LUJ | Le Couturier by Vance Taylor was released at the 2016 IPCPR trade show. Vance Taylor is the founder of the Cigar Syndicate group on Facebook. Luj Oluyeba, owner of LUJ Cigars worked with Vacne on this cigar during a trip to the Dominican Republic. Oluyeba and Taylor met at the 2015 IPCPR trade show and became friends. Blend details have not been released but it is made at Tabacalera El Artista in the Dominican Republic, the same factory that makes Big Papi, El Pulita, and Puro Ambar. Le Couturier comes in one vitola, 6 x 46 and costs $14 per stick. It comes in 20 count boxes.
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.
Le Couturier is French for tailor, but is also Taylor’s father’s original family name. LUJ Premium Cigars is distributing Le Couturier by Vance Taylor and it was available for sale in August 2016.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Corona Gorda
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 46
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: undisclosed
Binder: undisclosed
Filler: undisclosed
Factory: Tabacalera El Artista
Blender: Luj Oluyeba and Vance Taylor
Number of reviewers: 5 – Ryan H. (Ryan H.) John A. (John A.) Mickey T. (irratebass) David F. (dfafjf) Jason H.(Jokey Smurf)
Price: $14.00
Age: 2 years
Release Date: July 2016
Contributed by: LUJ Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 93
“Tree brown in color with visible seams, but no veins in this cigar that appears to be a corona in size. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“We start out here with a bit of sourness and harsh char from the initial lighting puffs. After an inch in these flavors vanish, hopefully not to come back, and a spicy pepper, earthiness and salt replace the former profile. The prefect middle of the road draw produces flakey white ash logs with a little bit of uneven draw as this medium bodied third ends. ” –John A. (John A.)
“This cigar starts with a good amount of spice in both body and retrohale. Some strong vegetal notes which are slightly off putting but nothing too bad. Lots of cedar notes as well to start. ” –David F. (dfafjf)
Second Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“A touch up was badly needed upon entering the second third. Flavors get a bit muddled here and not very distinct. What I can observe flavor wise however is a slightly sour tobacco which doesn’t seem to improve as it is smoked. ” –John A. (John A.)
“Ran into some tar, had to recut, no biggie. Getting walnuts mixed with the cream now, not much wood anymore. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Final Third
Flavor: 87
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The cigar loses quite a bit of strength. And flavors intertwine to a singular bakers chocolate profile draw becomes a little tighter but its still acceptable” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Spice has picked up, and my draw is getting tight. So, the cream has all but left and I am getting more woodsy/earthy flavors along with spice and heavy salt on my lips. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 88
“The draw on this sample was workable but much tighter than I prefer. As a result of this I was required to puff more frequently and harder than normal which may have contributed to the harsh flavors.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Burn: 85
“Slightly uneven burn line that continued throughout the experience but nothing too concerning. ” –David F. (dfafjf)
Construction: 86
“Construction was very good no issues to report other than the tar and tight draw, but it burned well and ash held on for about a 1/4 of an inch in chunks. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“I liked the profile but with the burn construction it made it harder to enjoy if these problems were addressed i would buy and smoke more. ” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“For me, this cigar didn’t have any pluses going for it at all. Inconsistency of the burn and draw compiled with an awful sour note throughout the smoke was very undesirable. Unfortunately, this one wasn’t up to snuff. ” –John A. (John A.)
“This cigar started out really nice with lots of cream and mild to medium in strength , but as I got into the 2nd and final third the cream had disappeared and more wood/earth and spice notes became front and center. It would be a good first cigar of the day, but give warning to the spice and nicotine that catches up with you. Would definitely smoke again. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“This was a good cigar. I enjoyed the slightly complexity and change in flavor profile throughout. Not a big fan of the vegetal notes on this cigar, as I often don’t think that mixes in well with a stronger cigar.” –David F. (dfafjf)
“This sample really missed on all counts for me. The flavors were not at all enjoyable after the first third and the performance issues were a real turn off. I am not planning to smoke another of these.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“This cigar started out really nice with lots of cream and mild to medium in strength , but as I got into the 2nd and final third the cream had disappeared and more wood/earth and spice notes became front and center. It would be a good first cigar of the day, but give warning to the spice and nicotine that catches up with you. Would definitely smoke again. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
