Cigar Reviews
Ezra Zion Cigar Company – Honor Series FHK
Ezra Zion Cigar Company is a company I had mixed feelings about when they first hit the scene. It wasn’t because of their cigars, but more because I wasn’t quite sure what their focus was in the industry. However, as I have become familiar with their sticks, the more impressed I am with the company and their cigars. Heck, their Tantrum made the #2 spot on my 2013 Top 10 List.
The Honor Series FHK was released as soon as the clock hit midnight on New Years Day, making it the first official release in 2014. House of Emilio’s website had this to say about the FHK, which seem to have come from Kyle Hoover, co-owner of Ezra Zion Cigar Company:
The name FHK stands for “Fathers of Hoover and Kelly”. Being history buffs we’ve researched our family heritage and were amazed at what we found: war heroes, ministers, statesman, and hardworking entrepreneurs. Chris had the idea to do a tribute to our forefathers who’ve made us who we are today. The idea seemed to click so we went with FHK as a cool way to pay homage to them.
FHK is the company’s most multi-national blend to date with a Mexican wrapper, Indonesian binder and fillers from Brazil and Nicaragua.
The Honor Series FHK is available in four vitolas: Inspired (5 ½ by 50), Truth (7 by 44), Stature (7 by 54), and Character (Belicoso 6 by 52). The Casas Fumando crew has reviewed a few of the other Ezra Zion cigars below:
The Facts
Samples Provided by House of Emilio
Price: $9.00
Vitola: Inspired
Size: 5 ½ by 50
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Brazilian and Nicaraguan
Drink: Water
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 15 Minutes
Pre-light
When I first pulled the FHK from the cellophane, I was greeted with deep, strong notes of earth and manure. With the cigar resting out of the cellophane for fifteen minutes, I find that the manure aroma is not nearly as strong but still present and there is some woodsy notes. There is some spice on the foot, along with a smell of fresh cut cedar.
The wrapper leaf is consistent in its milk chocolate color. Mainly small veins web across this solidly filled cigar. Upon clipping the triple cap, I find a near perfect draw that is showcasing cedar, cocoa, manure, and spice. The spice is already warming my mouth and leaving a tingle at the back of the throat.
First Third
Man, oh, man! This cigar is starting off unbelievable. First off, I am a huge fan of San Andres tobacco and this cigar is showcasing the leaf to its fullest. There has been a common complaint how San Andres tobacco can overshadow the rest of the blend. In this instance, it is really complimenting the blend. There is just the right amount of a syrupy, maybe caramel-like, sweetness that is rounding out the rest of the profile of spice, earth, and cedar. The ash is dark gray. The thick burn line is right on and the ash is firm.
Middle Third
As the cigar progresses, the smoke is becoming much richer. I could see a nice cup of java, or a number of libations, pairing extremely well with the cigar to counter the richness. The spice has stepped up a notch, leaving behind a nice warmth in my mouth. The richness seems to be tied to the cedar flavor, as well as a newly found cinnamon. With the the boldness of flavors, I am pleased to find a clean finish and with a small sip of water my palate is ready for another puff.
Final Third
In the final third, the black pepper has intensified, the sweetness is coming and going, and a dusty cocoa has joined the mix. The finish is now much longer with black coffee. As soon as I think the rich cedar is gone, it bounces right back in. The cigar is producing an excellent amount of smoke that is coating all areas of my mouth. The spice warmth, which is still felt in my mouth, is now causing a tingle on my lips. At the close of the Ezra Zion Honor Series FHK, the flavors are full and the strength is at the full end of medium.
Wrap-up
This cigar was an absolute treat! The flavors were bold, balanced, and quite complex. The performance was spot on with an even burn and firm ash. What more could you want in a cigar? All for a price under $10. I HIGHLY recommend the Ezra Zion Cigar Company Honor Series FHK. Being only two months into the year, I think I may have found a contender for my 2014 Top 10 List.
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