It has been a year since I spoke about Amendola Family Cigars and today I have the pleasure of introducing you to the 2nd in the Signature Series Cannoli line. The cannoli is a way for Jeffrey Amendola and Christopher Monaco to celebrate their Italian heritage. Not only is the cannoli a favorite desert for Italians but Amendola offers the cigar line in three blends, each with a different colored band. When lined up they represent the Italian flag colors (Green – Sumatra, White -Connecticut, Red – San Andres). Since I already reviewed the original (Red Band), I figured it was time to look at the Sumatra next.
A few points about the Sumatra. No matter how hard I tried, I was unable to get Jeffrey to spill the beans about the blend in the Sumatra. The only words I got out of him is “it has a Sumatra wrapper“, a little more persuasion and I got, “ok, it has Nicaraguan Fillers and Binder“. Well OK, a top secret blend, I get it. But I do know, it is expressed, like the others in the line, in a (5.5 x 42) Corona vitola and it comes packaged in 20 count boxes. MSRP is set at $9.00/cigar.
Pre-Light Examination
The Amendola Family Cigars Signature Series Cannoli Sumatra sports a dark tan wrapper that exhibits a nice oily sheen and minimal veins. The cigar has a solid feel to it and seems to be packed well. It is finished with a decent cap.
Like all offering in the Cannoli line, there are two bands that adorn the cigar. In the case of the Sumatra, it uses a green and silver motif. The Amendola Family Cigars logo is presented in the center using silver on a green background. The left side displays the Italian word “Rispetto” (Respect) and the right side “Lealta” (Loyalty). The bottom of the band displays the word “CANNOLI” in silver and green on a black background. There is also a green footer band.
Running the Cannoli Sumatra along the nose I picked up spicy and pungent notes along the barrel while the foot presented a pleasing baking spice aroma.
I used “The Baller” cutter by CigarMedics to open the cap which worked perfectly. I found the draw to be fine with restriction and it offered pre-light notes of a black peppery spice warming the lips and touch of leather. The pepper note grows throughout the palate the more you draw on it eventually hitting the back of the throat.
Using the soft flame of a cedar spill, I warmed the foot and drew in the first puffs that were heavy on the pepper along with a mild fruit note in the background. Follow along as I burn this to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Heavy on the pepper along with a mild fruit during the first puffs
- White ash forms on top of a mild jagged burn line
- Fruit begins to break out as pepper pulls back a notch
- Toasted caramel notes join the mix and blend well with the fruit
- Slight off burn develops and eventually needed a mild touch up
- Touch of sweetness sooths out the remaining pepper notes after first third
- Ash fell in a decent chunk revealing an off centered burn cone
- Spice notes evolve through the second third
- Settles into a sea salty caramel and spice gem
- Remains consistent down to the end
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 35 minutes to the nub
Final Analysis
The Amendola Family Cigars Signature Series Cannoli Sumatra was uniquely different than the original Cannoli. It certainly had the early pepper blast but then settled into fruit notes caramel sweetness. by the end of the first third. The second third saw an evolving spice and then a sea salt note that blended well with the ever present caramel. There was no real development to the final but the flavors at this point was very enticing. It did have some burn issue especially with an off burn that required a touch up. I would still grab a fiver of these. I rate this a 90.
Point Deductions: (-1) Jag in Burn; (-1) Off Burn; (-1) Touchup Required; (-1) Off centered Burn Cone
