Coffee flavored cigars are literally a dime a dozen. The market of today is flooded with options. There is one that stands high above the rest without fail. Tabak Especial Dulce is at the very top of the list when it comes to making the coffee blend and we are very happy that they continue to do so.
Stats:
Profile: Medium
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade
Shape: Robusto
Length: 5 inches
Gauge: 54
Country: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Pricing: (Box of 24) - $179.04
(per stick) - $7.46
First Impression:
When the cigar claims to be coffee infused I always get excited. I am a fan of coffee with or without cigars. I am probably a little over critical in this area because of it. I have always had great luck with Drew Estate cigars so along with being critical I have extremely high expectations. One thing that I immediately noticed and appreciate was the very strong smell of the cigar. Coffee and chocolate fill your nostrils and I love it.
Pre-Smoke Ritual:
I sipped my regular nose on the cigar to smell step. You can smell the aroma from a distance and it is a beautiful thing. I made my cut with a Xikar Pappy Van Winkle guillotine cutter. I took my cold draw and was in heaven. Chocolate, coffee, molasses, and a strong sweetness were all accounted for and present. The toast was to follow.
Lighting, Draw, and Burn:
This cigar was on the softer side of perfect. The lighting was very easy. Following a solid toast I could have taken the first draw with no extra fire. I kept the flame going but at a distance and we were off to the races. Not only was it a very easy light it stayed burning throughout. The draw was very simple. As I stated the cigar itself felt on the softer side, but the draw was on the tighter side. It was a very unique experience actually. This cigar put off a great amount of sweet smoke that filled the air with a pleasant and welcoming scent. The burn was nearly flawless and stayed even.
Flavor:
My normal review style is do go over the cigar in thirds. I do not have to do that with this one though. The cigar stayed very consistent and true throughout with a few change which I will note. From beginning to end you can taste a strong coffee infused with the tobacco. Pairing with the coffee was a creamy dark chocolate taste with sweet molasses. The only notable changes that I noticed was in the middle of the cigar. The sweet seemed to die down just a a bit, but remained very noticeable. Coffee and chocolate stayed the course the entire way. In the final third there were a few draws that had a bitterness to it. The bitterness did somehow seem to compliment the flavors before it disappeared. Another very enjoyable part was how the creamy stayed in the front of the flavors, but not overpowering the chocolate or coffee.
My Preference:
One week of rest int he humidor was perfect. I made my cut with an Xikar Pappy Van Winkle guillotine cutter. The fire source was none other than a brass classic Zippo with a duel flame butane insert.
Final Thoughts:
Do yourself a favor and just grab a few of these. If you are a fan off flavored cigars this is a winner. If you are a fan or coffee flavored cigars you will try this and always have a few on hand. I even enhanced my smoke by pairing it with a perfectly brewed cup of espresso. This is one of if not my top coffee flavored dessert cigar.