Blind Cigar Review: Regius | Black Label Corona

Cigar Info

Regius translates to Latin as ‘King’. The Regius cigar is supposed to be a regal smoking experience. The cigar name is inspired by Gaius Petronius Arbiter (AD27), a Roman writer and courtier for Emperor Nero who devoted himself to a life of pleasure. He was vulgar yet and became an authority on pleasure. He was looked upon by Emperor Nero to be the absolute authority on questions of taste especially with the science of alchemy. The process blending of tobacco is seen by Regius as alchemy, coming up with something that tastes good while also burns correctly and has a good aroma.

Each Regius cigar is rolled at Plasencia Cigars S.A. and made with tobacco from all over Nicaragua. Regius uses every part of the plant with various amounts of age (up to 15-years-old) and is then covered in shade grown wrappers. For the past few years they have been only available in the U.K., and until recently, they have been one of very few non-Cuban brands to not be sold in the U.S. market. Regius Black Label cigars come in four different sizes: Grandido 7 x 47 MSRP $10.00, Robusto 4 7/8 x 50 MSRP $7.00, Corona 5/18 x 42 MSRP $6.00, Lord Madsen 6 x 38 MSRP $7.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Corona
Length: 5.125″
Ring Gauge: 42
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Shadegrown Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.
Blender: Akhil Kapacee
Number of reviewers: 4 – Daniel S. (Daniel S.) John I. (John I.) Isaac M. (The Nothing) Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Price: $7.00
Age: 1 Year
Release Date: 2012
Contributed by: Regius Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 90

“This cigar was out of round, but nothing that I would call a box press either so I’d assume they’re packaged in a tight cabinet. The seams were fairly apparent and the cap was well applied.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

Aroma: 88

“Milk chocolaty with some fermented notes. ” –John I. (John I.)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“At first light, I got mostly salt and also black pepper. The salt flavors did not last long. On the draw the flavors were light. The retro had a array of pepper flavors. I pretty much had to retro hale all the time through the first third to taste anything.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)

“This cigar started out nicely with an arrangement of toasted bread, roasted grains, kitchen spices and white pepper. The flavors were fairly distinct, and rolled across the palate from one to the next. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

Second Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The flavor on the draw is starting to pick up a little bit overall it is still light. However, I am picking up some sweetness and creaminess. The retrohale is really nice still getting some pepper but also getting a nice ginger burn, which is enjoyable. ” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)

“The toasted bread notes fell off with the ash at the beginning of the second third, leaving me with flavors of roasted grains and kitchen spices such as clove and cumin. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“On the last third the strength picks up a lot which surprised me. The strength is a nice addition to the experience of the cigar. I am also getting some carmel notes which complement the sweet cream and pepper flavors. This last third is more complex and makes me pay attention to the flavors. I would like to revisit this cigar in a year or so.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)

“In the final third there was an increase of flavor intensity, but not so much a change of flavors. While they had held up well, they were causing me to lose interest. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 90

“Draw is really almost perfect. Really easy to get a mouthful of smoke.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)

Burn: 93

“This cigar burned solid from start to finish with an ash that held throughout each third. . ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

Construction: 87

“The cigar was a bit tight in the beginning but opened up as it went on. Otherwise the construction was pretty good. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 88

“I enjoyed this cigar even though in the beginning the flavors were super light. All throughout this cigar the retrohale was really good. The last third had some nice complex flavors and that tells me, this cigar has potential to be a really great cigar with some time. I would definitely smoke this cigar again.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)

I hope the construction issues with the sample provided are not pervasive through this line. Inability to draw correctly led to a frustrating experience. Tough to get any sense of potential flavors. There were some floral notes pre-light, and some caramel very early here. Would have been interesting to see what developed. As it is, this is 45 minutes of my life I’ll never get back.” –John I. (John I.)

“From start to finish, this cigar smoked nicely. It was a quick smoker, but didn’t burn hot and the ash held strong. It never really grabbed my attention though, and that’s where I guess it didn’t meet my expectations.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

“The cigar was ok. It wasn’t overly complex and became increasingly bitter as it went on. Towards the end of the cigar there was a weird cardboard and bitterness that ruined my pallet and really put me off of this cigar. I would probably pass on trying this one again. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 86

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Regius | Black Label Corona

Overall Score – 89 – Good