Website Description –
Benji Menendez is a true a legend whose storied career in the premium cigar business spans more than 50 years. The 2009 limited release of his namesake Master Series earned the cigar a spot in Cigar Aficionado’s coveted Top 25 cigars of the year and depleted the supply from tobacconists’ humidors. In honor of the industry’s most beloved cigar master, General Cigar proudly presents a one-time issuance of the “Toro” front mark, protected in a handsome “book” box to add to the discerning cigar smoker’s collection.
– Small Batch Cigar
Bought from – Small Batch Cigar
Information:
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: USA (Connecticut Havana Seed)
Filler: Dominican Republic (Piloto Cubano), Nicaragua (Ometepe)
Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: General Cigar Dominicana
Aging (if any):
Single (MSRP): $13.33
Box (MSRP): $160
Availability: Limited Release
Size: 6 x 54
Band/Packaging:
Love the idea of designing the box to mimic a book, has an authentic feel to it as the cover gives off a leathery look. Band is classic Partagas USA with the extension highlighting the blend for Benji Menendez.
Wrapper:
Rustic brown, veiny
Construction:
Firm with a little bit of give
THE REVIEW
Cold draw:
Cedar, nutty
First third:
Nutmeg, baking spices, cedar, cherry finish, nutty, sunflower seed
Retro:
Cherry, baking spices
Second third:
Sugar cane, woody, butterscotch, creamy, strong cherry finish
Burn:
Excellent
Smoke:
Large wispy plumes
Final third:
Cherry, chocolate, espresso, licorice, caramel
Retro:
Cherry, chocolate, espresso,
Duration:
1 hour 55 minutes
Conclusion:
I was unsure what to expect with this cigar. First off, it’s 13 years old. I have no clue if over those 13 years it’s been humidified properly (I would assume as Small Batch Cigars do an excellent job), and with so much time aging, would the flavors be prominent or dulled out. This cigar exceeded my expectations. From light the smoothness of the blend highlighted the age. The consistent cherry note, baking spices, and nuttiness highlighted the first third, and the transition to a creamy butterscotch and woody second third was a nice switch up. As the cigar burned through its thirds the cherry finish picked up and came to the forefront in the final third, along with a nice chocolate and espresso. Lots of flavors to enjoy in this one. I will say, the nicotine strength is there, and while I should have expected it with a Cameroon wrapper, it caught me off guard a bit. I was fortunate enough to snag a box before they sold out, but if you can find a single, 5 pack, or box collecting dust out there, do yourself a favor and give it a try. Overall score of 95.
Result: 95
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