Cigar Info
This new cigar from Klin Tobacco, the parent company of Hammer + Sickle, is unique in that it is the first cigar that is using peat fired tobacco. Along the same vein of the recent trend of other cigars using fire cured tobacco, this cigar is using peat which is part of the process traditionally used in making Scotch Whiskey
The cigar uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper and Corojo binder and filler. For this initial release, 25% of the filler is cured using the peat and 75% of the filler is traditionally air cured. Future releases will have 50 percent and 75 percent of the filler being cured with peat which will provide even more of that flavor. The cigar is available in one size, a 6 x 50 Toro and is set to retail at $12.50.
Initial Impressions
The wrapper is a light tan color and has a few prominently visible veins, along with some not so noticeable smaller veins. The seams are visible but wrapped well. The head is a rounded Torpedo style even though the cigar is noted as a Toro. The wrapper gives the aroma of slight sweet hay and leather. The foot gives off a wonderful smoky sweetness. The pre-light draw consists of a very sweet tobacco. It is not overly sweet as if it was infused.
The Smoke
After lighting, the initial draws are very mild in strength. The flavor consists of a light oakiness. After a half dozen draws, some smokiness comes in and the finish on my tongue is very reminiscent of the finish of a peaty Scotch, just at a toned down level. Shortly before the one inch mark, the smoke is taking on a creamy component which increases the body. Some cedar with a fair amount of spice comes in to mix with the smoky and creamy characteristics. The retrohale really enhances the smokiness. I would put the strength at a mild to medium and the body at medium full.
In the second third, the smokiness and creaminess continue. There is a little bit of spice and a little bit of sweetness on the finish which is a pretty nice combination. The retrohale now takes on a bit of leather. The profile continues throughout the third with the levels of creaminess and smokiness fluctuating. The Scotch style finish has diminished from what was present in the first third. Strength moves up to medium with body remaining at medium full.
In the final third, the smokiness is only present on the retrohale. The spice is now the predominate flavor on the finish and it rests on my tongue for a very long finish. The oakiness is also what is present in the mouth flavor. The spice flavor is how this cigar finished. The strength finished at medium full with the body remaining at medium full.
Overall Impressions
The draw had just the right amount of resistance. The burn wasn’t razor sharp, but it was still very good. The ash held in solid chunks about one and a half inches at a time. The construction was very good with a great draw, good burn line and solid ash.
This was a cigar that I was looking forward to ever since I heard of the idea. With fire cured tobacco making an appearance in some prominent cigars recently, this was a slightly different option in the same area. With the tie in of Scotch, I think it makes for another interesting style. With this cigar, the amount of peat flavor wasn’t as prominent as I was expecting. I can understand why this version was the initial release as you wouldn’t want to overpower anyone with that aspect, so I agree with this being the initial release. As it stands, this is a cigar that I would recommend to anyone that enjoys peaty Scotch or just smokiness in general in their cigars. This would even be a good fit with a new or casual cigar smoker as the blend isn’t overpowering at all. For me, I would deem this cigar a success and it makes me look forward to the 50% peat cured filler version to get even more of its characteristics. Then, it will be interesting to see how the 75% version fares.
The cigar lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes for me.
I would give The Caleanoch 25 a personal score of 90.