United Cigars/Hammer + Sickle Series Unidas Cigar Review

They’ve said for a long time that the folks at United Cigars were in talks with Hammer + Sickle. They said they were talking about a way to influence your cigar selection. Now for the first time there is proof of collusion as United Cigars unveils their first ever Series Unidas. According to a press release, Hammer + Sickle and United Cigars began secret talks back in 2018, but they came to an abrupt halt when Eric Hanson, president of Hammer + Sickle Cigars passed away. Early in 2019 Executive Vice President Erik Wentworth reignited the secret meetings with United Cigars Oliver Nivaud as the two finished the project.

Cigar Review: United Cigars/Hammer + Sickle Series Unidas
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Length: 6.75″
Ring Gauge: 46

The Look: The Series Unidas comes packaged in a red and white wooden box that is secured with a red zip tie through a pair of holes. Inside sits what appears to be  20 Hammer + Sickle Tradicion cigars. However, according to a press release these aren’t your typical Tradicion Serie smokes. The blend has been tweaked slightly to have more of a kick and to the naked eye the Ecuador Connecticut wrapper appears to be darker and thicker than the regular release.

The Notes:  The cold draw off the joint project from Hammer + Sickle and United Cigars features notes of grass, hay and cedar. The aroma from the foot is considerably different with a touch of molasses like sweetness and a hint of white pepper.Once lit you can tell this is not your typical Tradicion Serie as there is a burst of pepper before settling down to a heavy earth component. As the smoke settles down further there are hints of wheat and cream. The retrohale wakes up the nostrils with some white pepper notes along with some cedar that is more defined on the aroma of the cigar as it sits between puffs.

As we move into the second third of the limited edition Series Unidas there are notes of earth and wheat with the latter being the dominant flavor profile. The cedar still remains on the aroma of the cigar while the retrohale continues to showcase notes of white pepper and some nuttiness is introduced as well.

As the stick comes to a close the notes remain earthy with hints of wheat and hay. The cedar becomes dominant on the finish while the retrohale continues to provide hints of white pepper and nuttiness.

The Finish: Having known Eric Hanson, I knew when this project first began. Even as time passes it’s very hard to not have him walking through the door with a bag full of candy and jokes that made me laugh no matter how many times I heard them. His quick wit is sorely missed. However, smoking this cigar made me happy because it was a project that was special to him. As for the cigar it is safe to say the completion of Hammer + Sickle / United Cigars Series Unidas would have done him proud. Oliver Nivaud and Erik Wentworth took control of the reigns and traveled the path he laid out for them. The result a cigar that rekindles a lot of memories and that is exactly what a cigar should do.

Score: 93
Price: $8.99 / $159.99