Much of the fanfare has been around the Guardian of the Farm Apollo, and we will have a review of that in the near future. But having smoked all the sizes my first box purchase was today’s review Guardian of the Farm Rambo. While it would be easy to post the differences here I promise to have the other review up shortly. Not everyone will agree with me, but the Rambo is more in my wheelhouse as you will see.
Cigar Review: Guardian of the Farm
Wrapper: Nicaragua Corojo ’99 (Jalapa)
Binder: Nicaragua Corojo ’99
Filler: Nicaraguan Criollo ’98 and Nicaraguan Corojo ’99
Length: 4.5″
Ring Gauge: 48
Size: Rambo (Short Churchill)
The Look: The Guardian of the Farm Rambo box is different thank the other lines with the cigars laid out in two rows instead of four rows of five. The Guardian of the Farm is covered in a flawless looking oily wrapper that is seamlessly rolled. The black and gold band gives a hint that the cigar is named for the dogs of Max Fernandez (Casa Fernandez) and Kyle Gellis (Warped Cigars) and in the hand it is firm to the touch with no soft spots and an average weight.
The Notes: I usually don’t comment on the opening of the box but when I opened the box of Guardians of the Farm it had a very distinct aroma that was hard to place. It almost was like stepping into a cigar factory for the first time and that aroma is carried over to the cold draw of the Rambo along with some wood components. The aroma off the foot of the cigar has a nuttiness to it and subtle sweetness.
Once the cigar is quickly lit thanks to the closed foot there is a subtle nuttiness that is over taken briefly by a burst of pepper. As the pepper subsides this cigar is as nutty as they come with hints of almonds and nutmeg which remain dominant for most of the first third. As the third comes to a close some cinnamon begins to develop on the aroma with a white pepper retrohale.
Moving on to the second third the cinnamon notes become dominant with nuances of cedar and nuts. The nuttiness begins to appear on the aroma which reminds me of peanut shells. The pepper notes from the retrohale began to appear on the palate and the strength of the cigar kicks up a notch or two which is different than the other sizes in the line.
The last third sees the nuttiness become the focal point once again with the addition of cedar notes that are also noticeable on the aroma along with peanut shells. The retrohale continues to see an abundance of pepper which takes me back to another well known cigar that helped put Nicaragua on the map for the new school cigar smoker.
The Finish: Guardian of the Farm is Nicaraguan excellence. As I alluded to in the last third it reminds me of another well known cigar brand from Nicaragua and without naming names, the two companies once had ties. This cigar takes me back to those days, with its pepper finish and rich nuttiness. I bounced back and forth between the sizes before settling on Rambo as my first Guardian of the Farm box purchase because of the walk down memory lane.
Score: 93
Price: 7.99 / $175.99
Guardian of the Farm Rambo
Guardian of the Farm Rambo Foot
Guardian of the Farm Rambo Burn
