This is our second review of a Dapper Cigar Co. Product. The first was the Cubo Sumatra Toro. Dapper Cigars 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“. Since the start of the company they have churned out some fine blends. Today we take a look at the Dapper Cigars El Borracho which happens to be the second blend released by this boutique cigar company.
I always like to look at what the name of a cigar translates to English when it is presented in a different language. In the case of the El Borracho it interestingly translates into “The Drunk”.
The company explains the El Borracho:
“Brawny yet subtle. Imposing itself with the strength of Nicaraguan filler tobaccos from Esteli, yet forfeiting nothing on its main objective: flavor. It’s only through rigorous farm and leaf selection that El Borracho achieves this goal.”
The El Borracho blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Mexican San Andrés
- Binder – Nicaraguan
- Filler – Nicaraguan
This beauty is expressed in three different vitolas, each packaged in 10-count boxes:
- Robusto (5 x 50) – MSRP $10.00
- Edmundo (5 1/2 x 52) -MSRP $11.00
- Toro (6 x 54) MSRP – $12.00
For this review, I sampled one Dapper Cigars El Borracho Edmundo that was given to me by the company at TPE 2020 for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
Right from the get go, I was attracted to this cigar, with its satin smooth, dark brown wrapper that was light on veins. It has a well formed square box pressing and nice crisp edges. The cigar was solid to the squeeze and had a decent weight in the hand. The foot showed it was packed well and a well applied cap competed the presentation.
The other attractive part of the cigar was the single band which was simple yet elegant in design. The name “EL BORRACHO” is printed across the top. Overlapped letters “E” and “B” are printed in gold on a red background and the phrase “Puros Finos” which translates to Fine Cigars is printed below. On both sides of the band, the phrase “HECHO A MANO” is printed, letting you know it is hand made. No where is the name of the company identified.
I ran the El Barracho across the nose and picked up a baking spice aroma along the barrel and a bright earthy note off the foot.
Once I sliced the cap with my double blade Xikar cutter, I took some cold puffs and identified a light peppery note joined with some earthiness.
The only thing left to do, after I cold puffed it a bit more, was to heat this up and go on another Dapper Cigars journey. My double flame torch was perfect to get it going as the foot took nicely to the heat while the first lit puffs hit the nasals with a strong peppery blast. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial puffs hit the nasals with a strong peppery blast
- Smoke settles quickly into a pleasant profile of toasted caramel and cream notes
- Solid white ash forms on a thin and slightly wavy char line
- Dry leather join the mix
- Ash fell in a solid white chunk revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- Profile evolves to present notes of fruit and light spice
- The fruit morphs into a grapefruit like “IPA bitterness” (this is good note)
- Maple syrup aroma is wafting off the foot midway
- Bitter sweet chocolate enters as the fruit fades
- Strength hits a solid medium
- Increased spice notes take you down to the nub
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 20 minutes
Overall, I found the Dapper Cigars El Borracho Edmundo to be a pleasurable smoke and a fine addition to the company’s line up. It offered a unique set of notes and aromas that were a break from many cigars I enjoy. A solid medium in strength, the El Borracho had a decent burn with only a small jag and wave now and then, that never needed to be touched up. This is worth picking up a fiver and let a few age to see how they develop over time. I rate this a 92. If your local brick and mortar does not carry the line, you can find these at the Underground Cigar Shop online.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn; (-1) Flat Burn Cone
Awesome…still studying from the goat. Lol