Four years ago, Quesada launched the first Oktoberfest cigar which has become an annual release. This year, the brand gets a make over with a new band and a special Salomon Press for events which are now underway around the country. The cigars are meant to be paired with Märzen style beer which believe it or not does change the perception of the nuances the cigar has to offer. However, you can smoke them without the pairing as well.
Cigar: Quesada Oktoberfest
Size: Das Boot (6 x 52/Toro)
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium-Full
The Look: The first thing I notice is the newly defined band, which has more of a Märzen style feel to it. The wrapper is dark and grown in the Ciabo Valley of the Dominican Republic The wrapper seems darker than in years past and has some tooth to it with a network of fine veins. The cigar is firm with a well packed foot and no soft spots. There is a nice weight to the Oktoberfest.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Quesada Oktoberfest is sweet and nutty. The foot of the cigar is warm and inviting to the nose with some more nuttiness. Once the cigar is lit, there is a very subtle spice and what reminds me of marzipan before giving way to notes of wood.
As we smoke further into the first third of the cigar, the notes of wood become distinct and up front and the only distinct note until the first third begins to come to a close when the marzipan returns with a touch of cinnamon.
Entering the second third of the Oktoberfest, I reminded of sourdough pretzels with Marzipan taking a back seat before fading away. At the halfway point the cigar begins to take on wood notes that dominated in the first third and once again takes over.
The final third of the Oktoberfest becomes more balanced than prior two-thirds. The marzipan, sourdough pretzels and wood all come together bringing the cigar to a very complex close with a short finish.
The Burn: As evidenced by the picture below, the first third of the cigar had a weird burn going on, where I needed to touch up the cigar, while the cigar never burned perfect, but it only needed the one touch up. The draw was perfect and the light to medium color ash held on for an inch plus at a time.
The Finish: While not as good as the original release of the Oktoberfest this years release is better than last years and nothing says its fall like the release of the Oktoberfest. For a Dominican Puro I would still reach for a Davidoff Puro d’Oro anytime. This one might lack the complexity I like in the first two-thirds of the smoke but it was enjoyable.
Score: 88
Price: $8.50
Oktoberfest by Quesada
Oktoberfest by Quesada Foot
Oktoberfest by Quesada Burn
