Earlier this month I introduced you to a new line of cigars I received to review – Black Star Line Cigars. The Chicago based company was founded by 2 childhood friends – Adetola “Aric” Wimberly-Bey and Derrick Bell. Over the years they realized their passion for premium cigars and with a little help from folks like Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate, and Sandy Cobas of El Titan De Bronze, they launched their company and dove into the premium cigar world with their El Milagro line.
The line includes two blends, both in a single toro vitola; El Milagro Sun Grown Habano and El Milagro Mexican San Andres. Today’s review will focus on the El Milagro Mexican San Andres which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press. I sampled 3 for this review.
The Black Star Line El Milagro Mexican San Andres blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Mexican San Andreas
- Binder – Ecuadorian
- Filler – Nicaraguan
Like its Habano sibling, the El Milagro Mexican San Andres is expressed in a single 6 x 54 toro vitola and comes packaged in a 10-count cabinet box. The MSRP is set at $79.95/box. You can order these directly from the company on their website here.
As noted, the Black Star Line El Milagro line is handcrafted at the famed El Titan De Bronze factory in Little Havana, Miami, FL.
Pre-Light Examination
The Black Star Line El Milagro Mexican San Andres is a dark brown cigar that has some noticeable veins and is finished with a triple cap. The cigar has a decent weight to it and seems to be well packed. Running my finger along the barrel I can feel a light tooth on the wrapper.
There is a single band that adorns the cigar. The band is gloss black with a thin, red border on the top and bottom. Without closer examination, you would not know what the brand is, but looking more closely you will note the company’s star logo embossed around the band.
As I ran the barrel along the nose, I did not pick up much pre-light aroma but the foot offered a pleasant cocoa note.
I used my double blade Xikar cutter to open it up, slicing the cap straight across the shoulder. Taking in a few cold puffs I noted it had a decent restriction and offered notes of mild red pepper and earth.
A double flame torch lighter was used to warm the foot, which took to the flame well. The first puffs had a slight harshness on the palate.
Cigar Review Notes
- Harsh start
- Takes about a half inch of burn to settle in eventually filling the palate with a fruit notes
- White ash forms on a medium char line
- Pleasant floral aroma wafts off the foot
- Mild sweetness enters to join the fruit
- Burn starts to get a tad wavy
- Butter and coffee notes join the mix
- Ash fell in nice chunk revealing a slight off centered burn cone
- Dry leather notes enter
- Smoke gets mildly astringent midway
- Spice notes end of second third
- Ash has stayed solid and long in second run
- Sweetness begins to grow in the background
- Fruit and spice become predominant moving through the finish
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes
Overall, the Black Star Line El Milagro Mexican San Andres was a flavorful cigar once it got past the early harshness of the first 1/2 inch of burn. It had a pleasant floral aroma and a pleasing background of sweetness through most of the journey. This is certainly worth picking up a fiver and let one or two age. I rate this a 92.
Point Deductions: (-1) Off Centered Burn Cone; (-1) Wavy Burn; (-1) Early Harshness; (-1) Slightly Astringent Midway
Bonus Point: (+1) Complex Profile; (+1) Long Ash
Glad to find your great detailed review! I believe the vitola is 52 rg not 54. I smoked these after 10 months and didn’t get much harshness, more of a sourdough note instead. Very nice and rich wet earth & leather with fuller body mouth feel and dark bittersweet chocolate. Also, they changed the labels to include text with company name.
Thanks for your input – much appreciated