Blind Cigar Review: Henry Clay | Stalk Cut Toro

Cigar Info

The Henry Clay Stalk Cut was blended by Grupo de Maestros, the elite group of master blenders and cigar makers of Altadis. “Stalk cut” is a tobacco-harvesting technique in which the whole stalk is cut and hung to dry in the tobacco barns. This technique allows the tobacco to preserve its natural elements and minerals to yield richer, extra flavorful leaves.

This cigar shows a dark Connecticut Broadleaf Vintage 2012 wrapper, Dominican Piloto Vintage 2010 binder and Dominican Olor Vintage 2012, Dominican Piloto Vintage 2012 and Nicaraguan Criollo Vintage 2013 fillers. The cigar is available in three vitolas: Gran Corona (Pig Tail) 46 x 6”, Robusto 50 x 5”,  Toro 54 x 6” Priced from $8.00 to $8.50, the Henry Clay Stalk cut cigars are packaged in elegant, 20-count boxes accented with silver and black edging. It started shipping early January of 2016.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Vintage 2012
Binder: Dominican Piloto Vintage 2010
Filler: Dominican Olor Vintage 2012, Dominican Piloto Vintage 2012 and Nicaraguan Criollo Vintage 2013
Factory: Tabacalera de García
Blender: Grupo de Maestros
Number of reviewers: 4 – Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd) Adam B. (Bushboy) Matt C. (Big Matt) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Price: $8.50
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: January 2016
Contributed by: Altadis U.S.A.

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 91

“Toro size box pressed cigar with a closed foot. Extremely tight to the touch and no signs of soft spots. Hopefully this will not lead to a tight draw. The color is a quite curious with even brush strokes of light and dark chocolate. Double cap is slightly darker than surrounding wrapper but seamless to the touch. Veins are present, although small. One vein runs down one of the four corners and appears to have bunch the wrapper slightly when pressure was applied. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

Aroma: 88

“This cigar is enticing me with a spicy and rich aroma that is reminiscent of a well aged humidor. There is also a deep sweet note that is begging to be released by the flame…” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Started with a blast of cinnamon that tingled the side of my tongue. Finish was a sweet chocolate throughout the first third with an earthy flavor dominating. This cigar is not for the novice smoker. Ash split into two crescent almost immediately although rejoined and finally fell off at about three quarter inch mark. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

“Immediately upon lighting, I am hit with a sense that this cigar is blended with Dominican tobacco, which I can describe as a dry chalk, earth and mineral feeling that coats the mouth. I taste rich aged tobacco, earth and some of the citrus that greeted me on the prelight. I think this is a multi country blended cigar, and leather, malt and light cocoa appear in the cigars profile. The retrohale is sweet aged tobacco with minimal pepper.” –Matt C. (Big Matt)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Earthiness is still dominating the palate with notes of oak and hazelnut on the finish. Sweet, chocolate aftertaste from the first third has carried over seamlessly. Retrohale is quite strong and puts an exclamation point on the overall strength of this stick. Burn is even and leaves a solid white ash with a few black accent lines.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

“The second portion of this cigar has remained absolutely enchanting. There continues to be a caramel coffee note, with heavy cream. On occasion I pick up just a bit of pepper spice, but mainly only if I take puffs in rapid succession. On the main, this is a superbly smooth cigar with really interesting subtleties. As an example, on the last puff I could swear I picked up an apricot jam note…just a bit, but there, nonetheless.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Final Third

Flavor: 85
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Woodsy, earthy full flavor with a sweet nutty finish. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

“My wishes have been answered as the final third has remained rich, creamy, sweet, and just what I needed to wrap up my day. None of the caramel, espresso, sweet flavors are overpowering, but instead are commingled into an array that makes me anxious for the next puff. As an added bonus, the rich oily smoke is serving to make the finish long and luxurious, just what is needed to fully appreciate the character of this cigar. What an extraordinary finish. ” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 95

“Even with the covered foot, the draw started out just right, and did not fail even when the burn problems started to plague the final third. The draw was a perfect resistance with great smoke output. ” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

Burn: 89

“Only had to touch up once. Only burned even in the final half, however always self corrected.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

Construction: 93

“This was an expertly rolled cigar, and the construction throughout the whole cigar was very good. However, there is more to a great cigar than construction” –Matt C. (Big Matt)

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

“If it wasn’t for the pleasant flavors in the first third, I would be rating this cigar a lot lower. The burn problems knocked it down quite a few points in my book. I would be willing to give this cigar another go, in the hope that this one stick was just a dud. ” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

“Imagine eating a juicy steak followed by chocolate mouse. Definitely not advisable on an empty stomach due to the strength. Very enjoyable after dinner cigar that had great flavor and offered an overall enjoyable session.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

“This cigar is a cigar that I would hand to a friend who only smoke 1-3 cigars a year and he would be happy due the the fact that it is a cool looking cigar with the slight boxpress and closed foot and they would have a carefree experience. However, the experienced cigar smoker will become disappointed after the profile completely drops off in the final third after flirting with some greatness second third. Personally, it is not a cigar I would reach for again unless it was given to me. ” –Matt C. (Big Matt)

“This, to date in 2016, is clearly my best cigar. The flavors are superb, and have a nice complexity. I feel that the cigar noob could smoke this without being overwhelmed and would be able to discern enough flavor to get them hooked and wanting more. As it is, this cigar requires no aging, and is ready to smoke now. If only I knew what it is so I could order my first box now!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 98

 

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Matthew T.	A Huge Nerd)	88	88	90	85	83	93	78	83	85
Adam B.	Bushboy)	92	90	92	95	90	97	97	97	95
Matt C.	Big Matt)	90	88	83	88	83	93	85	90	85
Jason H.	Jokey Smurf)	95	95	95	97	97	97	97	93	97

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Henry Clay | Stalk Cut Toro