The Hybrid has a five-year aged wrapper comprised of a special crossbred Cameroon and Cuban Seed Corojo developed by Julio Eiroa. The binder is a four year aged Dominican Ligero, from the Kelner Family who supplies Davidoff Tobaccos, that encloses a blend of four and five year aged Dominican Piloto Cubano and Honduran tobaccos from the Kelner and Eiroa Families. The Hybrid is rolled at the Camacho/Davidoff factory in Danli Honduras.
The Hybrid wrapper exhibits rich notes of oak, caramel, molasses, leather, and cocoa beans. The cold draw has a distinctive caramel flavor (reminiscent of certain Dominican tobaccos) that’s backed by some fresh wood notes; finishes spicy, with white and black pepper notes.
Starts off full-bodied and with medium-full strength, exhibiting a bitterish leitmotif, of green stems, licorice, and espresso. The first half of this third experiences some serious, 45 degree angle canoeing, after which the first ashing occurs; the flavor profile then drops some of the initial harshness while introducing black pepper notes, particularly on the retrohale. Toward the end of the first third a sour component enters the picture, backed by a hint of caramel on the palate and by some spice on the finish.
The second third is marked by flavors of cocoa beans and a hint of maltiness, with a good dollop of green leaf-like tannins enveloping the palate as Lady Nic. takes center stage. Then, around the midpoint, the earlier bitter notes of coffee and licorice reemerge.
The last third is of medium+ strength, with notes of wood barrels complete with an oak tannin-like impression on the palate which finishes dry, akin to drinking a bottle of medium-bodied Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Construction was mostly fine, with good draw through a full cut and a mostly even burn with occasional canoeing and short ashes; it seemed to be a bit tightly rolled as it went out on me four times when left unattended. Lasted me for about 90 minutes. 88 AKA Hybrid Corona Gorda (6 x 44)
-Stefan (Stefan)
Author