Today I offer you a review of yet another fine Blackbird Cigar Co. creation. This time is it the Cuco Criollo. The Spanish word “Cuco” translates to “Cuckoo” in English. Following with the theme of the company, the Cuco is type of bird.
In case you wanted to know, the Cuco (Cuckoo) is defined by YourDictionary.com:
“…a grayish colored European bird that lays its eggs in the nests of other types of birds, the sound that this type of bird makes, or is slang for a crazy person.”
Now I am not going to call anyone crazy for enjoying the Black Bird Cigar Co. Cuco Criollo, as it is a decent cigar, but you can call me crazy for always wanting a wall of Cuckoo Clocks on my kitchen nook wall. I love those clocks, especially the finally crafted ones. As an Engineer I have always been intrigued with the elaborate mechanisms. Maybe I will get one when I retire.
As far as the Black Bird Cigar Co. Cuco Criollo, the company describes the blend as:
- Wrapper: Brazil
- Binder: Indonesia
- Filler: Dominican
The Cuco Criollo is expressed in two vitolas and come packaged in 21-count boxes and also available as part of the company’s 6 cigar sampler that includes all six blends offered by Blackbird Cigar Co.
- Robusto (5 x 50) MSRP $8.00
- Gran Toro (6 x 54) MSRP $9.58
For this review, I sampled one Cuco Criollo robusto, which was part of the sampler pack I received from the company, for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press
Pre-Light Examination
The Black Bird Cigar Co. Cuco Criollo is a dark reddish brown (Colorado) colored cigar that has light toothy feel to the touch. It has just a few veins along the barrel and is well packed from head to foot. It is finished with a simple cap.
Like all Blackbird Cigar Co. products, the Cuco Criollo is adorned with a large outer band (sleeve). It uses a light grey and black motif and declares this as the “CUCO CRIOLLO” on one side and “BLACKBIRD CIGAR CO.” on the other. When removed, the top right corner has a tip that contains the Blackbird Logo.
As I ran the Cuco Criollo along the nasals, I picked up refreshing fruit and nut notes off the foot but not much along the barrel.
Using my double blade cutter, I sliced the cap straight and gave it a few cold puffs that I would describe as rather snug and delivering a light pepper on the palate and lips with an added nuance of fruit.
With the preliminary exam out of the way, it was time fire the Cuco up and see what it had to offer. I used my double flame torch to warm the foot as I drew in the first peppery puffs of smoke. Though the cold draw seemed snug, the ignited liga offered thick and creamy smoke through a better draw. Follow along as I burn the Cuco to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial light offered a burst of pepper to the palate and nose
- Thick creamy smoke
- A Woody note joins the mix early
- Solid light grey ash forms on a thin char line
- Salty butter notes develop near the end of first third
- Ash fell in a decent chunk, revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- Cream and mild chocolate notes appear midway
- Slight jag appears in the burn
- Not much additional flavor development or intensifying
- Flavor maintains with just a mild spice entering in final third
- Medium strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 20 minutes
Overall, the Black Bird Cigar Co. Cuco Criollo was decent medium strength cigar that offered a less than complex smoking experience. I personally would have liked more development of the chocolate notes but that was not the plan for the Cuco. Construction wise, it was solid cigar with just a slight jag in the the second half and solid ash that fell in nice chunks through the journey. Though not something I would jump to buy, I might purchase this again. I rate this a 90.
Point Deductions: (-1) Flat Burn Cone; (-1) Not Complex; (-1) Slight Jag in the Burn; (-1) Worth checking one out
