Introduced at the 2019 PCA trade show in Las Vegas, the Blackbird Cigar Co. Jackdaw is one of six blends the company showcased. I have reviewed the other 5 and today I offer a review of the Jackdaw.
Like all the names of the blends in the portfolio, the Jackdaw is the name of a bird. It is classified in the crow family and can be found across Europe, western Asia and North Africa. The bird is social and vocal, living in small groups in farmland, open woodland, on coastal cliffs, and in urban settings. Jackdaws are intelligent birds, and have been observed using tools.
As for the Jackdaw cigar, it has a blend described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuador (Connecticut)
- Binder – Indonesian
- Filler – Dominican Republic, U.S.A. & Nicaragua (Corojo 99)
The Jackdaw is expressed in two different vitolas, each packaged in 21-count boxes:
- Gran Toro (6 x 54) – MSRP $9.64
- Robusto (5 x 50) MSRP $7.85
For this review I sampled the Blackbird Cigar Co. Jackdaw robusto which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Blackbird Cigar Co. Jackdaw is draped with a silky smooth, medium tan wrapper that a decent sheen in the light. There are minimal veins in the wrapper and the cigar is packed well and firm to the touch. A simple cap finishes the presentation. Checkout the reddish brown leaf in the filler off the foot.
Like all Blackbird cigars, the Jackdaw has a large outer sleeve that adorns the cigar. In the case of the Jackdaw, it is bright orange with the name “Jackdaw” scrolled across the sleeve. The whole presentation is one that would stand out on a humidor shelf.
Running the Jackdaw across the nose, I picked up a grassy hay aroma along the barrel. The foot was quite enticing with notes of butter and fruit which had me thinking of morning crepes that my wife makes for me on occasion.
I used my double blade cutter to slice the cap straight across the shoulder and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that were spot on with restriction and offered notes of grassy hay and a growing light pepper, especially on the lips.
With the pre-light examination delivering a pleasant start, I used a lit cedar spill to gently warm the foot and draw in the first puffs of a peppery smoke to get this bird to take flight. Follow along as I burn the Jackdaw to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Mild peppery start the journey
- Settles quickly into a smooth draw with a full volume of creamy smoke
- Herbal and naturally sweet notes please the palate
- Butter joins the mix after an inch of burn
- White ash forms on top of a medium thick char line (beautiful stacking dimes ash)
- Tasty allspice notes are delivered near the end of the first third
- Sweet cream builds midway and maintains through second third
- Slight jag in the burn
- Mild cinnamon spice enters in the final down to the finish with an underlying sweetness
- Mild to medium in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 35 minutes
Final Analysis
The Blackbird Cigar Co. Jackdaw Robusto was one of those Connecticut wrapped cigars that offered no bite or bitterness throughout the journey. It delivered pleasantly balanced transitions from foot to nub with an undertone of sweetness. Though not overly complex, it was a flavorful, palate pleasing cigar, that had a fine burn, excellent draw, and overall pleasant journey. Mild to medium in strength this is a perfect cigar to start your day with rich cup of coffee. This is certainly box worthy and I rate it a solid 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Slight Jag In the Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Buy a Box;
