Black Star Line Cigars rolled out their latest blend at the 2025 PCA trade show. As the newest core line for the company, the Meadowood MLK was blended and handcrafted at Tabacalera La Isla.
Bey noted:
“This is a very significant and not well-known piece of history. Martin Luther King Jr worked on a tobacco farm before he went to college. He helped to grow Connecticut broadleaf. King also got the inspiration to become pastor at the farms because he used to do small sermons for the other employees. King also stated that he noticed how much different he was treated because the racism in the north was not as bad as it was in the south”
The company noted that the packaging, box as well as the bands, were designed by Cigar Dojo. The band and the box have an image of tobacco fields and the tobacco barn. The colors used are “old gold” and black, the official colors of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity incorporated. King was a proud member of the Sigma Chapter of the fraternity.
Bey further noted:
“I really wanted to use this name because it definitely represents how it doesn’t matter what color you are, gender, or how much money you have, cigars brings everyone together. That is also a concept King believed in.”
The medium body blend is defined as:
- Wrapper – Dominican Corojo 99
- Binder – Dominican
- Fillers: Peruvian, Brazilian, American, Nicaraguan, and Dominican
The Meadowood MLK is expressed in a single (5 x 50) vitola and comes packaged in 20-count boxes. Only 225 boxes will be produced for the initial run. MSRP is set at $11.99/cigar.
For this review, I sampled 2 of the Black Star Line Meadowbrook Robustos. which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Black Star Line Meadowood is a medium reddish-brown cigar that exhibits a few veins and bumps along the barrel. It has a slight toothiness and a mild oily sheen. The cigar is packed well with just a slight give to the squeeze. A simple cap completes the construction.
A single band adorns the cigar, using an “old gold” and black motif. The band boldly declares this as the MEADOWOOD MLK and also includes an image of a tobacco field and curing barn. The right side of the band includes the company’s logo.
Running the cigar along the nose, I picked up barnyard notes along the barrel and foot.
Once I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar, I proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that I felt was fine with restriction and offered notes of tanginess, pepper, and touch of leather.
I used my single flame torch to warm the foot to an even orange glow as I drew in the first notes of tangy black pepper to start the journey. Follow along a I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial puffs offer a tangy black pepper note
- A light grey ash forms on top of a thin char line
- Thick full volume of smoke on each puff
- Cocoa and cream notes quickly add to the pleasure
- Pleasant black pepper corn notes treat the palate
- The ash dropped in a nice solid chunk revealing a perfect burn cone
- Woody nuances with a mild sweet nut aroma moving into the second third
- Continued tangy fruit notes linger on the palate
- The flavors have blended very well by the midway point
- Nicotine strength hits a solid medium plus
- Increased cocoa and vanilla notes with a spicey nuance entering final third
- A touch of cedar brings it to a satisfying conclusion
- Total Smoking time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
From the first draw, the Black Star Line Meadowood MLK Robusto greets the palate with a bright, tangy black pepper note—sharp yet balanced—offering an invigorating start. Each puff produces a dense, voluminous cloud of smoke, silky in texture and generous in output. As the profile develops, rich notes of cocoa and cream emerge, adding depth to the smoking experience. A pleasant black peppercorn flavor lingers on the tongue, never overpowering, but rather enhancing the complexity.
Moving into the second third, subtle woody undertones and a faintly sweet, nutty aroma begin to surface, further rounding out the profile. Tangy fruit notes continue to hover in the background, offering a bright contrast that keeps the flavor dynamic and engaging. By the midpoint, the flavors have married beautifully, presenting a well-balanced, harmonious blend. The nicotine strength settles at a confident medium-plus, noticeable but not overwhelming.
In the final third, the cocoa deepens and is joined by creamy vanilla and a warming spice nuance. A gentle touch of cedar arrives in the closing draws, bringing the journey to a satisfying, well-rounded finish. This was a refined and evolving experience from start to finish and I would certainly recommend buying a box of these. I rate this a solid 96.
Point Deductions: NONE
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Buy; (+1) Pleasurable and consistent across multiple samples
