El Septimo is hitting the USA hard with several amazing collections. You have to have an amazing product to be able to claim the best cigar in the world. El Septimo has done just that. One of their newer collections (Gilgamesh) features the brands first 50 gauge cigar. Is this another solid offering from a brand exploding on US soil?
STATS:
Brand: El Septimo
Name: Sable Shamash
Collection: Gilgamesh
Profile: Full
Wrapper: Maduro
Length: 6 inches
Gauge: 50
Country: Costa Rica
Tobacco Age: 6 years
Pricing: (Box of 10) - $190
(per stick) - $20
First Impression:
This was the first cigar form the collection that I have reviewed. Knowing the quality of other cigars I had to assume this would also be the same quality. The cigar looks amazing with a maduro wrapper that is oily. A great aroma surrounds you as you prepare to make your cut. Another impressive cigar on first site.
Pre-Smoke Ritual:
I wanted to really take my time with this part which is becoming the new standard for El Septimo. When your talking ultra premium cigars you want to make sure everything is perfect. This cigar has an amazing aroma. One of the best scents I have ever smelled on a cigar. I used a punch for this particular cigar. I toasted the end of the cigar at a distance. No flame touched the actual cigar. I let the heat do all the work. It was a slow process, but well worth the time and effort. I did skip the cold draw for this one. I wanted to add the heat to get all the oils and flavors moving for the first draw.
Lighting, Draw, and Burn:
With a solid slow toast this cigar is gold. Very easy to light. The draw was a little tighter on this cigar than other El Septimo cigars I have smoked. It is still easy and pleasant though. The burn is slow and even. I have just come to expect this at this point.
Flavor:
The first third of this cigar has a great black pepper flavor that really lets you know it is there. You also have earthy tones mixed in which seem to go hand and hand very well. Subtle hints of leather are also roaming around in the background. As you start into the second third the pepper flavor goes from up front to background notes. As you move to the second third the leather picks up a bit as chocolate and espresso flavors take over. As you enter the final third all flavors remain the same with one exception. The pepper kicks back into high gear as a rival of the previously mentioned. It has such a pop at the end making you want another.
My Preference:
This cigar came ready to go on arrival. I did rest it a week in the humidor. I made my cut with a punch that is part of the El Septimo black and gold butane torch lighter. The source of fire was form the same.
Final Thoughts:
At this price range you are definitely getting a quality stick. The same quality goes into every cigar with attention to all the details. I did enjoy this cigar a great deal. This may not be for you if you are not a fan of the black pepper flavor, but I would still encourage you to give it a try. The overall flavor profile just works.
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