Cigar Info
This new cigar Brand was created by one man, Riste Risteski, who was disappointed with most cigars currently available on the market. Smoking mainly Cuban cigars, he wanted to create a profile which maintained Cuban standards, while adding an interesting yet elegant twist. He wanted to add value to what is already a saturated boutique market. Being Macedonian and both large in stature AND personality, the name for this cigar came easily, JAS SUM KRAL, I AM KING in English.
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.
He noticed many of those calling themselves boutique cigar makers, weren’t involved in the actual blending process. He decided the only way to properly create JAS SUM KRAL, was to set out to find the right factory. After speaking with several trusted individuals in the industry, he decided on New Order of the Ages or NOA, owned by master blender, Noel Rojas.
Upon arriving in Esteli, Noel suggested getting right to work. Having discussed with Noel prior to arriving Noel already had a profile in mind. Riste and Noel sampled leaf after leaf of the finest tobacco. Finally settling on what they thing will change the boutique cigar market.
The box was designed in a way that JSK fans can use them again as a desktop humidor. The boxes are made of thick wood with cedar laced interior to keep the humidity constant. The detail design of the boxes are exquisitely designed to showcase ‘class’ and fit into any type of environment. The box, labels and website was designed by graphic designer from Singapore, Nuzli Hakiim. As Jas Sum Kral means I Am King in Macedonia, he creatively managed to design the band as Macedonian as possible. The font was used to mimic the royalty of Macedonia. The 2 tailed lion is the symbolization of Macedonia. At the ends of the bands, he manage to incorporate the traditional costume of Macedonia.
The cigar comes in three vitolas: Toro (6 x 52, $8.50), Lancero (7 x 38, $9.50), Lonsdale (6 1/2 x 42, $9) and Robusto (5 x 50, $7.50). All four sizes come in 20-count boxes.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Mexican San Andres and Jalapa Seco
Filler: Corojo 99, Jalapa Ligero, Esteli Viso and Jalapa Seco
Factory: Noel Rojas factory (NOA)
Blender: Riste Risteski
Number of reviewers: 4 – Jeff (ExpendableYouth) Alan (Eulogy) Eric (smalls29) Ryan (Youngryan216)
Price: $11.00
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: April 2016
Contributed by: Jas Sum Kral
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 94
“This toro is a cool looking stick with a pigtail cap and a closed foot. This somewhat unusual combination for today’s market looks and feels right in the hand. It’s a very American sized cigar with a decidedly old-school personality.” –Ryan (Youngryan216)
Aroma: 90
“I pick up notes of tobacco, cedar and pepper.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
First Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“There’s a nice cedar and tobacco flavor that is strong, but not overly aggressive. The peppery finish adds a nice dimension and the smoke output is wonderful. The burn is slightly off and the ash flakes easily though.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“I am immediately drawn to the woodsy, campfire flavors and aromas upon lighting. There is a nice cedar flavor hiding in the background. I am having nice memories of a campfire in the mountains. This is a very nice beginning. It is not overpowering nor is it bitter. A nice mild change to what I have been smoking.” –Eric (smalls29)
Second Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The pepper has almost completely subsided going into the second-third. The woodiness is the core flavor that I can pick up along with a strong tobacco note. There is not a lot of complexity to the cigar, and the retro-hale is just a mix of wood and pepper. It has really won me over so far.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“The strength has picked up considerably from the first third. The pepper is far more aggressive from the previous third, making the cedar and tobacco notes more subtle. The smoke output is still impressive, but the ash still falls almost every time I pick up or put down the cigar.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Final Third
Flavor: 87
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The nicotine level is almost overpowering at this point and the pepper has become even stronger, turning slightly bitter. The notes of cedar and tobacco are almost completely hidden now. I did have to slightly touch up the cigar as it was starting to run, but it did stay evenly light after.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Boy have the flavors intensified. I have never had a cigar start out mellow and increase in boldness as time progresses. The peppery flavors have increased and the woody flavor has turned to more of a charred woody flavor. While still enjoyable it is a different experience. The nice thing is that there is not a bitter after taste.” –Eric (smalls29)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 89
“The draw was a little tight requiring two puffs at a time to draw in. However, not a big problem.” –Eric (smalls29)
Burn: 92
“I had no burn issues to speak of and it performed flawlessly in this area.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Construction: 91
“The overall construction was good right until the end when the shoulder started to unravel. It wasn’t a big issue, but was kind of annoying.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 88
“This wasn’t a bad smoke, but it wasn’t anything to seek out either. It was consistent from beginning to end, and the only major difference was the varying degrees of pepper. I would pass on a buy.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“The strength grew exponentially over the course of the cigar and kind of became a little off putting to me. I probably wouldn’t smoke this again unless I was in the mood for a very strong cigar. The flavors weren’t bad though, but they were very one dimensional.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“This was an experience that I have never before had. The cigar started off very mild and had me wondering what was going on. However, as it approached the second third the flavors intensified first with the nice pepper flavors followed by the more intense woody and then charred wood flavors. No one flavor stood out and never made for a bad experience. Definitely one for the humidor.” –Eric (smalls29)
“After an inch, the cigar could not draw enough to keep it burning at a proper rate. This was really a bummer because I was enjoying the flavor profile I did get to experience. I just wish this one was rolled better. I would be interested to give this a second shot in maybe a lancero or corona vitola.” –Ryan (Youngryan216)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 51
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Reviewer
|
Appearance
|
Aroma
|
1/3
|
2/3
|
3/3
|
Draw
|
Burn
|
Constr.
|
Overall
Experience |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff | ExpendableYouth) | 93 | 88 | 90 | 88 | 85 | 90 | 92 | 88 | 85 |
| Alan | Eulogy) | 95 | 92 | 92 | 90 | 87 | 92 | 92 | 95 | 87 |
| Eric | smalls29) | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 87 | 85 | 90 | 90 | 90 |
| Ryan | Youngryan216) | 95 | 90 | 92 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 78 | 70 | 70 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.