Blind Cigar Review: Tre J | Vicarias Black

Blind Cigar Review: Tre J | Vicarias Black Robusto

Blind Cigar Review: Tre J | Vicarias Black Cigar Info

Tre J Cigars 2014 and their first line was Vicarias. Originally there were Black Label, Blue Label, and White label blends, then the company added Red Label a year later.

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 Vicarias Black Label is described as a classic Maduro. The blend was specifically designed to bring out the subtle notes in wines, as well as spirits and cocktails. The blend uses a Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper, Dominican Olor binder, and filler from Dominican Republic and Honduras. It comes in two sizes a Robusto (5.5 x 50) and a Corona (5 x 48).

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera Las Lavas S.L.R. 
Blender: Jay Clark ,John Johnson,Jerry Garrett
Number of reviewers: 4 Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Allison T. (The Yoga Ash) Jonathan R. (J.Lee) Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
Price: $7.75
Age: 13 Months
Release Date: 2014
Contributed by: Tre J Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 88

“Small ring gauge with a deep brown wrapper. Veiny with visible seams. A little rough but not bad by any means.” –Jonathan R. (J.Lee)

Aroma: 88

“Smelling the body of this cigar you would find a bunch of chocolate and marshmallow sweetness. Sniffing the foot you find musty earth and salt. Taking a few pre-light draws and I get dried fruit, fresh-cut hay and white pepper that lingers on the lips.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

First Third

Blind Cigar Review: Vicarias | Black
Blind Cigar Review: Vicarias | Black

Flavor: 89
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“Let me talk about the dry draw because it made me laugh. I made sure to retry it twice just to make sure…Yup reminds me of the taste & smell through my nose of opening a box of fresh Raisin Bran cereal.
1060 upon lighting was very cedar forward with a buttery mouth feel rounded out with smoked Alderwood salt to tantalize the palate. I didn’t expect this constant billowing smoke which is nice but the fact that it has gone twice is not so great. Finishing up the last of the 1st third a lite cinnamon joined into the party while needing to be constantly tending to as the ash was very flaky & it didn’t keep a nice even burn.” –Allison T. (The Yoga Ash)

“As soon as I light this cigar I am met with loads of smoke. It is heavy and coats the tongue with smoky wood and marshmallow fluff. Pushing smoke through the nose and you have a heavy floral note that sticks around for the whole third. The ash has a little flowering to it and is a salt and pepper in color. ” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Second Third

Blind Cigar Review: Vicarias | Black
Blind Cigar Review: Vicarias | Black

Flavor: 88
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“Starting the second third the pepper is coming in with a short finish. I’m getting a charred oak and slightly bitter herb. Strength still on the lighter side with some light to medium flavors. ” –Jonathan R. (J.Lee)

“The middle of this cigar the same as the first third… white pepper and little else. The burn is really nice so far. ” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Final Third

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

“Burn issues happening even in the last third with 1060 burning much quicker. All the cedar, meatiness, the salt left & I was left with graham cracker & back of mouth black pepper that turned into a floral essence & cracked wood. ” –Allison T. (The Yoga Ash)

“Very consistent in its flavors of Dark roasted coffee, oak with the addition of slight leather. Pepper already gone, didn’t last long at all. ” –Jonathan R. (J.Lee)

Blind Cigar Review: Vicarias | Black
Blind Cigar Review: Vicarias | Black

Overall Impressions

Draw: 90

“I didn’t have any concerns to note in regard to the draw on this cigar. It was just a little tight fit my taste but not enough to stifle the smoke production.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Burn: 89

“I was impressed in the early stages of the cigar with how it was burning but as it progressed I began to have problems with keeping the cigar lit and the burn getting out of control which required touch-ups and relights.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Construction: 90

“Firm and tightly packed and looks small in the hand. No botches but the wrapper just looked a little messy. Good Construction at best. ” –Jonathan R. (J.Lee)

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

“There were some nice parts of this cigar but unfortunately for me, the ending is what I truly remember and it was not good. This is one I feel I’d pass on if offered in the future.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“This cigar did not show a great experience with all the burn & construction issues. To much babysitting needed. ” –Allison T. (The Yoga Ash)

“It’s a good stick if you’re looking for something light with some light to medium flavor. Little to no strength so this would be a nice little smoke for the morning or with little to no food. All in all, it was good but I wouldn’t put it on my “go-to” list. ” –Jonathan R. (J.Lee)

“I kept saying that this was not a bad cigar but also never found anything that was overly special about it. This would make a great cigar for yard work or walking your dog. Good flavors can be found, at times, but not overly complex that it will keep you from whatever you are trying to accomplish. I could see myself smoking it again but wouldn’t spend to much time seeking one out. ” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 64

Reviewer
Apr
Aro
1/3
2/3
3/3
Draw
Burn
Const
Ovr
All
Jason H. 90 95 90 90 85 90 85 90 87
Allison T. 87 85 88 83 87 90 78 83 83
Jonathan R. 87 87 90 88 87 90 90 88 87
Estevan Z. 87 90 88 88 90 92 92 92 87

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Tre J | Vicarias Black Robusto

Overall Score – 88 – Good

Blind Cigar Review: Tre J | Vicarias Black Robusto
Summary
"I kept saying that this was not a bad cigar but also never found anything that was overly special about it. This would make a great cigar for yard work or walking your dog. Good flavors can be found, at times, but not overly complex that it will keep you from whatever you are trying to accomplish. I could see myself smoking it again but wouldn't spend to much time seeking one out. " -Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
Appearance
88
Aroma
88
First Third
89
Second Third
88
Final Third
88
Draw
90
Burn
89
Construction
90
Overall Experience
88
88
Good