Just prior to the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show Ohana Cigars announced its fourth line, the Ohana Pulse. Ohana is a brand produced by Familia Rodriguez Tobaccos. Owned by Ryan Rodriguez and his father Frank, Familia Rodriguez Tobaccos focuses on small batch production. With the Ohana Pulse, there were two blends announced – an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper version and a box-pressed maduro. Today we are reviewing the Ohana | Pulse Maduro Toro. Since Familia Rodriguez Tobaccos launched in 2014, the company has steadily built a loyal following.
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 name “Ohana” is Hawaiian for family and Pulse keeps to the brand’s theme. In a press release announcing the Pulse, Ryan Rodriguez explained, “Ohana is about family and friends and Pulse carries on with this belief. With every heartbeat, every pulse, our family and friends are the lifeblood of our existence. We are deeply humbled and honored by the support we have received in these first two years and now we honor you with Pulse.” For the Ohana Pulse line, Rodriguez partners with Tabacalera NOA (New Order of the Ages), the facility owned by Noel Rojas and Brandon Hayes.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Adres
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: Tabacalera NOA
Blender: Ryan Rodriguez
Number of reviewers: 5 – Adam B.(Bushboy) Diana(ArmyRN) Derek (StogieNinja) Jeff (ExpendableYouth) Matt (Mattehh)
Price: $9.50
Age: 1 Year 6 months
Release Date: July 2016
Contributed by: Ohana Cigar
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 92
“Beautiful cocoa brown wrapper, with a toothy feel. Box pressed with a closed foot. I am a sucker for a closed foot cigar. Slight color imperfections but they are minimal.” –Matt (Mattehh)
Aroma: 91
“Aroma is very sweet and earthy. Foot has a touch of coffee, although very faint. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“The cigar starts with pepper, leather, and coco. The draw and smoke output is spot on so far and has an even consistent burn. I was a bit surprised by the amount of pepper on the retrohale and was expecting more of a woody chocolate based on the draw. The cigar has a nice complexity to it and the first-third has been really enjoyable. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“First light gave me the sensation of puffing on pipe tobacco which is an instant like for me. The leather is noted right away with a bit of mineral flavor mixed in. This gives this cigar an earthy but not dirty flavor which I am already loving. Plenty of plums of smoke and some hints of chocolate and nuts. The after taste is like taking a great taste of french roasted coffee. Flavors are nuanced but definitely complex.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Second Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Cherry wood and raisins start to develop and take center stage. Chocolatey flavor is still present from the first third. Very mellow overall and all notes are blending together very well. Finish still has a nice kick of spice which is enjoyable. Burn line is close to perfect and smoke output is fantastic so far. Ash is snow white and holding its shape well. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“It’s still marvelous, but the beginning of middle third is somewhat muddled. The flavors feel a bit muted, and a hint of bitterness appears. Then almost at the halfway point the bitterness is gone and the baking spices and rich chocolate blow me away, along with a deep, rich earthiness. It’s been a long time since I enjoyed a maduro this much,” –Derek (StogieNinja)
“The pepper has picked up in the final-third which was expected. The experience is a continuation of the previous thirds with wood, pepper, leather, and hints of a semi-sweet coco. The construction, draw, and smoke output have been perfect throughout the experience and has really made this an enjoyable smoking experience. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“The flavors have combined into a woody sweetness that I can’t quite pin down. The have all melted together nicely, but no certain flavor is taking the reigns. The burn has been slow and cool and draw is perfect. Touch of marzipan and raisin on the finish. Spice has subsided and the strength is starting to build. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 96
“Easy draw but not sloppy. The abundance of smoke is easily experienced with the draw.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Burn: 94
“Overall an excellent burn with great combustion and good smoke output. Required a few minor touch ups, and one relight in the final third, but that may have been my fault.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
Construction: 95
“Well constructed with no major issues or soft spots. Burn and draw were great.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
“Overall this was a very good smoke. I prefer a little more transition in the flavors, although there was nothing unpleasant during the smoke. The flavors started one way, and ended up melding together into a hodge lodge of deliciousness. I guess what I am trying to say is I would have preferred the flavors be a little more distinctive. This was a good cigar for people of all levels and would recommend trying for yourself. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“This was the perfect cigar for an extremely cold day in the Northeast. Although I always drink water when reviewing a cigar, I could have easily paired this with a nice cup of dark or french roast coffee. For the bourbon drinker a peaty choice would definitely enhance both the cigar and the bourbon. This was a nice complex cigar that didn’t have a lot of transition but it made up for that with a consistency that kept my palette right where I was happiest. Leather, coffee, a hint of chocolate, a tad bit of mineral flavor, and a hickory smokiness, combined for a tasty and above average smoking experience.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“My palate has drifted away from maduros and towards more medium-bodied cigars over the past few years. I’ve probably enjoyed less than a handful of the maduros I’ve smoked in that time, they’re often too oily or muddy or dirt-tasting. This one ranks up there with some of the best I can think of, like El Oso, Tennessee Waltz, or the old Liga Privada No. 9. Very good and highly recommended.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
“This was a nice consistent cigar but was a bit of a one trick pony. That is not to say that it wasn’t a pleasant cigar but was kind of middle of the road to me. I would like to try another one with a cup of coffee as a morning smoke because I think it would make an excellent early morning cigar. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“My overall experience was just… good, not anything that stood out and made it more. I almost put it out after the first couple of puff because of the musty and harsh perfume notes but that changed quickly into a very flavorful smoke. The chocolate cake and hints of coconut were very good and kept me wanting to not set it down. The construction flaws are what brought it down. ” –Matt (Mattehh)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Ohana | Pulse Maduro Toro
Overall Score – 90 – Very Good
Blind Cigar Review: Ohana | Pulse Maduro Toro
Summary
"My palate has drifted away from maduros and towards more medium-bodied cigars over the past few years. I've probably enjoyed less than a handful of the maduros I've smoked in that time, they're often too oily or muddy or dirt-tasting. This one ranks up there with some of the best I can think of, like El Oso, Tennessee Waltz, or the old Liga Privada No. 9. Very good and highly recommended." -Derek (StogieNinja)
