Crux Cigars – Passport (Prerelease)

At the beginning of April, Tony did something never before seen at Casas Fumando – three reviews in three days! During that three day stretch, Tony reviewed the Crux Nimfamaniac, Crux Nimfamaniac Dark, and Crux Skeeterz by Crux Cigar Company. All three received highly favorable reviews. The three cigars mentioned above were slated for an April release followed by a May release of three additional lines: Classic, Passport, and Bull & Bear. As I have been following Crux Cigars’ social media accounts, there seems to have been a small set back on their original releases. I am not sure at this time what impact this will have on their second round of releases.

After reading Tony’s reviews, I was a bit jealous that he had the privilege of doing the write-up for those cigars. However, he was kind enough of to pass off a few of the other samples he received from Crux Cigars including the Passport. According to Crux Cigars’ website, the Passport is still scheduled for a May 2014 release.  The Passport is produced at Nestor Plasencia’s factory in Esteli, Nicargua and will be available in three vitolas: Corona Gorda (5 ½ by 44), Toro (6 by 48), and Lancero (7 by 40).

The Facts

Samples Provided by Crux Cigars
Price: $6.99
Vitola: Lancero
Size: 7 by 40
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes
Drink: Water

Pre-light

The Passport sports a medium brown, oily Nicaraguan wrapper that feels smooth to the touch. Small to no larger than medium sized veins web across the leaf. While the Passport is my least favorite in terms of branding, the blue and white band is eye catching against the medium brown leaf. The wrapper aroma is strong with notes of rich cedar. A lot more of that rich cedar is found on the foot. I am expecting some spice in the cigar as I feel I tickle in my sinuses after checking out the foot aroma.

The cigar is packed evenly and fully. After a shallow cut through the neatly applied double cap, I find a very rich cold draw. Along with the cedar, the cold draw flavor is reminiscent of potpourri that is out around our home during the holidays with cinnamon and other common holiday spices.

First Third

The flavors are much fuller than expected and the cedar has more of an earthy tone than the richness from the pre-light inspection.  In the background of the profile, an acidic citrus is found. A medium amount of spice is felt on my tongue and back of the throat. As I push the smoke through my nasal passage, I am surprised at the smoothness of the retrohale. While the spice is not overpowering in the sinuses it did cause me to sneeze. A crazy thick burn-line is nice and even, forming a light grey ash that is firm for such a small ring gauge.

Middle Third

With the cigar heating up, the oils from the wrapper leaf begin to glisten in the sunlight. With each small draw, flavorful smoke fills my mouth. The flavors continue to pick up in their fullness, especially the cedar and earth, and the peppery spice is increasing at an equal rate. There is a unique flavors that is somewhat sweet. The closest thing that I can associate it to is honey. So far, the cigar is performing effortlessly.

Final Third

The flavors remain consistent with the second third with only a bit more richness. The honey sweetness can be spotted every few puffs. The smoke is cool and I am feeling no heat on my fingers at I begin to burn down to the final inch of the Passport. The burn-line not nearly as thick but now razor sharp. While the flavors remained full throughout, I am not perceiving any nicotine.

Wrap-up

Crux Cigar Company took a very ambitious approach with scheduling the release of six blends in two months. However, ambition does not always translate into good product. But that has not been the case with the Nimfamaniac, Nimfamaniac Dark, and Skeeterz reviewed by Tony, and it is certainly not the case with the Passport. While I did not find the Crux Passport overly complex, I never found myself bored with the cigar. The cedar, woodsy flavor held strong throughout, accompanied by more subtle citrus and honey notes. The Passport does not lack in the spice department either. I was very pleased with my two experiences with the Passport. There is finally a new company on the scene that I am excited to get fully behind. Crux Cigars is a company you will need to watch out for in 2014.