Cigar Geeks - Black Works Studio Hyena Lonsdale

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Black Works Studio Hyena Lonsdale
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: klamm143

89
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique. This one has been generously sponsored by our member Beegerply (Byron). The cigar provided for this round is the http://www.cigargeeks.com/cigardb/default.asp?action=showcig&cigar_id=192526">Black Works Studio Hyena Lonsdale. Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) is pleased to announce the release of Hyena: Hand crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at Fabrica Oveja Negra. Hyena is a Limited Edition that started shipping to select BLK WKS retailers at the beginning of March. "Hyena is a truly unique cigar that is focused on showcasing a perfect balance between Nicaraguan fillers and the Cameroon wrapper. Hyena is an extremely complex and balanced cigar and is a tribute to our many years of living in Africa," said James Brown, creator of BLTC & BLK WKS and owner at Fabrica Oveja Negra. Limited release of 700 boxes.

Black Works Studio Hyena Lonsdale

Brand:: Black Works Studio
Name:: Hyena Lonsdale
Length:: 6.5
Ring Gauge:: 42
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Nicaragua
Binder:: Nicaragua
Wrapper:: Cameroon
Color:: Colorado
Strength:: Medium-Full
Shape:: Lonsdale
Notes:: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/limited-edition-smoke-from-black-label-coming-in-early-march

This cigar was enjoyed with Grey Goose - on the loose!!!!

Pre-Light: 8 Points of 10 Possible

This is a good looking stick with a unique band and a semi-unique piggy-tail twist to the cap. The wrapper is towards the dark end of the spectrum, slightly oily with minimal veins. The stick feel was firm with just a slight give to it. The aroma fresh out of the cello wrapper was earthy and woodsy. Having never tried anything from this line before, I really did not know what to expect. After the stick arrived, I placed it immediately in my humi at 65RH / 68 degree temp where it stayed for 8 days. I took it out of the cellowrap and let it set at room temp/room humidity for 2 days before light up.

Lighting and Burn: 12 Points of 15 Possible

This stick toasted easily giving off smoke that again seemed earthy and woodsy to me. This stick lasted me about and hour and 40 minutes, with a mostly even burn throughout. I chose to use a V-cut on this stick. About half way through, I needed to do a little light touch up to even out the burn, but nothing major. No relights were required. There was ample amounts of aromatic smoke given off, and a grey white ash that held on in 1 to 1 and 1/2 inch segments. It may have held on longer, but I don't like letting ash fall off into my lap nor my Grey Goose gutwasher glass.

Construction: 27 Points of 30 Possible

(As mentioned earlier)The stick was firm to the touch with only a slight flex. It was well constructed with no adverse imperfections noted. The wrapper was semi oily and had minimal veins that were not deemed problematic. The pre light, pre draw was easy and tasty - earthy, woodsy and a bit nutty. I kinda' like the short stubby pigtail twist on the cap. I thought perhaps the v-cut used on the cap may cause the wrapper to unravel, but it worked out fine.

Flavor and Aroma: 42 Points of 45 Possible

The flavor profile and aromas remained fairly consistent for me throughout the entire smoke - not a lot of differences in first, second or third segments. I seemed to detect something sweet right after light up, but then it all seemed woodsy/earthy/nutty right up until the end where I could detect pepper in the finish. The stick had a relatively cool burn right up until the finish also. Right there at the end, it got a bit "hot" thus I probably put it down a few puffs earlier than I normally would.

Summary

Overall, I found this to be a pleasurable smoke, yet different from what I am use to. Also, I probably would not buy a whole box of these but would not mind buying a few to hold in the humi for down the road. The 12 to 13 dollar price point seems a bit high to me, but sometimes expected of limited run - limited production premiums. JMHO that this stick seems being more reasonable if it were priced in the 8 dollar range.

A BIG THANK YOU to Byron for sponsoring this Critique and letting me in on this one. As always, a THANK YOU to Bruce for all he does around this place and another THANK YOU to all the Geeks that make this such a great site. Stay safe Brothers.