J.C. Newman Brick House Bricktoberfest 2022 – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

J.C. Newman releases an annual beer stein during the time of Octoberfest, and has so for the last 5 years. These steins can be acquired by purchasing seven cigars at participating retail locations. This annual release of the steins is called Bricktoberfest. This year, the stein is a 1 liter “Das Boot” and is covered with Brick House artwork and dated with Bricktoberfest 2022. In addition to the stein this year, and for the first time, the company released a companion cigar, dubbed the J.C. Newman Bricktoberfest.

The J.C. Newman Bricktoberfest is a limited edition Brick House toro cigar with a pigtail. Not only is this a new vitola for the line, but a slightly different blend than the original. The company describes it as the same flavorful and smooth tobacco with just a hint of spiciness that Nicaraguan cigars are known for. This cigar was made to go well with a bold Oktoberfest style lager.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: J.C. Newman PENSA
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 5 – John A. (Bostoneo) Doug S. (Unpossible_1) Mickey T. (irratebass) Alan (Eulogy) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Price: $10.00
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: October 2022
Contributed by: J.C. Newman

Initial Impressions – J.C. Newman Brick House Bricktoberfest 2022

Appearance: 94

“Toro in size with a medium dark wrapper. Visible seams, but no veins… a small amount of toothiness to it that is packed. Nice looking cigar.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Aroma: 88

“The aroma on this sample is a sharply pungent compost with an underlying barnyard sweetness. It is absolutely captivating…” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

First Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“On the cold draw I pick up a hint of nutmeg along with some coffee and chocolate yet again. Mild to medium in strength. Right away I get more of those dried leaves, baking spice, and a hint of black pepper. A bit later I get some chocolate cake notes which lingers on my palate. There is a lot of smoke coming off the cigar and output. The strength has moved up to a medium plus with more black pepper and baking spices. Ash is about an inch long and holding onto the cigar.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Time to toast the foot and get things underway. Sweet and creamy dulce de leche along with fresh cedar are the first and foremost notes I’m greeted with. About an inch in and the sweetness dials back to allow more of the coffee that tends to compliment dulce de leche. The retrohale offers up a nice savory bite of cumin and coriander.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Second Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The middle portion of this cigar has continued to be primarily leather and baking spices but has developed a ton of oil on the finish and it is resist serving to keep the finish lingering long after each puff. Through the nose the smoke still carries the Cajun spice and I’m absolutely loving it!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“There is still a lot of baking spice and mocha notes with a very pleasant creamy smoke. The background is rich tobacco and cedar finishing a simple but very enjoyable smoke.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Final Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Strolling into the last third, peppery leather is the dominant force. As I burn further down, nice and evenly, the cigar retains its mild-medium bodied profile as smoking bliss continues until the very end.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“The final portion of this cigar has given me a significant flavor shift as the leather and holiday spices have gone away and transitioned into dark earth and bitter dark chocolate. Through the nose the smoke is a bit sharper black pepper but really enjoyable to retrohale. All in all, this final transition is just what I had hoped for and brings this cigar into the fuller bodied and flavored profile I enjoy so much.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Overall Impressions – J.C. Newman Brick House Bricktoberfest 2022

Draw: 93

“I took a very thin cut on this cigar and it was the right decision. The draw was nearly perfect with plenty of airflow and a huge abundance of rich smoke…I’m very happy with the product!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Burn: 93

“Great burn. There was some unevenness at one point after I ashed, but I did not have to touch it up or relight.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Construction: 94

“Excellent construction on this cigar. I burned cool as I mentioned earlier and the ash at one point was damn near the 2 inch point before I ashed.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

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

“Overall, this was a nice mild to lightly medium bodied cigar the entire time. A steady profile of leather, minerals, earth, fruity sweetness, and pepper were clearly evident in some form the entire time. This sample smoked well, except for some noticeable uneven burn in the first third, however this corrected itself. The draw was near perfect, being slightly tighter than ideal, however that did not distract from an otherwise tasty cigar. Give this one a try!” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“Complex flavors that offered transitions that completely changed the profile of the cigar while smoking it. Startrf off with classical notes of coffee and cream, and into a bit of spice and cedar, then finished off with traditional leather and pepper, this cigar offered up a little bit of everything. It really gave me a great experience and one you definitely need to pay attention to or miss out on great complexity.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

“Overall this was a very good cigar that I would say you should at least pick up a fiver of them. There were not many transitions, but the flavors I did get (wood, salt, cinnamon, brown sugar, chocolate, white and black pepper and nuts) were good and kept my attention.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“I really liked the look and construction. The finishing touches were expertly done and the nipple cap made it stand out. The profile was super creamy with an awesome mocha flavor. There weren’t any real transitions but it didn’t bother me as it was perfectly balanced.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“As I sit and ponder the cigar I just finished I am reminded why I smoke cigars. It is for experiences like this… wonderful flavors, excellent performance, and a perfectly relaxing 90 minutes where the troubles of the day disappear and I feel like the richest man in the world. Cigars like this remind me of how this is a luxury for everyone and I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who has a liking for full flavor and just enough power to keep them humble. I could smoke this daily, and would be proud to have boxes of this on the top shelf of my display humidor. I can say with a certainty I will be buying a box after this is revealed.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 93

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

J.C. Newman Brick House Bricktoberfest 2022 – Blind Cigar Review