Back in April of last year, Cubariqueño Cigar Co. announced afourth regular production line, Protocol Official Misconduct. It is produced La Zona in Esteli, Nicaragua and comes in one vitola a 6 x 50 toro. Protocol Official Misconduct comes in boxes of 10 and sell for$98.90 per box. Official Misconduct continues Law Enforcement themes for their cigars as owners Juan Cancel and Bill Ives are polices officers.
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 starts with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, bound with a binder and fillers are from Esteli and Jalapa. The officially launched at IPCPR last year.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro Length: 6″ Ring Gauge: 50 Country of Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Habano Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Factory: La Zona Blender: Juan Cancel, Bill Ives, Erik Espinosa Number of reviewers: 4 – Alan(Eulogy) Steve (ThaGreatWazoo) Eric (smalls29) Adam B.(Bushboy) Price: $9.89 Age: 6 Months Release Date: May 2018 Contributed by: Cubariqueño Cigar Company
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 93
“This cigar has a really nice milk chocolate colored wrapper. The veins were abundant, but not off-putting. The wrapper was firm and the cap was well sealed. An overall real nice look and feel to the cigar.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
Aroma: 89
“Slight baking spice, cedar, and pepper on the foot. The wrapper has a slight earthy note. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
First Third
Blind Cigar Review: Cubariqueño | Protocol Official Misconduct Toro
“This Cigar started off with a very mild and subtle notes. The draw is un-obstructed and effortless. Fantastic smoke output. Slight sweetness and almost a nutty and sweet jam like flavor. Finish is faint cardboard. Touch of spice but not overwhelming. Ash is solid white and gets a little brittle about 3/4 of an inch. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“I’m very surprised by the initial draw. Notes of brown sugar, cream, and red pepper hit the palate in a nice sweet and spicy mix. The retro-hale is a very bold red pepper with a slightly mineral note. The draw is a little loose but not as much as I would have thought due to the pre-draw. About an inch in a more subtle sweetness sets with cedar and dry leather. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Second Third
Blind Cigar Review: Cubariqueño | Protocol Official Misconduct Toro
Flavor: 91 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“The second third mellowed out and actually brought some complexity with it. The finish still presented with a rich full pepper, but the draw and hold had notes of cedar and toast present. This was a real nice balance compared to the first third. The cigar was performing a lot better in to the first third.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“While the wood and nut flavors are still present and not trying to outdo each other, it has grown somewhat bitter. While slightly disappointing after a good start, it is still good.” –Eric (smalls29)
Final Third
Blind Cigar Review: Cubariqueño | Protocol Official Misconduct Toro
Flavor: 90 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“The brown sugar sweetness returned and became the dominate flavor till the end. Pretty enjoyable if you like sweet tobacco, leather, and mild pepper. The smoke was very creamy with an amazing mouthfeel. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Flavors carried over from the second third. Mostly dried fruits that focused around raisins and plum with a touch of dried apple sweetness. Very short finish and pleasant overall. Burn wavering a touch but the solid white ash is a nice contrast to the wrapper. Wrapper began to become a little bit brittle towards the end and a few cracks developed. None of this mattered or affected the overall smoke. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 89
“Not a problem at all. It’s nice not having to work for it.” –Eric (smalls29)
Burn: 88
“A little uneven but it never needed a touch up or relight.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Construction: 88
“The cigar felt a little under filled and some of the fine details, seams and cap, were unexpertly applied. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong Overall Body/Complexity: Medium Experience Overall: 89
“I’m fan of thick creamy smoke and this one certainly delivered. It was more due to poor construction and a loose draw I feel than it should have been though. It did have solid flavors, although possibly a little sweeter than some may like. Kind of a middle of the road cigar but one worth a try if the price is right.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“This stick had its moments of superiority, but ultimately never really delivered the right complexity or completeness throughout the majority of the experience. I found myself fighting more with the cigar than enjoying it and that was a real let down. I think with a little rest and a different cut this cigar might perform a lot better, but for me, during my drive home, this was a one and done.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“This one ran the spectrum of boldness. It started out with a medium bold taste that grew very bold and biter and then became mild in the final third. I was happy with the consistent flavors of wood and nut throughout which helped maintain some of the enjoyment of this smoke. The second third saw some bitterness come in but it wasn’t so bitter that I wanted to out it down. I was surprised by how it mellowed towards the end. Still, all in all, a very nice experience.” –Eric (smalls29)
“Overall this was a pretty good smoke. Nothing overwhelmed the pallet, however I enjoyed it from start to finish. Flavors stayed fairly consistent and were enjoyable throughout. Too-loose roll led to a few burn blemishes and much faster than normal burn. I would definitely try this one again although if the price is too high I would probably pass. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Cubariqueño | Protocol Official Misconduct Toro
Overall Score – 89 – Very Good
Blind Cigar Review: Cubariqueño | Protocol Official Misconduct Toro
Summary
"This one ran the spectrum of boldness. It started out with a medium bold taste that grew very bold and biter and then became mild in the final third. I was happy with the consistent flavors of wood and nut throughout which helped maintain some of the enjoyment of this smoke. The second third saw some bitterness come in but it wasn't so bitter that I wanted to out it down. I was surprised by how it mellowed towards the end. Still, all in all, a very nice experience." -Eric (smalls29)
