Cigar Info
Hiram & Solomon Cigar brought a new cigar to IPCPR 2019: The Grand Architect. The cigar is named after one of the founding principles of Freemasons.
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 a corojo wrapper, followed by a seco habano wrapper, then fillers from Paraguay and 2 types of Nicaraguan Ligero. The leaf from Paraguay is a rare leaf that is also used in the company’s Entered Apprentice and Veiled Prophet blends. The Grand Architect comes in 20 count boxes and three sizes: Robusto – 5 x 50, Toro – 6 x 52, Gran Toro – 6 x 60. They are rolled at Plasencia Cigars in Esteli, Nicaragua, and cost between $10.00 and $12.00 USD.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan Jalapa Seco
Filler: Nicaragua, Paraguay
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 4 – Alan (Eulogy) James H. (Keikan Jim) John I. (John I.) Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Price: $11.00
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: July 2019
Contributed by: Hiram & Solomon Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 94
“This cigar is well constructed with beautiful damp leather color with no,seams and very minimal veins, this is a very good looking cigar.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Aroma: 92
“Slight note of bread and hay on the foot with just a mild pepper kick at the end.” –Alan (Eulogy)
First Third
Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Heavy note of leather clings to the palate with a rich red pepper finish. A smokey cedar and light anise start to develop about an inch in and I’m getting an almost salty note on my lips. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Opens with a roar. Pepper galore with a bright lemony finish. Fifteen minutes in this is pretty delightful. Pepper has subsided after the opening leaving a nice dry, woody flavor dominating. Packs a pretty solid punch. Construction is exceptional thus far.” –John I. (John I.)
Second Third
Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Full
“As I get into the 2nd third the sweet bread has shifted into more of a leather profile with baking spice and just a hint of anise. The retro was still peppery but not as powerful. I truly like the way this cigar has progressed. Strength has moved slightly into the medium full range.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“Strength kicks up a notch but this is still a medium bodied smoke. Citrus notes get added to the flavor profile with a lemon zest that is very appealing. Nice addition to the graham cracker flavor. Burn is still very impressive. Ash holds on for over an inch before I tap it off. Nice medium bodied smoke so far.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Final Third
Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Full
“The strength has ticked up several notches at the end. An almost meaty flavor has developed with tobacco, white pepper, and an oily red pepper that was sorely missing from the previous third.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Dryness continues with deeper notes of rich earth and coffee. Strength increases a bit toward the end, but still comfortably in the medium-full range.” –John I. (John I.)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 95
“No issues with the draw at all. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Burn: 95
“Razor sharp throughout never needing a touch up or relight. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Construction: 94
“The only real construction issue I had was the wrapper cracked near the middle but it didn’t take away from the experience. It was probably due to the change in temperature since I smoked it outdoors. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Full
Experience Overall: 94
“It’s a little strong at the end for me but it’s a great smoke. Good smoke output, solid transitions, and an interesting flavor profile kept me engaged the entire time. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“This was a great cigar from start to finish. I will definitely seek this one out. ” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“I really enjoyed this cigar. I’d happily burn these everyday. It’s not tremendously dynamic in terms of transitions, but the core flavor here is a bit out of the ordinary. Most dry, woody cigars I’ve had haven’t had the potency on display here. Great good stuff. ” –John I. (John I.)
“Very enjoyable medium bodied smoke with some flavors that kept my interest to the end. I would give this cigar an 89. While not the most complex, the notes that were present were enjoyable and in my wheelhouse. I would smoke these again, perhaps in the morning with some coffee. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 84
Reviewer
|
Apr
|
Aro
|
1/3
|
2/3
|
3/3
|
Draw
|
Burn
|
Const
|
Ovr
All |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alan | 95 | 92 | 92 | 92 | 92 | 95 | 95 | 93 | 95 |
James H. | 95 | 92 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 |
John I. | 93 | 88 | 92 | 92 | 92 | 97 | 90 | 95 | 93 |
Kevin J. | 93 | 90 | 92 | 92 | 92 | 95 | 95 | 93 | 93 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.