Black Label Trading Company has announced a cigar celebrating their 10-year Anniversary, La Madonna Negra. La Madonna Negra is rolled at James Brown's Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua.
91%
Very Good
The flavor profile on this blend was great with a solid bitter dark chocolate flavor later mixed with some nice baking spices and smokiness. A sneaky black pepper kick made me want to retrohale often to spice up the blend even more. There was just a slight construction or leaf problem causing a major central tunnel in the first couple of inches that weighed this stick down. I'd want to try it again in hopes of getting the full start-to-finish experience." -Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
88%
Good
"A well constructed cigar made for a light that we dream of. I needed only one short match for an even light. As the smoke hit my palate, I could easily identify the subtle bitterness of dark chocolate surrounded by silky nuances. After about ten minutes, the flavor began to change, introducing mint to the party on the palate. Unfortunately, it was a little much, as it muted the other flavors that had been present. As I continued to smoke, the mint settled down and the other flavors returned for a merry blend that pair well with a morning cup of joe, or a nightcap with some Irish cream." -Jai P. (Jai)
90%
Very Good
"This was a very pleasant cigar to smoke. It eased me into the experience with soft and pleasant flavors then ramped up to the fuller bodied and flavored cigar I prefer. I would gladly smoke this often and would happily recommend it to a friend." -Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) has announced Ambush, a sampler including multiples of each of its Tiger Series. Ambush will be available at select BLK WKS retailer events beginning this month. It is rolled, like all other Black Works Studio and Black Label Trading Company cigars at Fabrica Oveja Negra, in Esteli, Nicaragua.
90%
Very Good
"Until that last third I would have said that this was a fairly linear cigar with minimal transition. The last third saved it a little bit but I’m not sure most people would have stuck around for it. I would have been one of them. If you are a fan of a light, liner cigar this will be for you. I’ll be interested to see what this cigar is so I can give it another shot." -Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
91%
Very Good
"This was a very good cigar. It started out with quite a bit of earthy tones with wood and walnuts, as the cigar progressed it produced more sweet tobacco notes as well as some creaminess. The cigar ended up with the sweetness, cream, and then a bit more wood flavors to finish the cigar. I would definitely smoke this again. I would say this is at least worth a fiver purchase. " -Mickey T. (irratebass)
95%
Excellent
"Really nice flavor package. The only thing that keeps me from sending the ratings to the top of the scale is the overall dryness of the smoke, the unbalanced pepper on the retrohale, and the draw that was to the loose side of perfect. But all things considered those deductions are a bit nitpicky. I’ll definitely be buying more of this." -Bill C. (Bill)
96%
Extraordinary
"This smoke didn't feature a rollercoaster of transitions or over-the-top complexity and in my opinion, those qualities are certainly not prerequisites of an incredible cigar. Rather, I tend to put a premium on a stick that intrigues my palate with abundant flavors that are not only smooth but also balanced enough to keep my attention. This cigar accomplished all of that and more while maintaining similar flavor profiles from start to finish. What stood out for me the most was how smooth the smoke was from the first puff to the last which ultimately led to the incredible smoking experience. Simply put, this is just another banger that I can't wait to add to my collection!" -Noah S. (Noah)
91%
Very Good
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·"This was a very good cigar. I was greeted with a sweetness after the fist inch or so and it did not let up. Later as the cigar progressed I was treated with a celery type of flavor that started at first on the retro, but soon switched to covering my entire palate... so that mix of vegetal and sweetness was the cat's meow. The strength stayed at a medium the entire smoking time. Very curious to see what this was." -Mickey T. (irratebass)