Ventura Cigar announced the Archetype series just before IPCPR 2016. The line originally included 5 blends, and later added three more. The Dreamstate is made at Henke Kelner’s Occidental Cigars in the Dominican Republic.
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.
Dreamstate, uses a Dominican Connecticut Shade wrapper and comes in three vitolas: Robusto 5×52 ($9.99), Toro 6×50 ($10.99), and Churchill 7×48 ($11.99). This is described as a mild-to-medium blend.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Churchill
Length: 7″
Ring Gauge: 48
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Connecticut Shade
Binder: Dominican San Vincente
Filler: Undisclosed
Factory: Occidental Cigar Factory
Blender: Henke Kelner
Number of reviewers: 4 – Diana (ArmyRN) Daniel S. (Daniel S.) Jason H.(Jokey Smurf) Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Price: $11.99
Age: 8 Months
Release Date: August 2016
Contributed by: Ventura Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 90
“This is a very nice looking Connecticut shade wrapped cigar that is heavy in the hand and has tight, evenly applied seams. ” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Aroma: 88
“There was an air of dry toast, but otherwise I wasn’t able to pull much aroma from the cigar. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Flavor: 90
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“My initial puffs were filled with pecan, coffee and cedar. There was a nice mix of white pepper that was just right on the retrohale. As I got further into the cigar I noticed a nice buttery flavor mixed with some spice that reminded me of cookie dough. I was ready to go do some baking while smoking!” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“The flavors on this sample started out light and airy with a bit of white pepper spice through the nose and hints of cedar and nutmeg on the palate. There really isn’t a dominant flavor at this point, however there is a definite sweetness that appears after each puff. The lingering aroma is mainly sweet and pleasant.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“I really was enjoying the baking spice/cookie dough flavors and they continued into the second third with a splash of cinnamon and honey also present. The woody cedar balanced the cigar nicely for me and I found myself really enjoying the bakery flavors of this cigar. ” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“Grains continue to lead the way into the second third. After a relight at the beginning, I was also able to pick up a note akin to fresh cut grass. Toasted oats and other grains are still the main points, with just a bit of oak on the retrohale.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Final Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Entering the last third of this cigar I was curious as to whether the baking spices would hold on. I was then surprised to get the pecan flavor back which I had initially noted during the first quarter inch or so of the smoke. The cedar came forward and mixed nicely with the creamy butter. The other spices subsided but there was a nice toasty tobacco flavor that really enhanced the cedar and butter for me.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“The final portion of this cigar has shown absolutely no change from the first puff, remaining extremely mild with a hint of white pepper and sweetness. The smoke has remained very thick and enjoyable…lending to an enjoyable experience. ” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 89
“The draw was very good for me but on the side of being just a little loose. I was able to really enjoy the flavors with each draw and didn’t have to struggle to fill my mouth with an abundance of flavor. ” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Burn: 89
“This cigar had a nice, even burn line but surprisingly had a relatively fast burn. That said, the smoke was really cool for the duration.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Construction: 88
“I think a lot more could have been done with the blend, but all other aspects of the cigar’s construction were way better than average.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 89
“I really enjoyed this cigar and was quite taken with the baking flavors that I experienced. This was a really relaxing cigar for me. Perhaps because the notes of butter, fresh dough, cinnamon, cedar, pecans and toasty tobacco, gave me the sensation of hanging out in an old fashioned kitchen with cookies baking in the oven. ” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“This cigar was ok at best. From the appearance of the cigar I really wanted to like but the flavors were boring with no surprises. The draw and construction played a part in a disappointing smoking appearance.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
“This was a very one-dimensional smoke yet still was enjoyable based upon the characteristics of the smoke, and the quality of the construction. There wasn’t anything that was unpleasant, just mainly uneventful.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“Hot summer days. Cold American lagers. Those are the days for this cigar. Its light flavor is not overwhelming should the weather be hot and dry, and the cold, macro-brewed American lager is nearly a perfect match. Don’t puff too fast, or will turn bitter. At the same time, you need to find a cadence to keep it burning. The biggest downfall to this cigar, for me, was the constant relighting I was required. I’d try it again though, and hopefully I find the way this cigar likes to be smoked. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
"I really enjoyed this cigar and was quite taken with the baking flavors that I experienced. This was a really relaxing cigar for me. Perhaps because the notes of butter, fresh dough, cinnamon, cedar, pecans and toasty tobacco, gave me the sensation of hanging out in an old fashioned kitchen with cookies baking in the oven. " -Diana (ArmyRN)
