At the 2015 IPCPR show down in Louisiana, Hammer & Sickle Cigars introduced a line extension of their Trademark Series. In place of the natural Connecticut shade wrapper the original is known for, the Hammer & Sickle Trademark Maduro features just that; a dark and toothy Mexican San Andreas maduro wrapper. This isn’t my first go around with this cigar, and I’m a fan for several reason, so let me tell you why.
What am I smoking?
Cigar Review: Hammer & Sickle Trademark Churchill Maduro
Wrapper: Mexican San Andreas Maduro
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Length: 7 Inches
Ring Gauge: 48
Power: 6 / 10
Packaging & Design
If one thing is for certain, Hammer & Sickle sure knows how to impress when it comes to packaging. Each line of their cigars arrive in unique boxes made of various premium materials such as metal, glass, bounded leather and marble. The Trademark Series is neatly presented in velvet cases with magnetic lids. The bands on this cigar are eye-catching and classy. The Trademark maduro comes adorned with a sharp looking black and silver band. Front and center is the hammer and sickle, a image that is often mistaken for communism instead of the symbol of the working man that it is.
First Impressions
This is a great looking cigar, and the wrapper is gorgeous. It has uniform coloring with a nice amount of tooth and seams that are barely visible. Aromas from the foot include aged tobacco, espresso and cocoa. Once cut, pre-light flavors offer up notes of mild leather and earth. There is little pepper to speak of, but it does play a small role in the background.
The Smoke
Right after sparking up, I’m greeted with a smooth tobacco flavor. Behind that there is notes of black coffee, soy sauce and a mild pepper. I was expecting it to be more full in body, but it is currently at a solid medium strength. This is not a bad thing, however, as this allows the flavors in the blend to shine through and not be hidden behind its power.
Rounding the second third, the flavors changed and opened up a bit more. There is a resurgence of pepper that helps give the woody notes a boost. The smoke itself is soft and easily palatable, making for an enjoyable mouthfeel. Nuances of roasted almonds and semi-sweet caramel are balanced along side with notes of espresso.
Finishing up on the Hammer & Sickle Trademark maduro, the strength has picked up slightly, but hasn’t crossed the line between medium and full. While the cigar gets hotter, the flavors become more pronounced. Lively notes of tobacco and leather build into a solid and long lasting finish. I got this churchill down to the last inch or so with no problem.
Final Thoughts
Hammer & Sickle is a brand I find myself going for when I’m in the mood for a consistently good smoke. They have a huge variety of blends to fit every palate, so I feel that every one is worth a try. This one in particular is a great example of a maduro wrapped cigar with a medium bodied blend. If you’re the type of person who has backed away from darker cigars because of strength, I recommend you give the Trademark maduro a shot. It’s a very approachable option to dabble in the world of darker tobacco.
Rating: 92
Price: $9.19 / $163.99 (Box of 20)
Hammer & Sickle Trademark Maduro burning
Hammer & Sickle Trademark Maduro finish
