Virtuola cigar newspaper ads can be found dating at least as far back as 1921. Over a century later, remnants of the defunct brand are still being uncovered. Inspired by these discoveries and a time long gone, a new cigar has been created. The band on each new Virtuola cigar is 100 years old, as is the vintage label serving as the art inside the box.
– Cigar Public
Bought from – Principle Cigars
Information:
Wrapper: USA Connecticut
Binder: Zimbabwe
Filler: Dominican Republic, USA
Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Kelner Boutique Factory
Aging (if any): 1 year post purchase
Single (MSRP): $18
Box (MSRP): $180
Availability: Limited to 74 boxes available at Principle.com
Size:
6 x 46
Band/Packaging:
As Vintage as Vintage gets! Both the box and the band showcase the vintage logo taking me to an era well before my time, where cigars were just 5 cents. Very cool idea to reuse these antique bands.
Wrapper:
Light brown, a little rough looking, but smooth to the touch
Construction:
Well packed, no soft nor overly firm spots
Cold draw:
Cedar
First third:
Cedar, Umami, Pepper, Sweetness
Retro:
Sweet cedar
Second third:
Sweet cedar, umami, bready, milk chocolate, saltiness, prosciutto, baking spices
Burn:
Razor sharp
Smoke:
Wispy clouds
Final third:
Cedar, baking spices, bready, licorice, dark chocolate
Retro:
Cedar, bready
Duration:
1 hour 14 minutes
Conclusion:
On first light I get a smooth cedar note up front, really the only note at the start. Shortly after umami and pepper notes kick in, and are finished with a subtle sweetness on the backend. Very pleasant flavor right off the bat. On the retro I mainly get a sweet cedar note, very nice and smooth. As the first third finishes up, a unique note I can’t quite pinpoint joins. I’ve noticed this note in other Principle cigars, mainly with Zimbabwe tobacco, that makes me think this could be due to that, however thai blend has Zimbabwe as the binder, so I would think that note might be consistent throughout. Anyway on to the second third. The sweet cedar is again the main focus, however a bready note and slight milk chocolate has joined. The umami note has become much more subtle and the pepper is no longer apparent. The burn line on this is absolutely incredible. Might be the best burn on a cigar I’ve ever smoked. Coming onto the halfway mark, a salty note joins in. That mixed with the umami note almost gives me thoughts of prosciutto.. Odd yet tasty. As the second third comes to an end, the prosciutto note leaves and is short lived, but baking spices have joined in. Final third continues with cedar, baking spices, and a bready note, as well as some added nutmeg. The wrapper starts to crack with about an inch and a half remaining, but so far it does not affect the draw. Just after the crack the profile changes, and a licorice and dark chocolate note step right up to the forefront. I am not one for licorice typically, but here the chocolate compliments it well, almost blending into a dark fruit chocolate note. Love the change up to finish off the cigar. Overall, this was a rather lighter blend with some nice flavor notes that paired well together throughout. The change at the end was a pleasant surprise to give this blend a 95 overall and if you can, grab what few boxes are left on Principle’s website.
Result: 95
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