J.C. Newman Brick House Bricktoberfest 2023 – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. released its annual Brick House Bricktoberfest cigars last fall, shipping them to 128 retailers in the United States and Germany. These limited-edition cigars, rolled at J.C. Newman PENSA in Estelí, Nicaragua, featured a 6 x 52” toro size with a pigtail cap. The blend uses a Havana Rosado wrapper from Ecuador, complemented by Nicaraguan binder and fillers, perfectly suited for pairing with a bold Oktoberfest lager.

Priced at $10.00 per cigar, they were available in boxes of 10. Additionally, customers purchasing five Brick House cigars from participating retailers received a commemorative Bricktoberfest beer stein. Reflecting on the brand's legacy, Eric Newman remarked, “My grandfather, J.C. Newman, was born in the only house made out of brick in a small village in Austria-Hungary. He lived with his family on the second floor while the first floor was the local tavern and general store. The ‘Brick House' cigar label depicts his family's home. My ancestors gathered in the original ‘brick house' to relax and celebrate with beer and cigars 150 years ago, and Bricktoberfest is the perfect way to celebrate the season with beer and Brick House cigars today.” In our blind tasting last year, the Bricktoberfest 2022 was rated a 92, which you should check out here.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: J.C. Newman PENSA
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 4 – Jessica (Stogie Sister) Sean F. (fullermaine) Chris M. (Chris) Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
Price: $10.00
Age: 5 Months
Release Date: September 2023
Contributed by: J.C. Newman

Initial Impressions – J.C. Newman Brick House Bricktoberfest 2023

Appearance: 94

“The wrapper on this tall toro sits between light and medium brown, with a nice oily sheen. Lots of small veins web out across the wrapper. They are a slightly darker shade, so they stand out more than normal. It looks like a large triple cap with a sort of fan tail up top.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Aroma: 96

“Pre-light aroma is milk chocolate and nougat, most excellent.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

First Third

Flavor: 95
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“This one starts with an almost meaty leather and bold plum sweetness out front. Oatmeal and milk mix In beneath that. I get oak, and a cinnamon/pepper combo mixing in as well. By the time I finish picking out the initial flavors, I'm an inch in, and a toasted almond has replaced the meaty leather. It's quite busy in the flavor department, but in the best way possible.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“Notes of walnut coming through.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Second Third

Flavor: 94
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Plum sweetness is replaced by honey, and sits up top with milk, coffee, and the toasted almond. Oak and black peppercorn aren't far behind. Cinnamon is lighter in the mouth but hits more through the retrohale. I get a light toasted bread in place of the oatmeal. Oak creeps up to the top passing the midpoint. The flavors have settled slightly in this third.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“The second third introduces some hazelnut notes and a hint of baking spices. Leather remains the star of the blend, along with that touch of white pepper on the retro. I keep having to make myself slow down because I find myself smoking fast due to how much I'm enjoying it.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Final Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The last third of the cigar turned very savory with no chocolate or nougat sweetness at all. Instead, I got pepper, oak, coffee, and leather on the finish. I found myself missing the sweet of the first two-thirds.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

“The final third is more of the same as a leather-forward blend. The great mix of cedar, hazelnuts, and slight spice on the retro continues until the last puff.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Overall Impressions – J.C. Newman Brick House Bricktoberfest 2023

Draw: 98

“While the pigtail did not work, the draw was nicely open and produced great smoke once I cut it.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Burn: 95

“Even burn throughout that needed a minor touch-up at the end.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Construction: 96

“The stick was packed on the lighter side but performed very well throughout. I appreciate a bit of resistance on the draw, but even with it so loose, I got easy mouthfuls of smoke.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 95

“Good cigar for those liking transitions, starting off a bit sweet and ending more savory.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

“The only thing good about this cigar was the flavor notes and draw. A lot notes that include clove, cedar, peanuts, cream, oak, and corn. Perfect draw from beginning to end. The construction left a lot to be desired. Cracking, splitting, and flaking to start off with. Wrapper came off and left binder and filler to smoke. Needless to say, not a cigar I'd go out of my way to smoke again.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“This was a bold and complex smoke. I got strong breakfast vibes with the coffee, milk, bread, nuts, and bold sweetness. All the accompanying flavors just added to the resemblance. I'd highly recommend, and could easily smoke again.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“Something about this cigar blend was a superstar for me. I often found myself smoking too fast because I was enjoying the blend so much. Leather was the star backbone of the blend from the first puff until the last. There was some great complexity first, with cedar sweetness and a slight white pepper on the retro. Then, some hazelnut and subtle baking spice notes as the blend progressed. I would smoke this again and look forward to discovering what it was.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 75

To view the complete scores and notes, click here

J.C. Newman Brick House Bricktoberfest 2023 – Blind Cigar Review