It was reported that Robert Wright left CLE a few months ago to focus on his brand which is still made at the same factory that produces CLE and Asylum. The Pura Soul is aptly named due to the saxophone playing prowess of the brand owner and the boxes also reflect that with a gold silhouette of a musician playing the aforementioned sax.
The latest blend is the Pura Soul Honduras which is a Honduran puro from the Jamastran.
Cigar: Pura Soul Honduras
Size: 6 x 54 (Toro)
Wrapper: Honduras
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
Strength: Medium-Full
Source: Robert Wright
The Look: The green and gold band that adorns the Pura Soul is simplistic. The center logo is a version of a treble cleff and below is lines that remind me of inverted military enlisted ranks. The cigar itself has a few visible veins on an evenly colored wrapper that is coarse to the touch. It is rolled to perfection with an average weight. It is rolled to perfection with a well packed foot as well.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Pura Soul Honduras is very earthy with a slight sweetness to it that is reminiscent of tree sap while the nose of the foot has a heavier sweetness that is inviting.
The initial light of the Pura Soul reminds me of cream soda that quickly fades reveal earth, spice and red pepper through the nose. Smoking our way into the first third of the Pura Soul the cigar begins to tone down a notch and some nice complexities begin to develop with almond and a return of cream.
The second third of the Honduran Puro; Pura Soul continues with notes of a almonds and a creaminess. The crushed red pepper notes have subsided and as the ash falls off on its own at the halfway point the cigar begins to develop some of the spice through the nose once again. The finish begins to develop a note that reminds me of warm bread right out of the oven.
As we enter the last third of the Pura Soul Honduran Puro the cigar begins to take on a meaty note that is almost steak like. Not quite Filet Mignon but more like a Porterhouse. As the hearty steak notes begin to fade there is a returning sweetness from the cold draw that closes out the cigar with a short finish.
The Burn: The Pura Soul is yet another example of a cigar that is perfectly constructed. The strong medium color ash help for half the cigar before falling off on it’s on into the ashtray. The draw was perfect with a slight resistance that is my personal choice of how a cigar should be rolled. The burn line was straight and crisp and it stayed lit all the way through the experience with no touch up needed.
The Finish: We reviewed the Pura Soul Nicaragua back during IPCPR week where it scored a 90, and I can safely say despite not being the biggest fan of Honduran tobacco that the Pura Soul Honduras stands out above that cigar considerably. The complexity and distinct notes make this a great cigar that can be compared to the smooth sounds of jazz.
Score: 92
Price: $8.39 / $147.99
Pura Soul
Pura Soul Foot
Pura Soul Burn
