Nat Cicco is a brand mostly known for making bargain cigars. This is their premium offering.
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.
Everything about the look of this cigar says Behike. The vitolas and bands are very similar to the Cuban Cohiba. The blend uses an Ecuadorian-grown Habano wrapper with a Nicaraguan binder and filler. The cigars come in 10 count box.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Nat Cicco
Blender: Zander-Greg
Number of reviewers: 4 – Eric (smalls29) Adam B. (Bushboy) Jeff (ExpendableYouth) Matt (Mattehh)
Price: $6.90
Age: 1 Year
Release Date: 2012
Contributed by: Nat Cicco
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 94
“Gorgeous little chubby robusto-plus. Guessing about 5.5″ x 55. Double cap highlighted with a pigtail. Closed foot with a light chocolate wrapper. The detail and features on both ends of this stick lead me to believe this will get attention at any B&M. I know I would grab this one on sight. Fantastic sheen that foreshadows oils and ultimately some kick ass flavors. Can't wait to start toasting this cigar.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Aroma: 92
“Earth and hay. Foot is bursting with notes and has a hint of must. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
First Third
Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The aroma was a nice sweet cedar smell. The flavor is all woods. The aroma is a nice reminder of a camp fire. Nice smells and tastes of oak, cedar, and hickory. The after taste has hints of licorice and cinnamon. A very nice start.” –Eric (smalls29)
“Excellent flavor in the first third. Creamy and smooth. Nutty with a short finish. Flavors of nought dominate the post-pull-palate (PPP). Perfect burn and overall “aces” so far. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Second Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Strength building a touch. Medium body with outstanding and distinct flavors. Yeasty break with a touch of spice is taking center stage. Tastes like a mild black pepper kick without the bite on the tongue. Fantastic aroma. Chewy and savory. White ash I have been tending in about 1″ increments, although if left to burn could easily hold on for much longer. The firmness of the ash leads me to believe one could smoke this whole stick without an ashtray.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“The second-third still has a light white pepper that sits on the tip of your tongue. The cigar has a rich espresso, caramel, leather, and bready finish. The ash is a bit flaky and has fallen off mid-puff a couple of times. The flavors and smoke output continue to impress. The construction, smoke output, draw have been perfect so far.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)”
Final Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Asa the cigar builds in strength so do the flavors. Aroma is the highlight. Burn is second to none. Body has remained light, but slight bitterness and muted flavors are present. Short slow puffs are the answer and allow me to nub this bad boy. Unsuspected vanilla flavors on the finish as I put this cigar to bed. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“Finally the flavor is at a point that the cigar should have started. The smoke is smooth and abundant. The flavors are still the same but not at intensities that I feel the cigar should be at. Leather still in the forefront with the wood and earth in the back. The retro is smooth and just a heat. ” –Matt (Mattehh)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 96
“It is close to perfect draw but on the loose side. ” –Matt (Mattehh)
Burn: 93
“No issues on the burn, no relightes. I do have to puff a few times to get it going if it sat for a bit.” –Matt (Mattehh)
Construction: 96
“Very nice. No flaws to speak about.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 92
“I had hopes that this would be a flavorful cigar from beginning to end. The first and second third were wonderful. Lots of woods and earthy notes. A nice licorice after taste and a sweet campfire smell. As I sat here enjoying this one I could help but feel I was at the beach sitting round a campfire with a good scotch. ” –Eric (smalls29)
“This cigar was a delight from toast to nub. Started while grilling a few burgers and was rewarded with a light, yet delicious medley of creamy, nutty flavors. Aroma was second to none and left my mouth watering.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“I really enjoyed this cigar. It had great flavors, construction, and smoke output. Pick one of these up and give it a try. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“Overall the cigar did not wow me. It was lackluster at the beginning and was a slow ramp all the way. The last third was the best. I could actually taste some flavors that were muted in the beginning. Like I said before, you would think from all the smoke production you would have more flavor. ” –Matt (Mattehh)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 89
Reviewer
Apr
Aro
1/3
2/3
3/3
Draw
Burn
Const
Ovr
All
Eric
88
92
90
90
85
88
93
88
88
Adam B.
93
90
95
95
97
95
95
97
97
Jeff
100
92
95
95
95
97
93
93
95
Matt
95
85
85
88
88
95
97
97
88
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Natt Cicco | HHB 54
Overall Score – 93 – Great
Blind Cigar Review: Natt Cicco | HHB 54
Summary
"I had hopes that this would be a flavorful cigar from beginning to end. The first and second third were wonderful. Lots of woods and earthy notes. A nice licorice after taste and a sweet campfire smell. As I sat here enjoying this one I could help but feel I was at the beach sitting round a campfire with a good scotch. " -Eric (smalls29)
