A cattle producer and a cigar maker walk into a bar. It’s not a joke, but it could be how a new cigar was formed. Bryan Mussard who is well-known in the cattle industry hails from the cigar hotbed of America – Dillon, Montana. He also produces a potato based Vodka named Gorgeous which is said to pair well with cigars.
The cigar is entering the market with some help from Phil Zanghi known for Debonaire and Indian Motorcycle and will officially be launched at the 2016 IPCPR next month.
Cigar Review: Cattle Baron
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: De Los Reyes
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Vitola: Robusto (Stockyard)
Body: Medium
The Look: The Cattle Baron comes packaged in wooden cabinet boxes that have a branded and Old West feel to them. Inside the cigars are packaged in cello with four rows of five cigars. The Cattle Baron features a toothy wrapper that has some significant veins. In the hands it feels like silk with an abundance of oils visible. It also feels light although the foot is well packed.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Cattle Baron Stockyard has a sweetness of cherry to it, and there is a note that reminds me of dry earth. The foot of the cigar mimics the earth experienced on the cold draw.
Once the cigar is toasted there is a subtle spice and leather note that is dominant. At the risk of sounding cliche there is an almost rawhide like component. As the cigar moves past the first inch some mocha begins to appear but make no bones about it, this cigar is heavy on the leather notes.
In the second third with the ash still attached the cigar becomes noticeably sweeter. Some of the cherry from the cold draw makes it on to the palate with elements of mocha and wood. At the half way point I decide to roll the ash off the cigar to avoid it falling into my lap. After doing so, the cigar begins to transition back to notes of leather with a peppery finish that is especially noticeable on the retrohale.
On the final third, a caramel like sweetness begins to develop as the notes of white pepper intensify on the aroma and the retrohale. As the cigar moves past the band some notes of peppermint join the mix as the cigar closes out with a long enjoyable finish.
The Burn: Despite what felt like a thick wrapper, the Habano wrapper burned even throughout with a thin combustion line. The medium gray ash had some dark pinstripes in the area of the veins which created an interesting visual effect on this slow burning cigar with a perfect draw. The Cattle Baron remain lit from first like to last puff.
The Finish: I love the logo, and the artwork of the brand and while that means little to the cigar, I am happy to report it too was enjoyable. It’s something I would seek out again, and I am curious to try it in some of the other sizes in the near future.
Score: 90
Price: $6.75
Cattle Baron
Cattle Baron Foot
Cattle Baron Burn
