The Debonaire line of cigars from Phil Zanghi who was once Rocky Patel’s Partner has seen some considerable success and that success seems to be growing. At the 2014 IPCPR, he gifted The Cigar Authority with an A size cigar that was aging for a future release. As that release grows nearer, possibly at the 2015 IPCPR we decided to reach into the humidor, and pull out this monster of a cigar.
The name of the cigar has ties to the Freemasons, the 33rd Degree in that group is an honorary title given for long or exceptional service within the Mason. Walt Disney was not a Mason, but was once bestowed this honor.
Cigar: Debonaire Maduro
Size: 9 x 49 (“A” / 33rd Degree)
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
Strength: Medium-Full
Source: Phil Zanghi
The Look: I am a sucker for an “A” size cigar, they are one of my favorite cigar sizes to smoke because they aren’t all that easy to find as many cigar makers do not make them. The 33rd Degree is a beautiful looking specimen of the size. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is glistening with oils, and its almost perfect in appearance with the exception of a vein that stands out just above the band and beneath the cap. The gold band with texture looks stunning on the size with the horse-drawn buggy and the words in white of Ultra Premium and Debonaire. The cigar is well packed with no soft spots and a nicely packed foot.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Debonaire Maduro 33 Degree has notes that are citric in nature with the slightest hint of lemon zest while the aroma off of the foot was similar. One the cigar is lit there is a subtle spice and some sweetness develops within the first couple of puffs.
In the first third of this monster cigar there are notes of mocha, and citrus with a hit of pepper as we approach the first inch, and two more inched to go before the first third comes to a close. As the cigar progresses there is some added spice through the nose which is never overpowering and offers a nice addition to the cigar. There are some notes of black cherry that begin to make their way into the smoke with a slightly licorice finish.
The second third of the Debonaire 33 Degree develops nutty notes with some sweetness in the background though it is has considerably faded from the first third of the cigar. At the half way point of this cigar some of the sweetness returns with notes of mocha, however, some leather notes are introduced as well with a nutty finish
The last third of the cigar, sees the spice of the cigar turn it up a notch on both the palate and through the nose.
The Burn: The one thing I love from Debonaire can perhaps fit under “The Look”, however I’ll mention it here since I don’t take the band off until the last third of the cigar. That thing is the stamp of when the cigar was rolled, and this sample was rolled on June 25th, 2014. As for the cigar, it has a perfect draw, and a nice burn line. The light color ash held on for 2 to 3 inches at a time.
The Finish: To smoke a cigar of this size you have to be willing to make a commitment to it, and it makes it fairly easy to make that commitment once it is lit. The total smoking time for me was a little over 3.5 hours and I am a very slow smoker, so this was a cigar that took up my whole afternoon at work. While these cigars are not yet available, you can buy the Natural or Maduro version of the Debonaire at site sponsor Two Guys Smoke Shop. As for the 33 Degree, this 9 inch cigar changed up considerably over the duration of the smoke and it kept me interested from first light to last puff. Complex would be an understatement and when these come out, they are a must have.
Score: 93
Price: TBD
Debonaire 33 Degree Foot
Debonaire 33 Degree Burn
Debonaire 33 Degree Roll Date
