Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan Esteli
Filler: Dominican Monte Plata Kelner farm, Dominican Piloto, USA Broadleaf, and Dominican HVA
Size: 6 x 54 Toro
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $19.75
Quantities released: 300 boxes of 10.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
Short Shrift Sunday.
Another blend from Jeremy Casdagli’s good friend, Hendrik Kelner Jr. In fact, Jeremy is closely affiliated with Smoking Jacket and distributes their wares.
On the Smoking Jacket website, Kelner says: “A connoisseur is a person of informed and discriminating taste who appreciates and enjoys subtleties.” I wish I was a grown up like Hendrik.
I reviewed the Smoking Jacket Henkie. An excellent cigar. Read my review here. I rated it 94.
I’m reviewing the Limited Edition II Gran Toro with only a week or so of home humidor time. I found nothing about aging from the manufacturer but as there is a cloak of mystery about this blend, I’m guessing the leaves have some respectable age. There is zero info about this blend on Smoking Jacket’s website. C’mon, Mr. Kelner…help a fan out.
Only 3,000 cigars were produced.
So, what does it taste like? It’s a brash but sophisticated smoke. It is bold with blazing notes of rich dark cocoa, bottomless black cherries, spicy espresso, tart tangerine, salted pea pod crackers, simple black pepper, and acute creaminess. This is a big boy’s cigar. Nuances run by screaming. Fat notes of complexity smack me in the forehead and tell me I’m saved. And its construction? A dense body of work that feels like Andre the Giant’s wiener…don’t ask. Yet, a clear draw that needs no help from my PerfecDraw. (And you thought I couldn’t weasel in a plug for Dr. Rod).
Astonishingly…this was my fourth cigar of the day last evening. Typically, my palate is pretty crispy by this time. But I was blown away. This is why I choose to smoke another this morning despite it being more than clear that this blend should get a few months of naked humi time for it to really shine like a bright yellow taxi. I’m here only because this cigar is available for a short time before it disappears into the mist. 3000 cigars.
I know I rave. I know you loathe me for bringing great cigars to your attention…and you’re asking, “Why can’t he find an incredible $5 cigar?” Well, I might have if I’m right about the IGM Frog…an Ecuadorian/Costa Rican/Cuban blend for $5. Shop IGM here. Again, I get nothing, nada, zero from IGM for touting their wares. Warning: I haven’t smoked one yet. But it’s not a brain fart to take a chance on what I’ve found is a good source for cigars. IGM is solid.
I’m making this determination strictly on blender’s intent. I believe I can taste a beautifully blended cigar’s future. The flavors I reported are out front. No guessing needed. But this cigar will need your patience for you to get the most out of it. Go ahead and smoke one stick a week after receipt. But then don’t touch them for three months.
This cigar has some real punch. If you’re a wuss, this blend ain’t for you.
You can purchase this cigar from sponsor Small Batch Cigar (10% off with promo code ‘katman’).
Special note from Andrew: “It is a great cigar and a sleeper. I’m low on stock, so I ordered more on Friday (May 17). Not sure if Smoking Jacket got them out, but I will check with them this coming week.”
So, if they’re sold out, keep checking back. Don’t give up.
And please don’t forget that there is a new Katman Sampler 2024 from Small Batch Cigar. It includes the Henkie.
RATING: 98
Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS