We recently had Founder and CEO of Bella Dama Cigars, Chantel Leavitt, on Taking It To the Nub the other week and talked about her new line of cigars and innovative approach to marketing her brand. Bella Dama Cigars was founded in 2020 and officially launched their line of cigars in 2023.
The company sent me some samples of their line, which runs the gamut of blends from mild to bold and various vitolas. Each blend is named after poker cards and hands like King, Queen, Ace, Jack, Flush, and Royal.
Today I would like to focus on the Bella Dama King, which is expressed in a single (6 x 60) Toro Gordo vitola and is available in singles, 5-packs, and 25 packs. They have an MSRP of $15.00/cigar.
The Bella Dama King has a blend described as:
- Wrapper – Habano
- Binder– Nicaraguan
- Filler – Extra Aged Nicaraguan
Bella Dama Cigars are made in the USA but when asked, Chantel preferred to keep the factory name undisclosed.
Pre-Light Examination
The Bella Dama King is cloaked in a dark brown and oily habano wrapper that is light on veins and is packed firm to the touch. The cigar pressing exhibits an interestingly slight light tapering of the barrel down to the foot. It is artfully finished with a large pigtail triple cap and closed foot.
Two bands adorn the cigar. The primary band proudly displays the company logo with the red lips holding a lit cigar along with the name Bella Dama. Just below the primary band is a secondary band that defines this one as the “King” – printed in gold on a gloss black background.
As I ran the cigar along the nose, I did not pick up much pre-light aroma other than a mild pungent note. The foot being closed did not offer anything more.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar with my double blade Xikar cutter and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that really started to offer an early intrigue to the blend. The palate was graced with notes of cinnamon spice on the lips and tongue joined with a touch of nut and earth notes. With the closed foot, I was not able to discern the restriction but I will say it had no leaks that I would tell.
Using my single flame torch, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of cinnamon spice note to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Cinnamon spice notes start the journey
- A pleasant nut component joins the mix much like the pre-light draw
- A light grey ash forms on top of a medium thick, jagged char line
- Tannic notes
- Citrus peel notes offer a mouth watering sensation
- Natural sweetness enters and wraps the citrus much like a sprinkle of sugar on a morning grapefruit
- Ash fell in a decent chunk, revealing a flat but centered cone
- An intriguing, toasted cracker aroma enters moving into the second third
- There is a slight off burn but no touch up was required
- Cream and fruit notes add a unique dimension, deep in the second third
- Cinnamon notes reemerge in the final
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
The Bella Dama King journey commences with a burst of cinnamon spice, setting the stage for what’s to come. The pre-light nutty essence swiftly intertwines with the cinnamon, creating a harmonious and inviting bouquet. As the burn progresses, a tannic quality emerges in the smoke, lending a subtle complexity to the overall flavor profile. Delightful citrus peel notes come to life, offering a mouthwatering sensation that tantalizes the taste buds. The natural sweetness gracefully balances the citrus peel’s tang, reminiscent of the perfect sprinkling of sugar on a succulent breakfast grapefruit. A delightful, toasted cracker aroma gracefully wafts from the foot, adding a new dimension to the sensory experience moving into the second third. Deep into the second third, the flavor profile evolves further, introducing creamy and fruity notes that seamlessly blend with the cigar’s moderate complexity. In the final stages, the cinnamon notes make a captivating comeback, merging with the creamy nuances. This is one you may want to pick up a fiver of and check out. I rate this a 90.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn Line; (-1) Slight Off Burn; (-1) Flat but Centered Burn Cone; (-1) Slightly more Tannic early in the burn
