Don Kiki Cigars the brain child of Kiki Berger, who passed away two years ago, introduced the K by Karen Berger at this years IPCPR. Karen is the widow of Kiki and the introduction of the “K” is the latest in a line of fine cigars from the Berger family. Karen herself has stated that even though Kiki has passed, “his passion and love of the leaf lives on through me”. In fact the letter K represents both their names Kiki and Karen.
The K by Karen Berger is available in two wrappers – Habano and Maduro, each of which, is a true Esteli, Nicaraguan puro. Available in 10 count boxes, the K by Karen Berger comes in 3 vitolas:
- Robusto (5 x 52) – MSRP $10
- Toro (6 x 52) – MSRP $11
- Salomon (6 x 54) – MSRP $11
For this review I sampled the Toro Habano
Cigar Review Notes
- Smooth box press with slight marbling
- Slight sheen to the wrapper
- Stunning band with secondary declaring it the Habano
- Well capped
- Sweet fermented leaf along the barrel
- Sweet tea and floral off the foot
- Open draw
- Deep musty and earthy notes on cold draw
- Wow! – nut, cream, pepper, and a hint of fruit on initial puffs
- Coffee enter quickly to round out the profile paper fades quickly
- Dense light grey ash on a medium char line
- Cream and fruit become prominent after first half-inch of burn
- Love the density of the smoke as it fills and lingers on the palate
- Smooth easy retro hale
- Coffee note turns more to a bitter coffee bean middle of first third
- Flat burn cone
- Spice enters in the second third – followed by cedar and fruit
- Medium strength halfway
- High volume of thick creamy smoke
- Sweetness wrapped around the cedar and spice
- Spice increases through second third
- Spice and fruit notes are dancing on the palate
- Perfect Burn excellent draw
- Solid medium strength
- 1 hr 20 min smoke
Overall, the “K” Habano by Karen Berger is most delightful and elegant cigar that is smooth and flavorful throughout. It had a pristine burn and smoked to the nub.
Don Kiki K by Karen Berger