This month saw the release the of the Master Collection 3 from Room 101, and it is the last installment of the Master Collection series. The release features 105,000 cigars over 5 sizes. The cigars are packed in stylish white box with half the black Sakura logo that when set next to another box creates a larger who image of the cherry blossom.
According to Matt Booth at the announcement of the release, “As the mouth-watering taste of the third and final installment of our Master Collection cascades over your taste buds and crashes down on your palate like a 900 pound sack of flavor nails, i compel you to consider something. what elements can truly comprise the flavor of “The End”?
Cigar: Room 101 Master Collection 3
Size: 7 x 38 (Mutante/Lancero)
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
Source: Room 101
The Look: The white and black band that adorns the Room 101 Master Collection 3 is simple but classy with a high gloss finish. The Habano wrapper is a rich medium brown with some thin veins and a flawless roll with a pigtail cap. There is a slight void in the foot of the cigar, but no soft spots anywhere on the cigar that feels slightly above average in weight for the size.
The Notes: The cold draw of the cigar is reminiscent of barnyard (hay) and peanuts that are still in their shell. The foot of the cigar has a slight sweetness to it and continue to serve up some peanuts. On first light there is subtle pepper through the nose and a hint of leather.
Smoking our way into the first third of the Room 101 Master Collection there are vegetal notes along with some leather and the occasional coffee that becomes a coffee with cream as the cigar progresses further.
In the second third, the cigar remains consistent with the previous third however it becomes creamier especially on the finish which lingers slightly. Through the nose the pepper increases as does the awareness of the vegetal component. This isn’t a bad thing and is reminiscent of a raw carrot.
The final third of the cigar sees and increase in power, especially through the nose. The notes remain the same, which is fine by me as they were enjoyable, though some changes would have been welcomed.
The Burn: I was rather impressed with this lancero as I had no problems keeping it lit. A lot of times Lancero cigars need to be kept on top of as they have a tendency to need a relight. I was able to put this down for short periods of time and it remained lit all the way through. The light color ash didn’t hold well which is expected for a cigar of this size, and the draw was perfection.
The Finish: Room 101 is a bit of an enigma to me. When the brand first launched there was a definite buzz around it, and Matt Booth. Over the years, it seems as if the buzz has died substantially, though I can’t quite put my finger on it being a localized thing down in Miami where I was living, or a nationwide thing. The cigar was enjoyable, bold and modern. I look forward to reacquainting myself with the brand.
Score: 90
Price: $10.00
Room 101 Master Collection 3
Room 101 Master Collection 3 Foot
Room 101 Master Collection 3 Foot
