The Cavalier Genève brand is the work of Swiss entrepreneur, Sebastien Decoppet. Like some other boutique cigar brand owners, Sebastien left the corporate world to pursue his dream of getting into the cigar industry. He sold his possessions, flew to Honduras, and connected with the Plasencia family during his travels.
Cavalier Genève Cigars introduced their 3rd line of cigars at the 2017 IPCPR. Like the previous White and original Black Series, the Black Series II is adorned with a 24 kt gold leaf diamond in the wrapper, representing his Swiss heritage.
The blend of the Cavalier Genève Black Series II is described as:
- Wrapper – Mexican San Andrés
- Binder – Nicaraguan
- Filler – Nicaraguan
The Cavalier Genève Black Series II is expressed in seven vitolas, each packaged in 20-count boxes:
- Robusto (5 x 50) MSRP $8.50
- Robusto Gordo (5 x 54) MSRP $8.75
- Toro (6 x 54) MSRP $9.50
- Toro Gordo (6 x 60) MSRP $9.50
- Torpedo (6 x 54) MSRP $9.50
- Salomones (7 x 50/58) MSRP $12.00
- Lancero (7 x 38) MSRP $8.50
You can find these Small Batch Cigars here.
For this review, I sampled the Cavalier Genève Black Series II Toro Gordo.
Pre-Light Examination
The Cavalier Genève Black Series II is a fairly crisp, box pressed vitola that has a dark brown wrapper with a light grit. There are minimal veins and it feels solidly packed. It is finished with a decent cap. I used my CigarMedics HumidiMeter and got a reading of 66% which is good to go.
Other than the 24 kt gold foil diamond applied to the cigar, there is a single thin black band, that identifies it as a Cavalier Genève in white lettering. There is nothing that declares this as the Black Series II blend other than the bar code sticker on the outer cello.
I ran the barrel of the Black Series II along the nose and did not pick up any distinguishing aromas. However, the foot was offering an interesting licorice note.
I used my double blade cutter to open the cap by slicing it straight across the shoulder of the cigar and gave it some initial cold puffs. The draw was just to my liking while offering a continued licorice and spice. I was intrigued, and after a few more cold puffs, I ignited my double flame torch to warm the foot and drew in the first puffs of sweetness and a hint of lemon or lime note.
I was not exactly sure of the notes I was getting, it was not citrus peel or rind. A little digging and I found the Small Batch Cigars site that nailed it as coriander– yes I agree! I may need to add that to my list of notes in the future as I went to the spice rack and tasted it to be sure. (forever teach yourself I say)
Follow along as I burn the Cavalier Genève Black II Toro Gordo to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial light offered a touch of sweetness with that licorice note in the background and a hint of coriander
- Light grey ash forms on a medium thick char line with a crisp burn
- Cocoa notes enter after an inch plus of smooth burn
- Creamy notes fill in the profile making it ultra smooth on the palate
- Excellent ash has formed
- Full volume of smoke
- Burn gets a bit jagged
- Once the ash fell it revealed a centered but pointed cone
- Mild spice notes wrapped in a sweet creamy coating continues the profile
- Spice moves to more a savory sensation
- Relatively clean finish
- Woody notes enter as it burns through the gold foil – it should be noted that gold has no discernible taste
- Burned a tad hot in the final
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 45 minutes
Overall, the Cavalier Genève Black II Series was an intriguing cigar from a flavor and presentation perspective. Remember that coriander note and I enjoyed the cream and cocoa notes too. The burn started crisp but developed a bit of jag moving into second third and then a deeper off burn as it burned through the gold foil. Pick up a fiver of these and see how they age. I rate this a 90.
Point Deductions: (-1) Jagged Burn entering the second third; (-1) Off burn moving through gold foil; (-1) Pointed Burn Cone; (-1) Burned hot in the final
