The newest rendition of Black Label Trading’s Bishop Blend is finally arriving! Introducing the Bishops Blend Novemdiales. The name refers to the official mourning period of nine days, called the Novemdiales. It is a Latin phrase from the root novem nine and dies days. It begins when the Pope dies. The day of death is counted as the first day of this period. This holds to the theme that Bishops Blend plays off of. Bishops Blend 2023 is the last limited run from Black Label released this year. Much like the original blend, this rendition features three sizes and a very dark appearance. However, this is not the same Bishop’s Blend from previous releases. James Brown has tweaked a few things and given the beloved release a new face.
“Bishops Blend has been one of our most popular and sought-after releases.” Says James Brown, creator of Black Label Trading Co. and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra. “This year, to help celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Black Label Trading Co., we felt compelled to create a special edition. The Bishops Blend Novemdiales is an amped-up version of the traditional Bishop. We tweaked the blend a bit and went with a Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper instead of the traditional Ecuador Habano Maduro. The Novemdiales will be available in vitolas not seen before in the Bishops Blend lineage. The result is a very rich, earthy, and intricate fusion of dark fruits, layers of spice, and a stout star anise finish. Those that have grown to love this release will still recognize the distinctive flavors of the past with a fresh, nuanced perspective.”
Novemdiales is handcrafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua, and is available in a 4.5×46 Petite Corona, 5×50 Robusto, and a 6×48 Toro. It features a Pennsylvanian Broadleaf Wrapper over an Ecuadorian Habano Binder and fillers of Nicaragua, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut Broadleaf. Much like the original, the cigar cap is somewhat tapered, or ‘pointed’ if you will, adding a touch of BLTC flare. The new label is all black with silver accents. This new blend and new sizes bring a lot of excitement to all Black Label Trading Company and Black Works Studio fans, myself being one of them!