How many brand owners in the cigar industry can brag that they graduated from Harvard? The answer is at least one, Jason Holly owner of Viva Republica. The Ivy league graduate unveiled one of his newest cigars at the 2015 IPCPR and today we will look at the Advanced Warfare.
Available in two sizes that traditionally don’t do well at cigar shops; Petit (4 x41) and Corona (5.25 x 43).
Cigar Review: Viva Republica Advanced Warfare
Size: 5.25 x 43 (Corona)
Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican Republic, Pennsylvania
Strength: Medium-Full
Source: Miami Cigar & Company (Distributor of Viva Republica)
The Look (8 / 10): A veiny looking cigar with some brindle effects, the wrapper has a somewhat rustic appearance. In the hand the cigar is firm with no soft spots. The Viva Republica logo of a raised fist gets the yellow treatment opposed to the usual green.
The Notes (27 / 30): The cold draw of the Advanced Warfare has a slight pepper spice to it with a hint of wood and an abundance of floral notes while the aroma off of the foot reminded me of being at the La Aurora factory. While I am sure most don’t know what I mean I guess the best way to sum it up is the aroma of tobacco utilized at the factory.
Once the cigar is lit there are notes of wood, with pepper especially through the nose of the cigar and some caramel like sweetness on the finish.
In the second third of the Advanced Warfare by Viva Republica the cigar continues to serve up notes of wood, with really pleasing floral aroma. The notes are joined by elements of leather and dried fruit with the later becoming the focal point as the second third comes to a close.
The last third mellows out some though the nicotine levels feel pretty high. The dried fruit quickly fades away at the start of the last third and the pepper notes remain through the nose. However, a new note arrives on the scene in the form of cinnamon with a very spicy finish especially on the lips.
The Burn (21/25): The combustion line on the Viva Republic with a thick burn line and discoloration right above it which didn’t show up as well on the picture as it did to the naked eye. Thankfully this is just aesthetics, although it does effect the score slightly. While jagged the cigar never needed to be touched up and the flaky marble like ash dropped in half-inch increments. The draw was perfect as was the smoke production.
The Finish (16/20): While I enjoyed the flavor profile the cigar seemed to lack balance with peeks and valleys on the flavors and changes in the strength. Overall, it’s a fairly enjoyable cigar that should satisfy those who like strength in their smokes. For me though, the cigar fell a little bit short however, I invite you to form your own opinion of the cigar.
Score: 87
Price: $6.00
Bullet Points
- I love the Viva Republica logo but a few of my retired cop friends in NYC don’t like the raised fist as it is synonymous with the Black Panthers who targetted what was referred to as “Salt & Pepper” teams in the 70s. One of the infamous slayings of the interracial partner duos had the Panthers making a cop beg for his life before killing him.
- One of the Black Panthers, Assata Shakura is currently living in Cuba where she fled after being the subject of a nationwide manhunt for her role in the murder of a New Jersey State Trooper. She is currently on the FBI Most Wanted List with a $2 million dollar reward for assistance in her capture.
- Staying on the logo, I love the changing of the colors keeping the bands similar to the Guerrilla Warfare but with enough change to make Advanced Warfare stand out.
- Despite not being popular in many brick & mortars I love thin ring gauge cigars.
- Samples were provided to The Cigar Authority were provided by Miami Cigar & Company who advertises on The Cigar Authority.
- Smoking Time was 1 hour 40 minutes.
- I paired the cigar with water.
Viva Republica Advanced Warfare
Viva Republica Advanced Warfare Foot
Viva Republica Advanced Warfare Burn
