Cavalier Genève Inner Circle Domaine Rouge Figurado – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Earlier this year, just before the PCA tradeshow, Cavalier Genève Cigars announced a follow up to last year’s Inner Circle with the new Inner Circle Domaine Rouge by Cavalier Genève. This is a regular production addition to the Inner Circle cigar line.

Domaine Rouge is a reference to Cavalier‘s cigar factory in Honduras, the Fabrica Centroamericana de Tabaco SA (FCT), which consists of a red color. As with the original Inner Circle did, Inner Circle Domaine Rouge pays tribute to the people that influenced the history of the company; in this case, a tribute to founder Sebastien Decoppet‘s father, Pascal Decoppet, who passed away in 2021.

Pascal Decoppet was born in 1956, which is the date shown on the Domaine Rouge cigar boxes, designed with the aesthetics of classic wines and wineries in mind. In addition to cigars, classic wines also brought Sebastien and his father together. Several other subtle visual references to Pascal can be found on the Inner Circle and Domaine Rouge boxes.

Inner Circle Domaine Rouge by Cavalier Genève comes in four sizes: Petit Robusto 4.5×50, Robusto Grande, 5×54, Toro, 6×52, and Figurado, 6×52. All come in 24 count cabinets. The blend for the Domaine Rouge uses a Habano Jamastran Viso wraper, Connecticut binder, and Habano Jalapa Viso, Paraguay Viso, Habano Jamastran Viso fillers. The Domaine Rouge has a recommended MSRP ranging from $14.10 to $15.40 in the USA.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Torpedo
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay
Factory: Fábrica Centroamericana de Tabaco S.A.
Blender: Sebastien Decoppet
Number of reviewers: 5 – John I. (John I.) Kevin A. (Kevin A.) Ryan H. (Ryan H.) Doug S. (Unpossible_1) Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Price: $15.40
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: July 2023
Contributed by: Cavalier Genève Cigars

Initial Impressions – Cavalier Genève Inner Circle Domaine Rouge Figurado

Appearance: 91

“This cigar is a 6×52 torpedo with a firm bunch. It has a very light brown wrapper with visible seams and some moderate veining.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Aroma: 88

“Aromas were somewhat hard to detect but I did pick up some leather, and salted mixed nuts.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

First Third

Flavor: 86
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“Medium plus in strength, the spice and dark cinnamon are the first identified notes. Oak wood joins followed by some coffee; a pretty complex profile to start. All the notes are complementing each other very well. The burn and draw, to this point, have been phenomenal.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“Early on in the cigar, there really isn’t much going on. Mild red pepper flakes, dry earth, and wet concrete are all present all with heavy mustiness on the finish. The retrohale has some bitterness to it with burnt marshmallow and charred oak. The draw is still good and the burn is slightly wonky but performing well.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Second Third

Flavor: 87
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The cigar built layers of kitchen spices, toasted bread, and lightly roasted coffee through the second third.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

“Salted peanuts followed up by black pepper pretty much run the show. Not much changes until I pass the halfway mark. At this time things sweeten up a bit, which helps create a little more balance. Up until this, things were all savory.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Final Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Intensity kicked up a little bit in the final third of the cigar. Cinnamon appeared and paired with the sweetness of the pear, pushed all of the bitterness from early on to the back. Burn and draw have been very good throughout. Retrohale now has white pepper, oak, and a mint-like finish that came out of nowhere. Burn and draw performed all the way through. Strength stays medium while the body and complexity just nudge into the medium range.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“The final third continued by adding a breakfast-type thing that started in the previous section. I picked up a fair amount of toasted whole-grain bread, coffee, and the like.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

Overall Impressions – Cavalier Genève Inner Circle Domaine Rouge Figurado

Draw: 92

“The draw was absolutely perfect for me.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

Burn: 94

“Nice sharp burn for the duration.” –John I. (John I.)

Construction: 94

“This cigar looked very well constructed, you can tell the manufacturer put a lot of work into creating something this special.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 91

“No sir. I don’t like it. It had a problematic draw, was spongey, and burned pretty hot and fast. There were hints of menthol on lighting, and it came back towards the end. The cigar had an astringency and bitterness that left a pretty ugly mouthfeel.” –John I. (John I.)

“This cigar wasn’t bad, but it was also not a memorable experience. It had a mild start with bitter notes, and transitioned into some sweetness. Probably not something that I would revisit.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“This cigar is amazing; buy boxes. It would be a lovely addition to a relaxing evening and might not be the stick I choose to smoke at the beginning of the day, but I would smoke it nearly any other time of day.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“A visually striking cigar that lulled me into a sense of peace, only to strike at me with vigor in the form of a creamy and caramel deliciousness. It wasn’t that the first half was bad, as it was just sufficient. But that second half really awoken my tastebuds and had me jonesing for more. Really trying to pinpoint the best way to put this as it was on the cusp of being the apex of my week.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

“This was a delightful cigar. The flavors are great and transitions, though slight, were appreciated and helped continue interest in the cigar. For the size of surprised at how quickly it burned. This is a cigar I can easily enjoy on a regular basis.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 76

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Cavalier Genève Inner Circle Domaine Rouge Figurado – Blind Cigar Review