Gunslinger was created working with the likes of A.J. Fernandez. Kendall Culbertson set out to craft a medium to full body cigar with a profile of complexity and depth, this journey took over a year to create from start to finish. Kendall wanted to work with Habano 2000 seed to get a unique twist adding in Sumatra as binder with Nicaraguan and Honduran filler leaves. After many trips and taste testing over several months the Gunslinger Drifter was ready for release.
Cigar: Gunslinger Drifter
Size: 5 x 50 (Robusto)
Wrapper: Habano 2000
Binder: Nicaragua Sumatra
Filler: Honduras and Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
Source: Two Guys Smoke Shop
The Look: The Gunslinger Drifter is a box pressed stick with a dual band presentation. The primary band features the Gunslinger logo in black and white with a hint of bronze. The secondary band utilizes the same color scheme and denotes drifter. The color of the wrapper reminds me of a paper bag and there is quite a few thin veins present. In the hand the cigar feels light with no soft spots and a well packed foot which shows some darker tobacco to the eye.
The Notes: The nose of the Gunslinger Drifter has some spice to it but there’s also an almond extract type of aroma to it. Once the cap is clipped the cold draw is earthy with some nuttiness to it as well and mocha like sweetness as an afterthought.
As the cigar is lit there is a subtle spice over some nuts that remind me of almonds, specifically a cookie that features almond extract and an earthy finish on the first third.
In the second third of the Drifter the ash drops and the cigar begins to develop some complexity. Normally you want to keep the ash on to keep the cigar cool, but with this cigar the warmer tobacco changes the cigar for the better in my opinion. There is some nuttiness, but there is also some mocha and spice.
In the last third of the Gunslinger Drifter there are some coffee notes that border on strong espresso. The nuttiness remains as a focal point, but the definition of almonds has fade away. The short finish has notice of coffee with some spice through the nose that reminds me of cinnamon.
The Burn: A box pressed cigar can be a nightmare on the burn if not properly constructed. This cigar is as well constructed as some of the top box pressed smokes in the business. The light color ash is solid and hold for each third of the cigar with minimal flake. The burn line could be a little bit crisper but it burns true and even never needing a relight or touch up.
The Finish: The Gunslinger Drifter is a cigar with wonderful complexity when the ash is kept short. When the ash remains and the cigar burns cool it is a tad smoother though the notes aren’t as pronounced. Well defined notes of almonds, coffee and a touch of mocha with a short finish this is a cigar that caught me off guard. Definitely enjoyable and worthy of a box purchase.
Score: 92
Price: $7.19 each / $151.99 box of 24
Gunslinger Drifter
Gunslinger Drifter Foot
Gunslinger Drifter Burn
