You have seen the news on this cigar from the Vintage Rock-A-Feller Cigar Group (VRCG) and now I have the privilege of offering you my take on this bold blend that will be showcased at this years IPCPR trade show next week. I recently received a couple of samples of this cigar from the company to review on Stogie Press.
The VRCG Dominican Blue is the creation of legendary cigar maker, Victor De La Cruz in collaboration with Vintage Rock-A-Feller Cigar Group owner, Kevin Schweitzer.
Kevin Schweitzer stated:
“Vintage Rock-A-Feller Cigars Group is very excited to work with Victor de la Cruz and his Tabacalera L&V S.R.L factory to add the Dominican Blue to the successful Rock-A-Feller Cigars portfolio of premium cigars. Victor is a legend in the industry and a master blender going back decades in the business.”
The Dominican Blue has blend that offers a delicious and complex flavor profile that highlights the aged leaf and masterful construction:
- Wrapper – Ecuador Habano
- Binder – Sumatra
- Filler – Dominican Piloto, Seco HVA
The Dominican Blue is expressed in two vitolas and comes packaged in 20-count boxes:
- Short Pyramid (5 x 50) – MSRP $8.00
- Pigtail Finished Toro (6 x 52) – MSRP $9.00
VRCG notes that the Dominican Blue will be a core line and they will be shipping to retailers directly after the IPCPR. For this review I sampled two Dominican Blue Toros.
Pre-Light Examination
The VRCG Dominican Blue Toro is a stunningly beautiful cigar with a glistening medium to dark brown wrapper that has a tinge of red clay color running trough it. The cigar has some noticeable veins running along the barrel. The wrapper has some fine vein webbing and marbling to it. The construction on the toro is finished with a expertly applied pigtail cap.
There is a single band that adorns the cigar using a bright gold and blue motif with the Rock-A-Feller logo proudly emblazoned in the center. The bottom of the band includes images of the Dominican flag on both sides of the VRCG shield. I like the choice of colors for the band as it really pops on the background of the cigar.
Looks are important when cigars rest on the shelf of a humidor but the true test of a quality cigar is how it performs and how pleasant the flavor profile is to the smokers palate. The first test is the pre-light aroma and on the Dominican Blue, I picked up bright citrus and vanilla notes off the foot. This told me the cigar was aged well and was certainly ready to be smoked.
Before we get to firing it up, I sliced the cap with my double cutter to give a straight cut, right along the shoulder of the cigar. Taking in some cold draw puffs, my palate was graced with notes of cinnamon spice and earthiness.
So far, the Pre-Light experience was inviting and I was looking forward to firing it up and burning this to ash. I warmed the foot with my double flame torch to bring it to an orange glow as I drew in the first puff of spicy smoke.
Cigar Review Notes
- Cinnamon Spice on initial draw
- Salt and pepper ash forms on a medium char line
- Woody notes and dry leather enter
- Mild wave in burn
- Pleasant fruit aroma starts to fill the air
- Cedar and citrus round out the early profile
- Full volume of smoke with a perfectly restricted draw
- Decent oiling builds above the burn line
- Creamy coffee notes enhance the profile starting the second third
- Mint enters to brighten things up
- Aroma shifted to more of a charred oak
- Delicate sweetness wraps the mint
- Cinnamon rejoins the mix
- Ash fell deep into second third with a perfect burn cone
- Caramel notes enter offering an enhanced sweetness
- Ash is getting a tad flaky
- Cinnamon and Caramel tango through the second third
- Slight off burn in the final
- Final third brings spice, cream, and coffee notes to finish
- Medium plus in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 45 Minutes
Overall, the Vintage Rock-A-Feller Cigar Group Dominican Blue Toro offered a bold and full body of complex flavor notes from foot to nub. I was especially enjoying the mint, caramel, and sweetness that danced along the core of cinnamon spice. Aromas were pleasant throughout the journey. From a construction perspective, it performed well with just a mild wave in the start and a slight off burn at the end, neither of which required me to put the flame to the cigar again. With it all said, I would by a box of these. I rate this a 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wave in Burn; (-1) Slight Off Burn in Final; (-1) Salt & Pepper Ash; (-1) Flaky ash in second half
Bonus Points: (+1) Excellent Oil Development; (+1) Buy a Box
