I finished chapter one of the Archetype series of cigars last year and had only good things to say about the latest work of Ventura Cigars. Throughout that first chapter I experienced Dreams, was Enlightened by the Sage, and finally entered a Strange Passage. That final passage has taken me today to he point of Initiation as I work on chapter two of the Archetype Series. For the uninitiated, I am talking about the Archetype Initiation cigar, a collaborative effort between Ventura and Drew Estate. The Initiation is one of two Archetype cigars that pair up for your journey through Chapter Two. The other is the Axis Mundi, but we will leave that for after the initiation.
There are currently 5 cigars that make up the Archetype line of cigars from Ventura. The line is a nod to Joseph Campbell’s idea of the ‘hero’s journey which is an adaption of Carl Jung’s Archetype theories but applied to world mythologies and heros. In his own words, Carl Jung explained:
“……… the mind has grown to its present state of consciousness as an acorn grows into an oak or as saurians developed into mammals. As it has for so long been developing, so it still develops, and thus we are moved by forces from within as well as by stimuli from without.”
In his renowned 1949 book, The Hero With a Thousand Faces, Campbell expanded on that:
“A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow-man.”
The Hero With a Thousand Faces, describes the classic journey of a hero in 3 chapters. The second chapter of the work, is known as the Initiation. It is in this phase where the true character emerges, as the hero is initiated into true heroic stature by various trials and rites.
After smoking through Chapter one of the Archetype series it was time to be initiated and see what the “true character” of an Archetype cigar is. As I noted, the first three Archetype cigars were excellent so I was intrigued to see what the Initiation had to offer and how unique it would be. Continue the journey with me today as I initiate you to the fourth cigar in the Ventura Cigars Archetype line.
The Initiation
The blend of the Ventura Cigars Archetype Initiation is described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Habano
- Binder – Habano Nicaragua
- Filler – Habano Nicaragua
As simple as that blend may seem, this cigar is truly a pleasure to smoke, which just shows how many ways a cigar can be blended with similar leaf but create unique flavors depending how the leaf is arranged and how it is cultivated and aged.
The Archetype Initiation is available in 4 vitolas:
- Churchill – 7 x 48
- Toro – 6 x 52
- Robusto – 5 x 54
- Corona -5 x 46
Examining the Archetype Initiation, you will notice it is wrapped with a dark tan and mottled wrapper. It is solidly packed, has tight seams, and is well capped. There are two bands that adorn the Initiation. The primary band plays on the mythological motif and includes a Red Griffin centered in the middle of a black and silver background. The secondary band is a simple silver footer, with the Archetype logo on it.
Passing the Archetype Initiation across the nose I detected notes of cocoa and savory spice. An eclectic mix for sure and something that I would describe as rather unique. The cap is easily removed and the cold draw is perfectly restricted. It offered a touch of pepper on the lips and citrus fruit note on the palate.
With the preliminary introduction complete I moved onto the complete initiation.
For this review I sampled 2, Archetype Initiation Coronas
Cigar Review Notes
- First puffs impart exotic spice with a long citrus finish
- The retrohale delivered a decent pepper burn on the nasal
- A rather solid white ash begins to evolve
- Sweet, dried fruit, can be detected on the lips
- Creamy coffee enters after inch of burn
- Ginger spice enters with a hint of cedar
- Smoke smooths and blends into a citrus delight
- Ash holds on tight and once it is tapped a well centered burn cone is revealed
- Nut aroma is wafting off the off
- Peanut enters in the second third – now that is something I like and don’t always get!
- Coffee notes move closer to the front of the profile
- Gentle sweet spice end of second third
- Wow, there is a lot going on in this cigar – I guess I am seeing the true character now…
- The spice continued through the final, with a long peanut finish
- Medium Strength
- Total Smoking Time was surprisingly an hour and 15 minutes!
Overall, the Ventura Cigars Archetype Initiation was one hell of a corona, packed with flavor and pristine burn. I can only imagine the pleasure the larger vitolas offer. The collaboration between Ventura and Drew Estate on this cigar delivered a smoking experience that hits right to the soul of the cigar connoisseur yet could be easily enjoyed by a newly experienced cigar smoker. Thank You, may I have another!
Archetype Initiation