(Note: This review originally appeared on CigarJack.)
 |
Brand: Bobalu Cigar Company
Line: Wedge
Vitola: Belicoso 6.5 x 50
Origin: United States
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Dominican
Body: Medium
Strength: Medium
Box Price: $105.00 (Box of 25)
Continuing on my recent string of independent and boutique cigar companies, the Bobalu Cigar Co. is a great story. Based in Austin, Texas, it’s a cigar shop that features about a dozen of its own lines, ranging from spicy Ecuadorian cigars to smoother Dominican stogies.
Bobalu seems to pride itself on the skill of its rollers, which are available for events. Most of the time, you can even watch them roll cigars at work on the Live RollerCam. Company manager John Haddad sent me out a few of his cigars to try, and the first one is the maduro Wedge.
Pre-smoke, you’ll notice the Wedge’s interesting shape. There’s something to be said about a cigar that naturally looks like it should hang, gangster-style, out of your mouth. You’ll find it smells nutty, mainly, with hints of chocolate.
The Wedge starts out spicy, but once it smoothed out, I found it was smooth and creamy, with a nutty aftertaste. It was so fragrant and tasty, I smoked it all the way to the nub. (The cigar’s shape helped me out with that one as well, but when Mollie, my girlfriend, comments on the cigar I happen to be smoking, that’s a good thing.)
Bobalu’s rollers did a good job with this one too. After a jagged burn to start, the Wedge corrected itself after about 3/4 of an inch, and I didn’t have to touch it up at all.
Verdict: If you like supporting local rollers, there’s nothing better than going with someone in the good ol’ U.S. of A. I really enjoyed this one, and I look forward to Bobalu’s other cigars.
Similar cigars: A stunt double for La Flor Dominican Double Ligero Maduro Chisel shape-wise, but it tastes like the Camacho SLR Maduro.