When the Camacho American Barrel Aged cigar came out I found myself smoking them on a regular basis. I put a few away to rest in my humidor with the intention of reviewing them but I kept putting it off instead choosing to enjoy the moment of a well-earned cigar. With the last of my cigars sitting in my personal humidor from the initial release it was time to post the review.
The Camacho website states, “Brace yourself for a cigar that shatters expectations. An intense smoke that sets the tone for a life without limits. Inspired by the uncompromising craftsmanship of Kentucky bourbon makers, our master builders have blazed new frontiers in complexity. Aging Camacho’s legendary Corojo leaves for six years and then locking them in charred bourbon barrels.”
Cigar Review: Camacho American Barrel Aged
Size: 5 x 50 (Robusto)
Wrapper: American Broadleaf
Binder: American Broadleaf
Filler: Pennsylvania Maduro, American Broadleaf, Barrel Aged Corojo
Strength: Medium
Source: Camacho
The Look: In 10 days we celebrate Halloween and the orange and black label make this one of the best cigars to celebrate the holiday with. After handing out candy to the trick and treaters I know I will pour myself a glass of bourbon and light up one of these cigars. The band also lets us know the Corojo tobacco is 6 years aged and spends 5 months in a barrel. The milk chocolate-colored wrapper is toothy with some visible veins and a nice amount of oils. In the hand the cigar firm with no soft spots and a well packed foot.
The Notes: The cold draw of the cigar is wonderfully complex with notes similar to the finish of bourbon. There is a touch of oak, molasses and a wisp of vanilla. The foot of the cigar serves up earthy notes with a touch of hay. The cigar is so enjoyable at this time I hesitate to light it.
Once the cigar is cut and toasted the initial light offers some oak notes right off the bat and a bit of caramelized sugar on the finish. The similarities on the finish between the American Barrel Aged from Camacho and that of a fine bourbon are uncanny. As the first third comes to a close some pepper notes are introduced especially through the nose where oak is the primary focal point.
The second third of the cigar sees the pepper notes experienced at the end of the first third balance out as a sweetness begins to develop along the lines of vanilla. There is continued notes of oak and a sweet sugar like finish on the cigar that is a bourbon lovers dream. The finish of the cigar is moderate in length and there is an added element of earth present.
The last third of continues with notes of vanilla, caramelized sugar and oak. The pepper notes experienced in the first third make their way back through the nose and on the finish. The bourbon like finish is more of an afterthought at this some, with a shorter finish in the last third.
The Burn: The Camacho American Barrel Aged is a cigar that is superbly constructed with a perfect draw and thin combustion line. The nearly white ash holds firm for more than a third at a time. The razor-sharp burn never needed to be touched up and the cigar remained lit from first light to last puff.
The Finish: We gave the pre-release a 92 rating, but now just 4 months later I think that deserves a bump. The American Barrel Aged from Camacho is smooth and it compliments bourbon to perfection. But what makes this truly a great cigar is the fact that it can be enjoyed without a beverage. Another strong release from Camacho and the perfect cigar to enjoy after a hard day of work.
Score: 93
Price: $10.19 / $179.99 @ Two Guys Smoke Shop
Bullet Points
- Going through the website I was shocked and embarrassed that I only reviewed this once as a pre-release.
- I love how the foot band of the cigar is tapered making it easier to remove.
- I love the new bands of Camacho; they were original in the age of copy-cats.
- The American Barrel Aged is made in the Dominican Republic and is the first regular production cigar from Camacho to be made outside of Honduras.
- I expected it to be the opposite, but I find the bourbon notes to be more “visible” now that the cigar has aged for 4 months.
- Smoking Time was 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Camacho American Barrel Aged
Camacho American Barrel Aged Foot
Camacho American Barrel Aged Burn
