When I first laid eyes on the JFR Lunatic all I was able to think about was the song Lunatic Fringe by Red Rider. Lunatic Fringe – we all know you’re out there. Can you feel the resistance? Can you feel the thunder?
As for the brand it ranges from a 52 ring gauge all the way up to 80 ring gauge and as much as I was tempted to smoke the 8 x 80 bellicoso for today’s review I just didn’t have the time to invest so I opted for the Short Robusto.
Cigar Review: JFR Lunatic Habano
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 4.75″
Ring Gauge: 52
Size: Short Robusto
The Look: The JFR Lunatic comes packaged in 28 count boxes and is available as a Maduro or Habano. Today we are smoking the Habano which features a wrapper loaded with veins, albeit thin ones giving it the look of marbleization on a good cut of steak. The blue, silver and white band feels like it belongs on the Vegas strip in the 1970s. There is a fair amount of oils present and the cigar features a closed foot.
The Notes: Once the cap is cut, the cold draw of the cigar reminds me of prunes, apricots and dry cookie. If that doesn’t sound appetizing to you, then you do not know what you are missing out on. It’s one of the best cold draws I’ve had in a long time and the aroma off the wrapper is sweet. The closed foot allows us to give it a quick light and the first pull offers up notes of salted cashews.
With Lunatic Fringe on repeat I dive into the first third of the cigar which sees the notes of salted cashews joined by red pepper, and a subtle cocoa sweetness that lingers ever so slightly on the front end of the draw. As the first third comes to a close the cashew notes are still strong, but there is a developing floral component as well with a lot of spice on the retrohale.
The second third comes off as salty even as the cashew notes begin to fade. As they pull back creamy chocolate notes begin to develop with along with a touch of earthiness. With this portion of the ending the retrohale of the cigar sees continued pepper with a slightly floral finish.
As the cigar comes to a close its predominantly earthy but there is enough salted cashew left to keep things interesting. There is also a lingering vanilla note on the lengthy finish. The pepper which was so potent on the first two thirds of the retrohale is toned down as we put the cigar down with nothing left to hold.
The Finish: The Lunatic is a cigar that you should factor in the price. The reason I say this is when I first smoked one without the band on it I said it was a good $7-$8 cigar. Once I found out it was $5.99 a single or just over $5 at the box price it’s a really good value cigar. There’s enough going on to keep you interested even if it is a bit pedestrian.
Score: 90
Price: $5.99 / $145.99
JFR Lunatic Habano
JFR Lunatic Habano Burn
