Cayman Cigar Co. Sovereign No. 2 Corona – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Cayman Cigar Company is a fairly new cigar manufacturer you may not have heard of. Founded in 2018, they are the first company to produce hand-rolled premium cigars for export out of Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. An interesting part of this company’s story is that Cayman Cigar Company claims to be the only premium cigar maker in the word to donate 100% of all profits to charity. The Cayman Cigar Co. Sovern No 2. is the source of today’s review.

Cayman Cigar Company began with the combined vision of two friends, John Lemuel “Lem” Hurlston and Granger Haugh. While serving together as board members of local charities, Granger and Lem proposed a “for-profit/non-profit” business model that would help charitable organizations while making some of the world’s most exclusive cigars. They call their shared concept of innovation, entrepreneurship and social responsibility “Philanthro-Capitalism.”

The first line they sent us to review is the Sovereign. This line has three distinct blends within it, each with it’s own sizes. All cigars in the line use wrapper, binder, and long-filler tobacco sourced around the Caribbean. It comes in a 5 1/4 x 44 corona, and a 5 1/4 x 50 robusto. The blend uses USA Broadleaf for both wrapper and binder, overtop Cuban Seed Criollo Seco and Volado filler.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Corona
Length: 5 1/4″
Ring Gauge: 44
Country of Origin: Cayman Islands
Wrapper: USA Broadleaf
Binder: USA Broadleaf
Filler: Cuban Seed Criollo Seco and Volado
Factory: Cayman Cigar Co. Factory
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 5 – Kevin J. (maninblack77) Bill C.(Bill) Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi) Lauren S. (Lauren S.) Chad M. (Chad Tchad)
Price: $19.00
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: September 2022
Contributed by: Cayman Cigar Co.

Initial Impressions – Cayman Cigar Co. Sovereign No. 2 Corona

Appearance: 94

“This caramel color wrapper is gorgeous. The vein structure of the wrapper leaf is very apparent. It is rolled tightly with nearly invisible seams. This cap is beautifully applied. All in all this cigar is visually stunning.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Aroma: 93

“Has some of your typical Connecticut shade aromas such as floral notes as well as dry tobacco. The cold draw offers much of the same.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The opening notes are that of a dry wood. This covers the whole palate. There is a slight pepper note that is trying to wake up the palate. As for the retrohale, there is an abundance of pepper burning the sinuses. The smoke is thick and rough leaving me with a little bit of a scratchy throat. The finish is short.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“The draw is nice to start, First few puffs deliver nice smoke and flavor.  Medium roast coffee, red pepper. Retro is more black than red pepper. To explain, red pepper is slightly spicy with some sweetness, black pepper is just the spice. A little bit of the “pop rocks” type sensation on my tongue in relation to the pepper flavor. A touch of leather and a little bit of a vegetal-type bitterness in the background but not in a negative/green sense. Really nice flavor package.  Short finish except for the pepper which hangs on till the next draw. This is some creaminess away from a home run.” –Bill C. (Bill)

Second Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“This smoke continues with a good flavor of cedar and black pepper with now more notes of cinnamon and an almost lactose/cream/malty flavor. Retrohale stays solid with a well-balanced black pepper flavor. The texture of the smoke continues to have a coating feeling on the palate.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

“A nice spice has kicked in, in the second half that lingers on the palate well after a puff. It seems to be a mix of black and white peppers, but it lingers like a jalapeno. The woody oak and cedar flavors are also still very prominent and the cedar is giving a nice sweetness against the pepper.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Final Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“As i had hoped, the floral notes make an appearance again as do the lemon zest flavors. The strength picks up a bit but it is still mild to medium. It did get slightly hot near the end, possibly due to me rushing it. Overall a pleasant finish.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“The final part of this smoke the cedar and black pepper have decreased a ton. The main flavor now is a creamy lactose flavor and is very similar to a heavy sweet cream flavor. This would pair great with a good coffee in the morning. Retrohale is staying solid with a well balanced black pepper flavor. Still with a good mouthfeel and coats the palate.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

Overall Impressions – Cayman Cigar Co. Sovereign No. 2 Corona

Draw: 95

“The draw was a bit tight on the opening but opened up nicely once it warmed up and produced a good mouthful of smoke.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Burn: 96

“Razor sharp burn just about the whole way, burn wanted to tunnel a bit of the start, but that’s me being nit-picky.” –Bill C. (Bill)

Construction: 95

“A perfect bunch and roll made for an enjoyable smoking experience.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 93

“I was fairly impressed by this cigar. It offered up some really good flavors that I usually don’t get some of these milder cigars. Usually these don’t hold my interest for long but this cigar really shined in this vitola. I’d recommend this to any lover of milder cigars.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“A really well-made cigar and a pleasant smoking experience. Fairly linear in terms of flavor, but it was a nice flavor throughout so I won’t complain too much. The only real negatives were the general lack of sweetness and then the dryness of the last third as the earth started to build into the close.” –Bill C. (Bill)

“The first third was not to my liking but it quickly changed my mind. The final third has a lot going on engaging every part of my palate. This cigar could open, or close, your day. It has a little something for everyone in an hour-long smoke. I would recommend it to any smoker that is looking for a fiery, flavorful smoke that won’t wreck your palate.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“I really enjoyed this cigar as a peppery cigar lover. The mix of the various pepper flavors and a sweet cedar and oak just blended perfectly on the palate. While not the most complex cigar the flavor was great and seemed to be perfect in this corona length. I will absolutely try to revisit the cigar in the future.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

“The cigar started with strong cedar and black pepper with mild notes of cinnamon. Then transition with those flavors decreased and then a very nice sweet heavy cream flavor and texture took over which was great. Retrohale had a well balanced black pepper that was solid the entire smoke.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 62

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Cayman Cigar Co. Sovereign No. 2 Corona – Blind Cigar Review