This weekend on The Cigar Authority was our annual conspiracy theory show. It’s a show where we talk about where cigar companies could be sold and to whom. It’s entirely hypothetical although each year we manage to get one right. On the show we smoked two cigars from the Care Package. On Saturday we shared our review of the Aladino Maduro, today we offer up our Lunatic Review.
Cigar Review: JFR Lunatic
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 4.75″
Ring Gauge: 60
Size: Short Titan
The Look: Packaged in simple boxes of 28 cigars, the Lunatic is available in two wrappers. The first being a Maduro, and the second, which is today’s review, Habano. It features an ugly looking wrapper which is loaded with thin veins and some darker colors that almost look like bruising. The foot of the cigar is covered and it features a pigtail cap as well. Thankfully, we never judge a cigar by its wrapper.
The Notes: The cold draw of the cigar is sweet and very reminiscent of a Rice Krispies Treat. The aroma off the foot reminds me of warm apple pie with notes of apples and cinnamon. Once the cigar is lit there is an abundance of pepper that is reminiscent of jalapeños.
The first third of this cigar is aggressive, but there is an underlying sweetness that becomes more evident as the spice tones down. The Lunatic develops notes of salted cashews joined by jalapeño, 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, 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 jalapeño 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 jalapeño 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: Large ring gulags are something I avoided, however in the last year or so they have become a part of my rotation. On some cigars the 60 ring gauge works for me and this is one of those cigars. It’s not too long in terms of length and the notes are enjoyable. It’s a cigar that is wallet friendly with a lot of notes.
Score: 91
Price: $6.29 / $153.99
JFR Lunatic Short Titan
JFR Lunatic Short Titan Foot
JFR Lunatic Short Titan Burn
