Back in 2013, the Dapper Cigar Company was founded with the launch of the Cubo Claro cigar. The company was founded by Ian Reith and according the Dapper Cigar website, he is “The Glue” that keeps the pulse on all the small things and when he founded the company he had one goal, “Make just one Great Cigar“. He succeeded, and as the years went on, the small and growing artesanal cigar company introduced additional blends, including a maduro version of the Cubo. Then in 2018 they launched the Cubo Sumatra blend.
In 2020, I got the chance to meet the Dapper Cigar team at the Tobacco Plus Expo 2020 in Las Vegas, NV and they provided me with a sampler of their blends to review on Stogie Press. This is what I liked about the TPE, it gave me the chance to see brand owners more easily, as they were not all scattered across the trade show floor.
Today I offer a review of the Dapper Cubo Sumatra Toro.
The Dapper Cubo Sumatra has a bold and flavorful blend described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Sumatran rosado
- Binder – Nicaraguan (Jalapa)
- Filler –
- Nicaraguan (Esteli)
- Nicaraguan (Jalapa)
- Nicaraguan (Undisclosed)
- US Connecticut Broadleaf
The Cubo Sumatra is expressed in 4 vitolas and comes packaged in 20-count boxes except the corona which comes in 15-count boxes
- Corona (5 5/8 x 45) MSRP $8.80
- Robusto (4 1/2 x 50) MSRP $9.00
- Toro (6 1/8 x 50) MSRP $9.96
- Gordo (6 x 54) MSRP $10.96
Although it was showcased in 2018, the Cubo Sumatra was in the market on a limited basis prior to August 8, 2016.
Pre-Light Examination
The Dapper Cubo Sumatra medium brown cigar with a slight red tinge to it and a light marbling through the leaf. It is packed tight as demonstrated by the weight and feel in the hand. The cigar has a few noticeable veins running along the barrel and has tight seams. It is finished with a well applied cap.
The cigar is adorned with a single band that uses a purple gradient background that has what looks like a Spanish church steeple, you might see in Nicaragua, in the center. It also has two white doves with spread wings on either side along with two golden crowns to either side of the doves. The name Cubo is printed in a golden scroll on the bottom. I may have to reach out to Ian to understand the visuals on this band.
Running the Cubo Sumatra across the nose, I detected a pungent fermented leaf aroma along the barrel and notes of fruit and nut off the foot.
Slicing it straight with my double blade Xikar cutter, right across the shoulder, I proceeded to take some cold puffs that was a tad tight but treated my palate to notes of nut, black pepper, and raisin.
Intrigued with the pre-light, I chose to cue up some Latin music on Pandora, then reached for my double flame torch to warm the foot and take in the first flavor sensations of the Cubo Sumatra. I settled back for a Dapper Cigar journey. Follow along and you can too.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial puffs are still on the tight side of restriction
- An early pepper shot greets the nose on the retro-hale
- Sweet floral aroma quickly fills the lounge
- Dark chocolate notes are first to grace the palate
- Light grey ash forms on a thin wavy line
- Butter and earthiness (much akin to a buttery mushroom) enters as sweetness fills the background
- Restriction has opened up and smoke volume is full
- Plum nuance form near the end of the first third
- Ash fell in big chunk revealing an off centered burn cone
- Vegetal notes enter moving into the second third
- Dark chocolate re-emerges
- Off burn is forming and requires a touch-up
- Sweetness morphs into more of a toasted caramel
- Nice oil development above the burn line
- A second touch up is required deep in the second third
- Spice and butter notes in become predominate in the final
- A light sweetness finishes it
- Medium plus in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Overall, the Dapper Cigars Cubo Sumatra toro was indeed a flavor bomb. With enticing aromas and palate pleasing flavor notes, the Cubo Sumatra is one that will keep your interest peaked through every puff. It did have some burn issues that required a couple of touch-ups along the way, to keep it burning straight. The price point is right in the wheel-house of many cigar enthusiasts and this is one I would recommend picking up a 5 pack of. I rate this a 91.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn; (-2) Multiple Touch-ups; (-1) Off Burn; (-1) Off-Centered Burn Cone
Bonus Points: (+1) Nice Oil Development; (+1) Complex and Balanced Flavor
