Protocol Phoebe Couzins Maduro Toro – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Protocol Cigars debuted the next entry in their Lawmen Series at the PCA trade show, introducing the first female honoree: Phoebe Couzins. Following the releases of Sir Robert Peel, Eliot Ness, and Bass Reeves, the Protocol Phoebe Couzins is named after one of the first female attorneys in the U.S. and the first woman to serve as a U.S. Marshall. The cigar is available in the same 6 x 52 box-pressed toro size as its predecessors and comes in both natural and maduro wrappers.

The Maduro version features an all-Nicaraguan blend, making it a Nicaraguan puro. Rolled at A.J. Fernandez’s San Lotano factory in Ocotal, Nicaragua, the cigars come in bright pink boxes of 10. The MSRP is set at $12.50 per cigar. For reference, we reviewed a pre-release version of the natural edition here.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: La Zona
Blender: Juan Cancel, Hector Alfonso Sr.
Number of reviewers: 4 – Angel M. (Angel) Chris M. (Chris) Alan (Eulogy) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Price: $12.55
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: March 2024
Contributed by: Protocol Cigars

Initial Impressions – Protocol Phoebe Couzins Maduro Toro

Appearance: 94

“Looks good with its soft boxed pressed shape, tight seams, and well applied double cap. The wrapper is a nice medium-brown with a few blemishes and firm body. I like the look of the cigar but it does miss that wow factor.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Aroma: 95

“As for aroma, on the wrapper, I pick up a nice pleasant smell of cinnamon baking spice, followed by sweet tobacco. On the foot there is a heavier smells of sweet tobacco, vanilla, and nutmeg.” –Angel M. (Angel)

First Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The smoke output is fantastic but that is because the draw is incredibly loose. The flavors are a bit muted with notes of dry tobacco, mild pepper, and cedar. It is burning very fast and I have to be very mindful how I’m smoking.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Right up front I get a slightly salty cedar, orange citrus and pecan. Beneath that is a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon spice. The saltiness disappears pretty quick, and it doesn’t take long for the orange citrus to dip into the background either. The sweetness shifts to a more generic white sugar creeping up on the second third.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Second Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“In the second third, the pepper has diminished, and the leather has taken the forefront. There is still a slight amount of roasted nut, but very faint, there is also a bit of spicy pepper flavor that has kicked in as well. The smoke is still dry and a bit warm, so far the cigar still remains enjoyable.” –Angel M. (Angel)

“The middle portion of the cigar remains creamy, but the white pepper has transitioned to a black pepper, especially through the nose. The flavor profile lasts long on my pallet and is still there when I take my next puff. The smoke has remained spicy but pleasant, which keeps things exciting.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“In the final third, all the flavors remained fairly the same with the leather being the forward flavor, followed by a faint amount of roasted nuts, and spicy pepper. Smoke also remains dry and warm and there was a bit of bitterness that kicked in during the final third.” –Angel M. (Angel)

“The draw has tightened up a little at the end. The notes have a bit more body to them with notes of dry tobacco, baking spice, cedar, and red pepper.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Overall Impressions – Protocol Phoebe Couzins Maduro Toro

Draw: 87

“The draw of the cigar was just about perfect from the initial puff all the way through the end. Gave me tons of smoke and remained cool all the way to the end.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Burn: 93

“The burn line definitely likes to wave at me. It does self correct pretty quickly, so I can’t complain.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Construction: 92

“There had to be a problem because of how loose the draw was. I liked the soft box pressed shape, large double cap, and super tight seams though.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 88

“Overall, this was a decent cigar. The flavors were a little harsh, but still fairly enjoyable. The smoke texture was a bit dry for my pallet and a little warm, but nothing too distracting. If not for the construction issues, I think it would have been more enjoyable. There was also some significant nicotine that kicked in, but nothing too off-putting and I was able to work through it with no problem.” –Angel M. (Angel)

“This cigar was a little on the plain side for my taste. It did manage to keep my attention with some transitions, but I feel like the flavors were fairly basic. They were sensible and inoffensive, but had they not shifted from the first third, I would have lost interest pretty quickly. I wouldn’t pass one up if it were gifted to me, but I won’t be hunting this one down either.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“The flavors were pretty good but a bit muted. I found the draw to be way too loose and it smoked like a chimney causing me to have to pay a lot of attention so I wouldn’t overheat the cigar. If it was cheap enough and you wanted a quick smoking fairly tasty cigar it is worth a shot.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“This was a good one! The flavor transitions were nice and I appreciate that the cigar eased me into its fuller-bodied finish. Additionally, my wife said the resting aroma was pleasant and enjoyable. I’d gladly recommend this to most any cigar aficionado.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 63

To view the complete scores and notes, click here

Protocol Phoebe Couzins Maduro – Blind Cigar Review