Rook Cigar from Blackbird Cigar Co.

Wrapper • Ecuadorian Sumatra. Binder • Habano. Filler • Nicaraguan & Dominican. 

6×54 Toro. Strength mild to medium.

This 6×54 toro comes from Jonas Santana’s brand, Blackbird Cigar Company. The Rook cigar uses a textured, veiny Sumatra wrapper from Ecuador, a Habano binder, and fillers from the DR and Nicaragua. At a glance, the striking royal blue band grabs the eye, the tobacco soon follows. Blackbird Cigar Co. is known for complexity, richness, and flavor, and this Rook is found somewhere in the mild to medium strength level. If you are a fan of Sumatra tobacco, if you are a fan of sweet, creamy, almost vanilla silkiness, the Rook cigar might be the direction you would like to take.

At first light up there are small, I say very small, hints of pepper, a little earth, perhaps hayish tendencies, with natural sweetness and cream. That cream continues and turns to more of a vanilla. In the 2nd third the pepper dies off, and the earth almost appears to take its place. More of that cream (Which suggests maybe pairing with coffee? Or bourbon?). The strength mellows slightly, and a nutty component comes forward. I am impressed with the smoothness on the palate, smoke output (Which is considerable), and burn. This cigar’s burn is razor-sharp, which adds a significant plus to the construction of Blackbird cigars.

In closing, the strength remained at an even medium, the outstanding flavors I noted were cream, vanilla, nuttiness, earth, wood, and something herbal? The burn and draw were on point. I would most likely pair it with a creamed coffee.

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