Introduced at the 2016 IPCPR in Las Vegas, the Salomone is the latest size from Klin Tobacco’s Hammer + Sickle Tradicion line. It’s not a vitola we see every day, and it is definitely not an easy cigar to roll. However, it seems like Tabadom (Davidoff) does it better than anyone else.
It’s a cigar we have been eagerly awaiting, and now that it is here let us see if it lives up to expectations….
Cigar Review: Hammer + Sickle Tradicion
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Length: 7″
Ring Gauge: 54
Vitola: Salomone
The Look: Moscow CityTrademarkIn an industry where special packaging usually results in an increase in price, the Hammer + Sickle brand has the appearance of bucking that trend. Each of their cigars feature unique packaging from the metal boxes of , suede boxes of , marble boxes of Berlin Wall, leather boxes of Hermitage, porcelin jaws of the Museum Series and the crystal/glass boxes of the Tradicion series. The Tradicion Series Salomone comes in 15 count boxes and is a limited release. The cigar is rolled to perfection, and features the Hammer + Sickle logo which is often confused with communism. The lack of a star removes that notion, and it is a tribute to unity of the peasant and worker.
The cold draw of the cigar makes it very clear that it is made at the Davidoff factory in the Dominican Republic. The notes of grass, hay and earth are the signature of Henke Kelner and his team. Despite the small foot opening of the size, the notes are replicated on the aroma.
Once lit, there are notes of hay and wheat that take hold of the palate and the cigar is exceptionally creamy and smooth. There is a subtle cedar notes that begins to grow with intensity. The retrohale is smooth and offers up a subtle nutmeg note.
Moving on to the second third the cigar is slightly earthy with notes of wheat that are dominant. The cedar notes that were subtle in the first third now linger on the finish which is moderate in length. The cigar remains creamy and smooth with continued nuttiness on the retrohale.
The last third sees all the notes experienced on the first two-thirds intensify. Earth, hay, wheat and cedar all mesh together in this exception bend that is remarkably smooth and savory.
The Finish: The Hammer + Sickle Tradicion Salomone might just be one of the best constructed, and most flavorful on the market in this particular vitola. It delivers the Davidoff experience at a fraction of the cost while managing to create its own identity at the same time. This is a cigar that I can’t wait to light up again.
Score: 94
Price: $13.99 / $149.99
Hammer + Sickle Tradicion Salomone
Hammer + Sickle Tradicion Salomone Foot
Hammer + Sickle Tradicion Salomone Burn
