Cigar Geeks - Henry Clay War Hawk Rebellious LE Toro

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Henry Clay War Hawk Rebellious LE Toro
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Brian (ninfiction)

86
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique. This one has been generously sponsored by our member klamm143 (Kevin). The cigar provided for this round is the http://www.cigargeeks.com/cigardb/default.asp?action=showcig&cigar_id=192083">Henry Clay War Hawk Rebellious LE Toro. The Henry Clay War Hawk Rebellious seeks to turn the attention back towards its namesake, honoring the fighting spirit that the former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives became known. (Henry Clay was a staunch U.S. nationalist that became a leading voice among a faction of Congress known as "War Hawks," signifying their desire for war with the United Kingdom (War of 1812) as an ultimate resolution of conflict.) This cigar is aptly named, as it is a bit rebellious in going against its own tradition by not using a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper – as do most other Henry Clay brands. The Rebellious LE is the second release in the Warhawk series and is expertly rolled at AJ's prestigious Tabacalera Fernandez factory in Nicaragua with a rare vintage 12-year old Nicaraguan Habano wrapper paired with the finest aged Nicaraguan binder and long filler tobaccos. Limited release of a single size in 1,200 boxes.

Henry Clay War Hawk Rebellious LE Toro

Brand:: Henry Clay
Name:: War Hawk Rebellious LE Toro
Length:: 6
Ring Gauge:: 54
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Nicaragua
Binder:: Nicaragua
Wrapper:: Habano
Nicaragua
Color:: Colorado
Shape:: Toro
Notes:: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/limited-henry-clay-war-hawk-rebellious-debuting-in-july

This cigar was enjoyed with Water

Pre-Light: 9 Points of 10 Possible

Nice looking cigar with a milk chocolate wrapper. No veins, nice smooth cap. Firm feel, no lumps or hollow spots detected.

The aroma is a powdered milk chocolate like Nesquick mixed with a hint of cedar. Delicious, if it smokes like it smells it's going to be good.

Lighting and Burn: 13 Points of 15 Possible

Solid salt & pepper ash that holds on in good inch + chunks.

Just a little waviness to the burn in the first inch or so but after that it was relatively sharp requiring no relights or help straightening out.

The smoke volume is great and the near perfect(for me) draw ensures mouthfuls of smoke.

Construction: 28 Points of 30 Possible

Overall the construction was superb. I don't believe in perfect scores, but it was close.

The draw, burn rate, smoke volume all confirmed that this is one very well constructed cigar.

The cap and wrapper caused no issues even after getting wet. No unwrapping whatsoever.

Not really a whole lot else to say. Great construction.

Flavor and Aroma: 36 Points of 45 Possible

The initial flavors are heavy pepper and wood. There's a touch of sweetness behind there that is almost creamy. Have to really look behind the wood and pepper hanging on the tongue.

There's a little woody bitterness that keeps showing up that I don't really dig.

The middle third+ really mellowed out and left much more to be enjoyed. The pepper is still there but better balanced with some leather, earthy wood and a touch of that creamy sweetness I picked up in the first section. The cigar is really good with this profile mix.

The last third returned to the first third. Bitterness, pepper and wood and the creaminess hiding behind it all.

Summary

Big thanks to Kevin for including me in the critique. I do love me a Nicaraguan puro.

This cigar did not disappoint once it moved past the initial pepper blast. Definitely would try another but probably not seek them out. I think these are priced in the $10 range, couple bucks less would be the right price point and make me more likely to grab another.