El Septimo Luxus Collection Exception White – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

In 2022, El Septimo introduced the Luxus Collection known for its diverse sizes and blends of cigars, the Luxus Collection offers cigars aged for 10 years and matured for a year or less, ensuring a refined and premium experience. And part of that was the Exception White, a standout in the Luxus Collection.

The Exception White measures 5 inches with a robust 60 ring gauge, making it a substantial yet manageable smoke. Its silky, dark wrapper is the result of intensive curing and aging. Part of El Septimo's best-sellers, the Exception White is designed for the seasoned enthusiast. Most of the blend is undisclosed, but it is made in Costa Rica at the El Septimo Factory.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Double Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 60
Country of Origin: Costa Rica
Wrapper: Undisclosed
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed
Factory: El Septimo
Blender: Zaya S. Younan
Number of reviewers: 5 – Alan (Eulogy) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Randy B. (randobush) Quinn (quinnpins269) John A. (Bostoneo)
Price: $44.00
Age: 1 year
Release Date: 2022
Contributed by: El Septimo

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 95

“This handsome cigar just looks good with it ‘s smooth and minimally seamed, hot chocolate brown wrapper that is triple capped up top, and an attractive closed foot at the bottom. The aesthetics alone entice the smoker at pre-light. 5”x60 rg it looks like a handful of deliciousness.” –Randy B. (randobush)

Aroma: 88

“Wet peppery grass with huge amounts of earth is clearly evident on the cold draw while cocoa and leather waft into the nose.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“I'll speak from just the first few draws starting out… creamy milk chocolate baking spice, cinnamon, and one fantastic draw, with an outstanding “zingy” retrohale that brings a savoriness and cedar to the show. Add in a faint citrus zest 1” in. The finish is med-long. Tasty.” –Randy B. (randobush)

“The opening draws are just a little tight, even after the closed foot has opened, but I'm still able to get plenty of smoke and plenty of flavor. Initially the smoke is velvety smooth and creamy with burnt caramel and gooey custard notes. On the finish the smoke is very oily and I feel like I'm smoking a crème brulé…I sure wish I had a cup of coffee right now!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“There is a powdery aspect to the profile now but the flavors are the same as the previous third. Notes of leather, cedar, salt, tobacco, and red pepper are all still here but is subdued compared to the previous third. The draw is slightly better but the burn is pretty wonky.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“The profile had shifted some during the second third. While the earthy mineral texture and aroma continued the charred oak had faded away. A fresh roasted coffee flavor came through. It seemed to go well with the slight grit of the mineral notes. The body is staying a very solid medium.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“I keep having to do relights which is starting to become frustrating. The flavors are great with notes of baking spice, red pepper, leather, cedar, and a hint of floral. I'm really enjoying the drastic change in flavors but the burn and it constantly going out is a bit of a bummer.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“The final third transitions into flavors of coffee, cedar, black pepper,. The smoke output is not as billowy & bountiful, but still satisfying. The final finish is medium to long.” –Randy B. (randobush)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 91

“I found the draw to be right in line with what I hope for when smoking. It did offer a bit of resistance, but not so much I felt I was fighting it. I never felt I was going to over heat the cigar.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

Burn: 86

“This was a tough cigar to smoke due to burn issues. For some reason the cigar just did not want to burn and required many relights. On a positive note note the ash was very strong and needed a firm tap to knock it off.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Construction: 91

“This was a very attractive cigar that really caught my eye and felt amazing in my hands. Performance, however, told a different story and left me frustrated and disappointed. I hope my sample was an anomaly.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 89

“Sort of a mixed bag because the flavors were great and the profile shifted in really interesting ways. The draw, burn, and constant relights really detracted from the experience though. I would love to give this another shot and would buy a few just to see.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“This cigar was beautiful and smelled amazing. The opening flavors, likewise, were wonderful and completely piqued my interest. Then, unfortunately, things changed and it became a struggle to finish the cigar as the flavors became rough and the performance absolutely fell off. Based on the beginning I absolutely want to try another. Based on the finish, however, I'll have to convince myself it's worth it to give it another try.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“Pre-light should be mentioned that this was an absolutely beautiful smoke aesthetically.
There were noticeable flavor transitions through each third with this cigar, with the most noticeable being between the second and the final third. The first and second third produced mouthful of abundant smoke and pretty pleasing retrohale. The final third produced less smoke in a much less creamy retro Overall, I enjoyed the cigar, but not likely to invest in a box. I'd certainly smoke it again though.” –Randy B. (randobush)

“Out of the gate I wasn't sure about the cigar. The charred oak that I picked up was an interesting start. Luckily it faded away and the rest of the review was very enjoyable. I would consider smoking this cigar again if it was offered in a different vitola.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

“This cigar started and ended horribly. The flavors it provided felt artificial as if it were infused with a chocolate casing. The construction fell flat as the cigar had numerous burn issues and eventually ceased burning properly. With this stick the only sample I had, I would not suggest this cigar to anyone, unless you like infused cigars maybe? There are plenty of other cigars out on the market that could easily surpass this experience.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 70

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El Septimo Exception White Luxus Collection – Blind Cigar Review