Statesman Cigar Co. The Statesman – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

“The Statesman” from Statesman Cigar Co., was released in early 2023 as one of the company's inaugural blends. This figurado-shaped cigar, measuring 5 3/8″ inches with a 52 ring gauge, features a Connecticut wrapper and is rolled in Estelí, Nicaragua.

Not much else is disclosed about the cigar but here is a snippet from the company's webiste about how they got started: “Launched in 2023, Statesman Cigar Co. was birthed out of the founders' shared passion for cigar smoking, great community, and the finer things of life. At Statesman, it's not about simply selling a product, it's about bringing people into an experience. Our mission is to bring as many people into the Statesman lifestyle, a lifestyle of memorable cigar-smoking experiences, sophisticated elegance, and the most important thing – great community. We look forward to having a smoke with you!”

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Figurado
Length: 5 3/8″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed
Factory: Undisclosed
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 5 – Jessica (Stogie Sister) Kevin J. (maninblack77) Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi) Diana (ArmyRN) Noah S. (Noah)
Price: $11.00
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: 2023
Contributed by: Statesman Cigar Co.

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 92

“This short double perfecto has an extended nipple at the foot and comes to a rounded point at the cap. The wrapper is silky smooth with an even color. There is a light box press to it. It is rolled tightly with nearly invisible seams.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Aroma: 90

“Although the aroma of the wrapper doesn't reveal much, what I do pick up on is soft and sweet with a touch of supple leather. A foot with such a small footprint doesn't give up much either and I'm kept in suspense as to what's to come.” –Noah S. (Noah)

First Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“After toasting and lighting this cigar there is a strong nutty profile with a delicate spice finish. Pushing some smoke out my sinuses there is a wonderful floral note with a slight chalky characteristic. The mouthfeel is light and the finish is medium to medium-long in length.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“The wind is really howling today so I hope this doesn't affect the cigar too much as far as combustion goes. The first third was fairly linear and one-dimensional with a lot of white pepper notes and salt with dry grass or hay notes. Very mild in flavor and body. A pretty bland start.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

Second Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“I'm ultra thankful for a sturdy wrapper as chomping on the cap continuously has helped to open up the draw a little bit. Although its still a few notches tighter than I prefer, I'm now getting a lot more smoke and with it a lot more flavor. Cedar, cinnamon, and cardamom still dominate upfront but are now joined by the milk chocolate which is no longer reserved to just the retro even though that is where I taste it the most. The finish is a little longer now, less nutty but still just as savory, more akin to a fresh baked wheat bread. Strength takes a step up as the second third draws to a close.” –Noah S. (Noah)

“The coffee notes have receded and there is more honey mixed with graham cracker and cedar. However, retro brings the coffee notes out and I find myself doing this quite often during this second third. It would be a little less enjoyable without that experience.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Final Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“The final third profile is cream, hay, hint of cedar and a white wine brightness. Retrohale accentuating the notes already present.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

“In a lot of ways this smoke is finishing just like it started with the exception of a few slight transitions and this cigar has been dead consistent. Milk chocolate replaces the cinnamon upfront, meanwhile the cedar and cardamom remain the dominant flavors. The finish remains savory with notes of fresh wheat bread while the retro still features a ton of milk chocolate. The only other notable change has been the draw which thankfully has continued to loosen up providing mouthfuls of rich smooth smoke and pronounced flavors with each and every puff.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 92

“The draw was tight to start but as soon as the burn reached the fat part of cigar it opened up wonderfully. Each puff was cool and flavorful.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Burn: 94

“Solid burn line, wavy at times but easily corrected.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

Construction: 94

“The construction was phenomenal. The bunch and roll was amazing. You can tell that it was expertly done.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Light-Medium
Experience Overall: 93

“This is a lighter cigar that you can smoke in the mornings or before meals and not have it taint your following cigar or meal. It's a light cigar but manages to not be bitter. For me the flavor profile was nuanced and could be easily missed if not paying attention.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

“As I stated earlier this was a one-dimensional cigar that just didn't click with my palate. The cigars were meh at best and just didn't mesh well in my opinion. I'm glad this was a smaller vitola or it would have been hard for me to keep going with the review. Even for a mild cigar, I wouldn't recommend this. There are far better mild to medium-bodied cigars out there. A very pedestrian cigar.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“This cigar checks all the boxes for what a flavorful cigar should be. This bad boy burned slow and made me stop and pay attention to every puff. I would highly recommend it to anyone that values flavor over strength. I will seek it out when I find out what it is.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“This was a delightful smoke for me. Though a bit light in body and complexity for my normal smoking routines, it held enough pleasant flavor notes that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Perfect size for this type of smoke. I would definitely choose this cigar for a pairing with my coffee at any time. Not an everyday smoke for me, but definitely a box to keep around for those quicker coffee breaks.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

“I just love a good perfecto! Not only do they feel right in my hand, they look dapper and honestly remind me of the cigars you would see in classic cartoons. They also happen to be my favorite vitola so when I reached in the humidor and pulled this one out I was more than excited! Thankfully the experience lived up to my expectations. Aside from a couple of touchups needed to correct a wonky burn, my biggest gripe by far was the tight draw that hindered smoke output and muted the flavors throughout the first third. Thankfully a little chomping on the cap loosened everything up and the final two thirds of this smoke was absolutely superb! Not only were the flavors right in my wheel house, they were well balanced and perfectly complex while the smoke itself was nothing but smooth from start to finish. I can only imagine that a better draw would have improved the first third experience and would make an already great cigar just that much better. I can't wait to test this assumption and will undoubtedly be seeking out this stick once it is revealed.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 61

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Statesman Cigar Co The Statesman – Blind Cigar Review