I don’t always know what I’m going to pair with my cigar but I can tell you that 9 times out of 10 it most certainly will have a backdrop of jazz. It no coincidence that today I’m having the Emperor Cut’s Jazz series cigar. Continuing my partnership with @blackownedsmoke , we’re highlighting this boutique brand that releasing some great cigars with tobacco blends. Now for their Jazz series, @emperorscutcigars worked with the master blenders down at @laauroracigarus and aimed to bring an offering that would be appreciated by smokers of all levels. Just like the perfect jazz band, this cigar has a melody of tobaccos from Ecuador (wrapper and binder), Dominican, Nicaragua, and Peru (fillers). Each VITOLA is named after a Jazz legend and this is their Trane (Coltran) Grand Robusto.
The cigar has a natural brown polished outer leaf with a vivid contrasting red band. The appearance is clean and not too flashy with the overall look. Just like its smooth looks, the flavors in the first portion are easy and very approachable. Flavors of cream and chocolate are the introductory notes that later on blends with nutmeg and cocoa powder. There is little to no pepper or spice at the moment. However, there’s enough flavor here to keep me interested.
There are some significant transitions here in this second 3rd. The flavors become more robust introducing cedar and more woodier notes. The creamy chocolate has darkened to what’s more like bittersweet chocolate. The nutmeg is still here adding to that woodiness. There’s also a bit of black pepper being revealed here. I have a v-cut here and getting great ventilation.
Like having all 3 parts of a choir, I’m now hearing from the tenors. Here’s where you pick up the deeper notes. The pepper is more pronounced. I’m also now getting earth and mineral with the pepper. The bittersweet chocolate is playing in the background as the other notes headlines for the duration of the cigar. The Trane has distinct transitions but each one is very pleasant. It’s pairing excellently with the @kahawa1893 Congolese coffee. Grab both the cigar and and the coffee when you get a chance.
