Vitola: Corona Gorda
Size: 5.5” x 48 ring gauge
MSRP $10.95
Samples provided by Sindicato Cigars
Background
Sindicato Cigars was created in 2013 by a rather large group of tobacconists (about 60 is what I remember hearing), with the intention of creating their own brands. They released Affinity, Casa Bella and Hex late the same year, but waited until 2014 to release their “flagship cigar,” the eponymously-named Sindicato. A couple weeks ago, I was sent a couple samples for review purposes. The press release that accompanied the cigars states:
Sindicato is a square-pressed Nicaraguan Puro crafted with a limited, shade-grown Corojo wrapper from Eduardo Fernandez in Jalapa, Nicaragua. This beautiful wrapper is grown under shade to insure the leaf’s consistent appearance. Master blender Arsenio Ramos has combined this unique wrapper with a rich, bold Estelí double leaf binder, which encompasses a blend of strong, flavorful Jalapa and Estelí leaves and delivers a medium-full strength cigar with exquisite taste.
The cigar is being made in six vitolas, ranging from $11 to $14 a stick. And in case you missed it in the above paragraph, it is made at the Casa Fernandez factory in Nicaragua.
Prelight
The band on the Sindicato is interesting, using gold foil on a black background, with a bit of reversed-out white type and ornamentation, as well. When combined with the way they used embossing, the “old west” font style and the unique die cut pattern, what it brings to my mind is “Las Vegas.” Specifically, something you might see sold at the Gold Nugget or other classic casino. Under the name of the cigar is says, “Sabor Evolucionado,” which according to Google Translate means “evolved taste” (you’ll have to decide for yourself how much you trust Google on anything).
The appearance of the wrapper, pigtailed cap, closed foot, and soft box-press is exquisite. Truly, this is a great looking stick. The wrapper leaf felt smooth and just mildly oily under my fingers. It had a sweet molasses-y smell that I associate more with Ecuadorian Habano than Nicaraguan Corojo. The color was light for a Corojo, too, but that’s probably owed to growing it under shade. It was an oaken shade of brown with a bit of red mixed in. The cold draw was excellent and tasted of cedar, oranges and earth.
Flavor
Lighting up the Sindicato, I was met by a strong cedar flavor, along with lesser notes of red pepper and earth and a finish that had a good amount of sweetness to it. The retrohale was very peppery with a bit of cedar. The remainder of the first third was dominated by the woody flavor, although the sweetness did resolve a bit to display as a faint orange citrus note, and it provided a decent counterbalance.
In the second third, the wood and citrus were joined by an increasing red pepper that made the whole profile click for me very quickly. It continued to be a pleasant smoke through the final third without much further change.
Construction
The draw was excellent. The ash was solid. The burn line was a little wavy but nothing out of the ordinary. All in all…solid construction values.
Value
Cost value was another thing, though. While I enjoyed this cigar, I found the price tag of $11 for this smallest size a bit high. Heading up to $14 for the largest stick seems hard to justify since there are many cigars with a similar flavor profile for less than $10 a stick.
Conclusions
The Sindicato is medium-to-full bodied and might appeal to you if cedar-heavy cigars are in your wheelhouse. For me, I like a bit of a different flavor profile; I like cedar, but not quite as much as I experienced in the first third. The second and final third of the cigar were much better for my palate. Still, I believe there are other comparable sticks out there for less money, which makes me wonder at the price tag on this one. As always, you’ll have to make the ultimate decision yourself.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 3.5/5
Value: .5/1
Total: 8/10
Wonderful. Love the comments related to value, thanks.
You’re welcome. I honestly wanted to love this cigar, but it just didn’t do it for me.
This may be in bad taste, but is it wrong to ask what those “better values” might be? Or is that question strictly for private conversation?
I had one or two in mind when I wrote this, but they’ve sort of slipped out of my brain since then. In trying to come up with other cedar-heavy sticks, one that does come to mind is the original My Father, although the price range on that is very close to the Sindicato. If I remember the ones I was thinking of at the time, I’ll get back to you.
The price is a departure from the other lines concept but I did like the Hex and will give this a try as well.
Is there a difference between box pressed and square pressed?
As Corey said, it could be a matter of pretty much the same thing…or at least the same end result. I was under the impression for a long time that “box pressed” means they were rolled round and then put into a box that when closed would press the cigars into that shape. That may be the case sometimes, but I think that would end up giving mostly very soft, rounded corners. I know that some cigars are actually shaped by wooden presses before being put into boxes…the LFD Double Press actually ships in the box it is pressed in. I should have asked someone at one of the factory tours I’ve been on…the issue just never came up. Next time…assuming there is a next time…
I think its more or less the same thing Patrick. But who knows
Agree with your comments on price. At $11-$14 range it makes it hard to pick up for an everyday smoke considering there are so many other cigars in the lower price ranges.