Protocol Paddy Wagon – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

In December of 2020, Protocol Cigars came out with new shop exclusive cigar for Caravan Cigar Company in Bath, PA: Protocol Paddy Wagon. The name keeps the tradition of law enforcement, and fits with the shops name and history. “When we do projects with shops we try our best to personalize that project to that specific shop. We do this to totally immerse the shop and it’s spirit into the project. Here the Shop is called Caravan Cigar Company because the company started doing mobile cigar events at fairs out of the back of the family Caravan. We looked at the concept of a Caravan and tried to see how we could relate it to the law enforcement world. That’s how The Paddy Wagon was born,” said Juan Cancel. A paddy wagon is a word used to describe a large police vehicle or van used to transport prisoners.

Paddy Wagon is rolled at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. It comes in one vitola, a box-pressed toro 6 x 52 called Rabito. The cigars come in10 count paper bundles and each cigar has an MSRP of $9.50. Bundles go for $90. The blend uses a Mexican San Andreas Maduro wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and filler from Jalapa and Condega. The cigar was blended by Hector Alfonso Sr. working closely with Brian Lewis, owner of Caravan Cigar Company.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: La Zona
Blender: Juan Cancel, Hector Alfonso Sr.
Number of reviewers: 4 – Alan (Eulogy) Mickey T. (irratebass) Ryan H. (Ryan H.) John A. (Bostoneo)
Price: $10.00
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: December 2021
Contributed by: Protocol Cigars

Initial Impressions – Protocol Paddy Wagon

Appearance: 91

“6×52 very dark brown wrapper with a small pigtail up top. little tooth to the wrapper, minimal veins almost invisible seams. Bunch is firm with a little give.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Aroma: 91

“Lots of floral and cloves on the body. Heavy spice with cinnamon and maybe some rum aromas on the foot.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

First Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Very defined cedar and black pepper with little bits of cherry and earth as well. Very smooth and balanced with a little bitterness. I hope doesn’t stick around. Some cream complements the cherry very well.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“Upon lighting up, I am greeted with a generous draw with amble of amounts of smoke and flavor. Initial notes of rich leather with a cedar finish and a wonderful retrohale with a black pepperiness that is well balanced. As the cigar continues, this profile is further enhanced with a marshmallow-like sweetness and remains steady throughout the end of this third.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Second Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“There is a slight increase strength this third with a slightly oilier mouthfeel. Most of the notes are the same also with really only some additional leather notes. Still mostly a meaty and mineral profile with some red pepper and baking spice.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Coming around to the second third, the plumes of smoke continue to build with flavors of deep and rich leather, malt, black pepper with a dry sweetness. Not much more happens here besides the black pepper note building and building upon each other, creating a spicy profile towards the end of this third.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“I didn’t see this transformation happening. A strong bakers chocolate comes in and a leather note develops on the finish, making things much more interesting. The room note has been very pleasurable, definitely a boxable cigar.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“Again the only flavors I experienced was leather and floral…….there MIGHT have been some coffee, but if there was it was slight.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Overall Impressions – Protocol Paddy Wagon

Draw: 91

“A little on the looser side from normal, however, it drew wonderfully.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Burn: 88

“Had to babysit this cigar’s burn line and tendency to want to tunnel.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Construction: 93

“Looked well made and I like the soft boxed pressed shaped and nipple cap. The foot was a bit bunched but the rest of the seams were perfect. I couldn’t find any soft spots pre-light and I liked the size of the stick.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 92

“I enjoyed the cigar but it was a bit monotone since there was no evolution in flavors. If you like a strong, meaty profile this is probably a good bet for you.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Overall this was a good smoke….now mind you I only got leather and floral notes out of this cigar, maybe you will find more flavors than I, but I would definitely smoke this again.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Had a rough start with the bitterness but shined very well in the second and third very boxable stick.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“Overall, this was a wonderful tasting cigar with some minor burn issues. Generous notes of leather, cedar, black pepper, and spurts of drier sweetness here and there made for an enjoyable experience. I am on the fence if I would want to smoke this again as it tasted great, but I do not want to deal with the construction issues. If this cigar was a bit tighter on the draw, it would undoubtedly be excellent.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 120

Reviewer	Appear.	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Alan	92	95	92	92	92	92	95	92	92
Mickey T.	85	88	88	88	88	88	83	92	88
Ryan H.	90	90	88	90	90	95	92	92	92
John A.	90	92	90	90	88	90	83	85	90

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Protocol Paddy Wagon – Blind Cigar Review