Originally slated to come in a cereal box, the innovative packaging could have been a nightmare for the cigar industry if it ws released that way. Thankfully the packaging was changed and the cigars saw their release in late 2014. The cigar is a tribute to Matt Booth’s, Uncle Lee who introduced him to cigars. Needless to say, the rest is history, however, is the cigar a worthy tribute?
Cigar: Room 101 Uncle Lee
Size: 6.5 x 30 x 50 x 19 (Perfecto)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Corojo
Filler: Dominican Piloto Ligero & Honduran Corojo
Strength: Medium
Source: Room 101/Camacho Cigars
The Look: Wrapped in a paper sleeve with a caricature of Uncle Lee, the cigar has a tissue paper around it. The band of black and silver also features the likeness of Matt Booth and the aforementioned Uncle Lee. The chocolate-brown color wrapper has a slightly porous roll and feels a tad lumpy under the hand. There are a few soft spots but the cigar itself feels above average in weight.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Uncle Lee tastes like the marshmallows from Lucky Stars with a slightly earthy component. The foot of the cigar has a berry like nose to it like freshly picked blueberries, something I have actually done now that I live in the state of New Hampshire.
Once the cigar is lit notes of cedar and leather emerge that slowly begin to meld together into a balanced enjoyable cigar. As the first third continues there are some floral notes that join the mix with hints of coffee especially on the aroma.
The second third of the Room 101 Uncle Lee the cigar develops notes of berries, specifically blueberries as experience on the cold draw of the cigar. The coffee aroma makes the transition to the flavors on the cigar while remaining on the aroma as well. There is also a subtle nuttiness and leather thrown into the mix as well.
The last third of the cigar sees the blueberry note remain but fade considerably. Some notes of cedar remain with a bit of dark chocolate and coffee on the finish. The aroma of the cigar is a home run with continued coffee on the nose.
The Burn: I’ve said it before many perfecto cigars start out with a tough draw, and the Uncle Lee is a cigar that was easy from the get go, perhaps too easy. The cigar for me smoked a little fast and I would have liked a slight resistance from the draw. The light color ash was flaky and held on for close to an inch at a time. The cigar burned true, with a thin burn line and never needed to be touched up or relit.
The Finish: This might be one of the best Room 101 Cigars I have smoked. I really enjoyed the complexity and diversified notes that were easy to detect. The Room 101 Uncle Lee is definitely a fitting tribute for a man who introduced Matt Booth to the world of cigars. Though I am not sure my liver ever recovered from the amount of Jägerbombs we did one summer in Chattanooga.
Score: 93
Price: $10.00
Room 101 Uncle Lee
Room 101 Uncle Lee Foot
Room 101 Uncle Lee
Room 101 Uncle Lee Burn
