Back in 2018, Familia Rodriguez Tobacos LLC which is the parent company of Ohana Cigars created a new brand known as the Left Hand Cigar Company. Recently I received some samples of their blends to review on Stogie Press and the one I was most interested in reviewing was the Box Pressed Broadleaf Maduro known as the Lefthander. Simply put, it caught my eye with its glistening dark brown wrapper, crisp press, and closed foot. So after sampling this I am happy to present my review of this gem.
The Lefthander is a revamped version of the acclaimed Ohana Pulse, using a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper that cloaks binder and fillers from 3 Nicaragua regions – Condega, Jalapa and Ometepe.
Expressed in a single, 6 x 52 box-pressed vitola, the Lefthander comes packaged in 20-count boxes and also a 5-pack. The Lefthander has a MSRP of $11.99.
Ryan Frank Rodriguez, owner of Ohana cigars continued his relationship with Noel Rojas to produce the cigar which is manufactured at an undisclosed factory in Nicaragua.
Pre-Light Examination
The Lefthander is a crisp box pressed cigar with a beautifully marbled, dark chocolate brown wrapper. It has a well applied cap and a closed (unfinished) foot. There are some noticeable veins running through the wrapper. The cigar has a slight give during the pinch test and but has a decent weight in the hand.
A single band adorns the cigar, using the new Left Hand Cigar Co. logo. The logo is an image of a left hand holding a cigar. The name of the cigar is not identified on the band but the company name is along with the mirror imaged RR on the bottom representing Ryan Rodriguez.
As I ran the cigar across the nose, I was greeted with an array of aromas including; tobacco sweetness, light spice, cocoa, and nut. Enticing indeed!
Using my double blade cutter, I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and proceeded with some cold puffs. Notes of pepper were the first to grace the palate followed by a hint of fruit. The draw had a decent restriction to it.
Well, the pre-light aromas and notes certainly got my attention as did the visual. It was now time to burn this one to ash! I used my double flame torch lighter to ignite the loose leaf on the foot and took in a few good puffs of smoke. I have to say, the smoke output, right from the start, was immense and hit the nose with some solid black pepper.
Cigar Review Notes
- Peppery start especially on the nasals
- Immense smoke output from the first puff
- The barrel does have a bit of give throughout
- Sweet cocoa aroma
- Buttery notes join the pepper to smooth out the smoke
- Light grey ash develops on top of a wavy medium char line
- Saltiness adds to the profile
- As the ash fell it revealed a flat but centered burn cone
- Smoke is just billowing off the foot
- Dry fruit and dark chocolate notes enter
- Smoke has smoothed out well, moving through the second third
- Spicy notes enter along with a sweet caramel aroma
- Sweet cashew nuances add to the pleasing profile
- Natural sweetness builds along with a touch of salt – deep in the second third
- Flavors are swirling between spice, pepper, sweetness, and fruit approaching final third
- Sweetness and spice find their way through the final third with a hint of nut
- Medium to Full in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 Hour and 30 Minutes
Overall, I found the Lefthander by Left Hand Cigars to be quite a pleasurable smoking experience. The flavors and aromas were spectacular and balanced with some intriguing nuances throughout the burn. Smoke output was amazing, billowing off the foot from the very first puff. There was a flat burn cone when the ash fell and the barrel did have a spongy feel between my fingers but seemed to have no impact on the experience. Buy a box of these. I rate this a solid 92.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn; (-1) Flat Burn Cone; (-1) Squishy Barrel
Bonus Point: (+1) Buy a Box
