Seven Seven cigars is probably a brand that is new to you and rightfully so since they have been only in existence since 2016, ut as we know in the cigar business, it is not how long you have been around but who you work with in the industry that can make a difference. In the case of Seven Seven Cigars, owner Winston Abel Pena Terrero forged a relation with Francisco and Martin Almonte from Tabacalera DBL S.A in the Dominican Republic. Winston worked with DBL to help source the leaf and provide manufacturing of his new introductory blends.
Seven Seven Cigars introduced 3 blends at the 2017 IPCPR; Maduro, Habano, and Sumatra. The company’s website is proud to note that the complete line-up is filled with the best Cibao valley flavor. For those that are not familiar, Cibao occupies the central and northern part of the Dominican territory and is considered the considered to be the cultural heartland of the Dominican Republic. The fertile soils of the Cibao valley yield some of the world’s finest tobacco. Of course if you have been to, or heard of Santiago, then you know what the Cibao valley is.
Today I would will introduce you to the Seven Seven Maduro. To start with, the blend is described as:
- Wrapper – San Andres
- Binder – Criollo 98′
- Filler – Piloto Cubano, Nicaraguan, Criollo 98′
This is certainly a fine multi country blend of leaf for an enjoyable smoking experience.
As a new company in the market, Winston made a wise choice to keep the offering simple and make the maduro in the most marketable vitola – the Toro. They come packaged in 2 different box sizes though; 14-count and 21-count and the retail is around $11.00 USD.
The sample for this review I received from Winston at the IPCPR for the purpose for reviewing on Stogie Press.
The Seven Seven Maduro
Pre-Light Examination
The Seven Seven Maduro is covered in a coffee bean brown wrapper that has some noticeable seams and a few veins. It has a slight oily sheen to it and there is a light tooth on the wrapper.
The cigar is finished with a simple cap and adorned with two bands. The primary band uses a black and white motif and uses the company’s logo and a center point and the secondary (footer) band declares this as the Maduro variety.
The pre-light aromas have what I describe as a DBL Cigars fingerprint with a mild spice along the barrel and a sweet cinnamon raisin note off the foot. If you ever enjoyed a cigar made by Francisco Almonte from DBL Cigars you will understand what I mean.
I used a punch to open the cap and the cold draw was less than restricted and had the same cinnamon and raisin notes on palate. As you roll it about and take a few more cold puffs the cinnamon spice becomes more pronounced.
Cigar Review Notes
Seven Seven Maduro
Seven Seven Maduro
Seven Seven Maduro
Seven Seven Maduro
Seven Seven Maduro
Seven Seven Maduro
Seven Seven Maduro
Seven Seven Maduro
- There is immediate spicy note that enters upon ignition
- Spice settles quickly
- Natural sweetness grows after an inch of burn
- Light grey to almost white ash develops
- Medium char line
- Midway through the first third it required a touch up as it off burned
- Ash fell after the touch up – you can see the off centered burn cone
- Fruit enters as it approaches the second third
- A mild nut note enters near the midway joined
- Cedar flavor joins the nut
- Peppery spice enters just before the band
- Dry leather follows and is joined with some dark espresso through the final
- Medium Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 35 minutes
Overall, the Seven Seven Maduro was a decent cigar that offered some tasty flavors. The burn did have an issue early on, but once corrected it behaved itself with just an occasional jag here and there. I would like to try the other blends in this young company’s line-up to see how they compare.
Seven Seven Maduro