Cigar Geeks - Blackbird Cigar Co. The Rio (Privada Cigar Club Exclusive) Gran Toro

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Blackbird Cigar Co. The Rio (Privada Cigar Club Exclusive) Gran Toro
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: nirab

86
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique generously sponsored by our member tuck0411 (Todd). The cigar provided for this round is the http://www.cigargeeks.com/cigardb/default.asp?action=showcig&cigar_id=193208">Blackbird Cigar Co. The Rio Gran Toro.

This cigar is an exclusive to Privada Cigar Club. The folks at Black Bird Cigar Co. had an aged cigar at their factory that they had been smoking for personal consumption because they couldn't sell the blend with their branding on it due to FDA regulations. They reached out to Privada, who fell in love with the blend. It has a rare combination of Brazilian wrapper and Brazilian binder. Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. Aged 2.5 years in the Dominican republic. They named it The Rio. The color, the Christ the Redeemer statue, and the font. DOPE. Collectible. Rare. Exclusive. Aged. Sounds perfect for Privada!

Blackbird Cigar Co. The Rio (Privada Cigar Club Exclusive) Gran Toro

Brand:: Blackbird Cigar Co.
Name:: The Rio (Privada Cigar Club Exclusive) Gran Toro
Length:: 6
Ring Gauge:: 54
Country of Origin:: Dominican Republic
Filler:: Dominican Republic
Nicaragua
Binder:: Brazil
Wrapper:: Brazil
Color:: Colorado Maduro
Strength:: Medium
Shape:: Toro
Average Member Purchase Price:: $10.35
Average Member Rating:: (2 Review(s))
Notes:: https://privadacigarclub.com/shop/black-bird-cigar-co-the-rio-restock/

This cigar was enjoyed with coffee

Pre-Light: 8 Points of 10 Possible

The wrapper is somewhat oily, with a few prominent veins, giving the cigar a rustic appearance. The cap is well applied, and stays intact after v-cutting. The cannon is firm with a little give, and the aroma is sweet tobacco.

Lighting and Burn: 12 Points of 15 Possible

The burn stayed even throughout the entire cigar, but I did experience a small tunnel in the middle of the cigar, and it occurred during the middle third. The ash was fantastic, holding until I tapped it off in 2" chunks. The color was a bright white, with very little black, and had nice dotting to it! The burn was slow, and required no relights. The smoke volume was in the medium range, and was light during the tunneling issue.

Construction: 24 Points of 30 Possible

The draw was perfect, with just the right amount of resistance, allowing smoke to be drawn out at a nice rate. The wrapper had quite a few prominent veins, but these did not affect the performance of the cigar. The cap was well applied, and remained intact throughout the entire time.

Flavor and Aroma: 42 Points of 45 Possible

The cigar started out with a very nice, natural sweetness, with just a hint of spice, and some very light cocoa undertones. The smoke was very smooth. Into the middle third I experienced a small tunnel, which hindered some of the flavors, but, it was still enjoyable. The last third found the sweetness falling to the back, and there was a nice tanginess that really went well with the spice profile. The aftertaste was nice, and the retrohale was enjoyable. Even with the tunneling issue, the cigar remained very smooth.

Summary

Overall I really enjoyed this cigar. The small tunneling issue took away from the enjoyment, but that did not last too long. I definitely would smoke another one! Most of my point deductions were based solely on the filler issue. Thank you Todd and CG for allowing me to review this cigar!