Today we’re going back to the Croatian Mafia Cigars line to sample another of their releases. If I didn’t mention it last time, they have 5 different blends of traditional cigars (along with some infused) and each blend is available only in a single size. The Under Boss was a quick candidate for best of the bunch for me simply based on its vitola: Corona Gorda at 5.625 x 46 ring gauge. They are made in Nicaragua using Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers, a Habano (no country stated) binder, and a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. They run about $13 apiece and are available only the company’s website as well as their retail partners (full list on the website).
The Habano wrapper was one of the lighter specimens that I’ve seen lately. It’s an interesting varietal in that I’ve seen ones almost as light as a Connecticut Shade as well as Oscuro or Maduro versions almost as dark as a San Andres Maduro. This was a few shade darker than a Shade leaf, so a tan color, smooth and a bit oily under my fingertips. The aroma from it was mildly sweet with touches of dried fruit and leather. The foot of the cigar was mostly earthy with a bit of cedar and hay in the mix.
After clipping the head, I found the draw a little tight, which does seem to be a common issue with these, although this one was loose enough to ensure a good smoke. I tasted notes of cedar and hay, along with a little pepper spice. Once lit, cedar notes definitely led the way, while it had an underlying earthy and spicy core, along with just a touch of sweet natural tobacco. I sipped some dessert-style bourbon along with the first third of this cigar and it definitely helped by adding another level of sweetness.
The Under Boss did get more interesting as it went along, with a bolder sweetness and increasing amount of pepper spice. What really helped, though, was pairing it with a beverage. The dessert-bourbons worked well in the first third and a Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye was a really nice accompaniment in the second. I used to only rate cigars on how they performed with just water, but this is definitely one that works best with the adult beverage of your choice.
