio | S&R Corona Gorda
Draw: 88
“A bit snug. Probably would have enjoyed it a bit more if the draw had been a bit more open. ” –John I. (John I.)
Burn: 82
“While I enjoyed the flavors the cigar was presenting I have to say the burn did not perform well at all.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Construction: 87
“Aside from the draw, this was very well constructed. As noted earlier the wrapper had suffered some dings, and became rather ragged, but never unraveled. ” –John I. (John I.)
Overall Strength: Medium Overall Body/Complexity: Medium Experience Overall: 90
“Overall this was a good flavor profiled cigar, yet limited on its offerings. Unfortunately, my sample wasn’t the best looking or burning one, so this have played a small part. What flavors it did have pretty much spanned the entirety of the cigar without much, if any, changes. I’d try it again, but I have a feeling the experience with flavor would remain unchanged. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“A great cigar that I loved from beginning to end and I can say it’s well worth a box” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Despite all the negatives I really enjoyed this cigar. There was lots of wood, cream, salt, nuts, marshmallow and even some sourdough. Unfortunately it was a chore to smoke with the tight draw and construction issues. I would like to smoke another. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Good smoke. I definitely enjoyed the earlier phases more than the finish. The early sweet and creamy profile was really nice, and the spices dancing around the background were a lot of fun. Worked really well for a lazy late Sunday smoke with my fifth or sixth cup of coffee. ” –John I. (John I.)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Black Works Studio | S&R Corona Gorda
Overall Score – 89 – Very Good
Blind Cigar Review: Black Works Studio | S&R Corona Gorda
Summary
"Good smoke. I definitely enjoyed the earlier phases more than the finish. The early sweet and creamy profile was really nice, and the spices dancing around the background were a lot of fun. Worked really well for a lazy late Sunday smoke with my fifth or sixth cup of coffee. " -John I. (John I.)
