One night I was checking out the Underground Cigar Group on Facebook and I noticed a post by Don Wiggins about a new boutique cigar company that he was going to carry at the Underground Cigar Shop and Lounge. The post immediately grabbed my full attention because I love to smoke boutique cigars. The presentation of the cigars from the post picture intrigued me. The cigars in the post were from the Black Label Trading Company. Let's be honest how could you not be interested in cigars with names like Salvation, Redemption, Lawless, and Last Rites. James Brown the owner of
Black Label Trading Company runs the philosophy of his company that less is more. Brown also has an attitude which is stated on the
BLTC web site which says "Our attitude re-thinks standards for cigar making, and caters to cigar lovers and aficionados tired of a mainstream, mass produced approach to cigar making." In today's special review I am going to review the Redemption from BLTC and see if this cigar lives up to the attitude and philosophy from BLTC. I almost forgot since today is a special review, and a first time for 2 Cigar Guys and a Humidor. Danny Smith special guest reviewer from the Underground Cigar Group will be providing a review on the BLTC Last Rites.
Cigar: BLTC Redemption
Size: 6 X 60 Box Press
Wrapper: Aged Nicaraguan Maduro
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
By: Ryan Bloomer
Appearance/Band:
The BLTC Redemption Box Press is a Nicaraguan puro with a dark chocolate maduro wrapper that smells as good as it looks. The pre-lit aroma smells of cocoa, coffee, and hazel nut. The wrapper is very smooth and the construction of the box press is phenomenal. The band art work and script just screams bad ass!
The Beginning:
Well as I always say lets toast this cigar and get started. The first few draws were very smooth with minimal smoke output. The burn is razor sharp and the ash flawless. I can taste strong hints, of sweet tobacco, cocoa, cinnamon, and a slight touch of cedar. The hints of cocoa and cinnamon are not over powering at all on my palate, and seem to blend well with the sweet tobacco taste. The cigar continues to burn razor sharp with no touch ups needed.
The Middle:
I have reached the middle third of the cigar and I feel like I am on auto pilot. This cigar requires no work or touch ups, its just allowing me to relax and enjoy the experience. The hints of cocoa, cinnamon, and sweet tobacco are all still present on my palate. The slight hint of cedar has disappeared and given away to a touch of white pepper. The hint of white pepper is in no way over powering, but instead blends well with the other notes. The ash and construction continues to hold up well.
The End:
I have now entered the final third of the cigar. I am still in auto pilot mode enjoying this great boutique cigar. The cigar continues to be a dessert bomb. The hints from the middle third of the cigar are all still very present here in the final third. The burn is still razor sharp with the wrapper and construction holding strong down to the finish. The redemption is a consistent dessert bomb to say the least. With only a thousand boxes released James Brown has held true to his philosophy of less is more. The quality and taste of the redemption is outstanding. This cigar is a must buy with an overall rating of 9.7 out of 10 on the 2 Cigar Guys and A Humidor scale. I would like to thank James Brown and Stephanie Harris for providing the cigars for the review.
Guest Review
By: Danny Smith
BLTC - Last Rites
Cigar: Black Label Trading Co.- Last Rites (Box
Pressed)
Wrapper: Aged
Ecuadorian Maduro
Filler:
Nicaragua & Honduras
Retail Price:
Around $12.00 - $14.00
First thing I notice about this
cigar is the bands. BLTC did an awesome
job with the bands on these things...they just scream badass! Alright, on to the cigar. The appearance is quite nice. The wrapper is a dark chocolate brown and is
firm to the touch...not spongey at all and it smells the way a cigar
should. I cut this beauty with the
trusty xikar and toasted it up with a xikar as well. The cigar lit easily and the initial draws
leave a bit of spice on the tongue. I
can already sense that this is going to pair great with this Rowan’s Creek
bourbon. Lord knows this Kentucky boy
needs a great bourbon to go with his cigar.
The first third of this cigar tastes
of spice, earth, and some cocoa as a background flavor. The cigar is burning beautifully through this
portion. The ash being a light gray,
almost white and is holding on strong.
At this point the cigar is very smooth...draw is a little tight for my
liking bordering on the tight side of medium and the smoke production is a
little lower than I would like. Lets see
if that changes...
As I get into the second third and
approaching the half way point of this cigar the draw remains a bit tight but
smoke production has definitely picked up!
The spice is kind of lingering on the back of my tongue but the flavor
is now predominantly of earth and cocoa....which just happens to be right in my
wheelhouse.
The flavor remains very earthy with
hints of cocoa as the spice fades. Burn
continues to be spot on (no touch ups required throughout the smoke) and the
smoke production remains good to the finish.
The cigar never became bitter or harsh at all. It was enjoyable all the way through (as
evidenced by the fact that I smoked it until my fingers began to burn) and I
would certainly smoke it again.
I really enjoyed this cigar from
start to finish. The cigar burnt great,
smelled wonderful, and tasted delicious (not to mention the cool factor those
bands add). Pretty good combination if
you ask me. On the downside....the draw
was a little tight but nothing that was any real annoyance and of course
price. These babies come in at a price
that is a little more than some may want to spend, especially for a cigar from
a new company. That being said, I will
certainly pick up a few more to throw in the humidor. I would definitely recommend giving the BLTC
Last Rites a try!
Cigar: Core Zero Metal / CZ Cigars
The band is silver metallic, red, black, and showcases the name of the company Core Zero. The cigar also has a foot band which identifies what blend you are smoking either the Indie or Metal. The band also has a outline of a shiny silver metallic badge in the center which identifies the law enforcement roots of the company. The wrapper of the Metal is a Nicaraguan Habano Maduro. The wrapper is dark brown with medium size veins, and has a semi oily feel to it. The Metal has a light pre lit aroma of leather, with a hint of cedar.
Well as I always say lets toast this cigar up and get started. The first few draws seem very light with hints of leather, cloves, and a touch of cedar. The smoke output is a lot heavier than I thought and the cigar is burning well. The ash is dark and seems to be holding well. I would say this cigar is very light for a maduro. I would classify it as a medium body at the end of the first third.
I have reached the final third of the Metal. The hints of cedar and leather have taken over my palate again. The pepper taste is very dull at this point and the delightful hints of butter pecan have disappeared. The construction has continued to be flawless though the entire smoke. 
The metal is definitely a medium body cigar that would be a great Maduro for the beginner smoker. If you like a cigar with leather,cedar,pepper, and hints of butter pecan for dessert than you will enjoy the Core Zero Metal. The cigar had great construction and quality for the price. It's time to rank this cigar on the 2 Cigar Guys And A Humidor Scale. I have gave the Core Zero Metal a score of 8.1 out of 10. I would like to thank Bryan for sending a sampler to me for the review. Check out there website at CZ Cigars.
