Blackbird Cigar Co. recently announced their newest blend that will be showcased at this year’s TPE. The new release is called “Superb” may seem like a break from the company’s past names that refer to different black birds. (crow, rook, cuco, etc), but to the contrary, it is named after the Greater Lophorina (Lophorina superba), which is also referred to as the superb bird-of-paradise and is a species of the Paradisaeidae (bird-of-paradise) family. Check out the cool video of it showing its beautiful colors.
The Superb cigar will be part of the company’s core line and is the first to be produced at their new factory in the Dominican Republic. The company has also noted that the Superb is the first in their line to incorporate a habano wrapper. As you will see, this is truly a SUPERB cigar!
Blackbird Cigar Co. will be showcasing the Superb cigar at this year’s Total Product Expo trade show in Las Vegas January 31 to February 3.
In a press release for the Superb, the company stated:
“We started blending with that wrapper and the challenge began. We did too many blends, mixed with too many tobaccos in the filler that, honestly, it was exhausting. But one day, after several tests, a burned out palate, at 3 a.m. in the morning we decided to try the last blend… suddenly the room went silent… we all realized that THIS blend felt like we had just arrived in Paradise!”
The blend is simply described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Habano
- Binder – Undisclosed
- Filler – Undisclosed
The Blackbird Superb is expressed in 2 vitolas, each of which are packaged in 21-count boxes.
- Robusto Gordo (5 x 54) – MSRP $9.36
- Toro (6 x 52) – MSRP $10.72
I recently received two of the Blackbird Superb Robusto Gordos which I have to say, I only needed to smoke one to know how Superb this cigar is, but I did smoke the second just to be sure and it did not disappoint.
Pre-Light Examination
The Blackbird Superb is cloaked in a beautiful dark brown wrapper that exhibits a fine oily sheen. It is practically veinless from head to foot and has just the right give along the barrel. Most definitely a finely constructed cigar all the way down to its well applied cap.
Like all Blackbird cigars, it is adorned with a large outer sleeve that uses an attractive teal blue, black and silver motif representing the color of the male Superb bird when it does its mating dance. The logo even includes three yellowish-green stripes which are representative of the color of the bird’s open mouth. The sleeve also notes that this is a Habano as denoted right under the name Superb.
Running the Blackbird Superb along the nose, my senses were treated to an enticing sweet baking spice aroma along the barrel with added nut and chocolate notes off the foot.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs which I found to be nicely restricted and offered a peppery note across the palate (lips, tongue, cheeks.
Using a Blackbird long cigar matchstick, I warmed the foot with the soft flame to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of Cubanesque flavor. Follow along as I burn the Superb to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- I will just say this, the journey starts with a distinctive Cubanesque flavor – if you understand you know what I mean
- Thick, creamy, and chewy smoke fills the palate through a smooth draw
- A solid (stacking dimes) light grey ash forms on top of a medium thick char line
- Enticing sweet cracker aromas waft off the foot
- Natural sweetness and a hint of cinnamon spice joins the mix
- Cream and cocoa notes fill in the already delectable profile
- Moving into the second third a gentle umami spice note evolve
- Mild woody notes form in the background
- Aroma shifts to nutty essence midway
- Extreme ash falls revealing a perfect burn cone
- Mild jag in burn forms
- Increased spice down to the nub with a lingering cream and nut component on the palate
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Medium Strength
Final Analysis
I absolutely love when I come across a cigar that burns perfectly and offers a pleasantly nuanced profile of flavors and aromas that transition in a well-balanced array of flavors. The Blackbird Cigar Co, Superb is just that – SUPERB. With smooth draws and pleasurable notes, the Superb starts the journey with a rather Cubanesque like note and then graces the palate with a pleasing sweet cracker note early in the burn. The first third introduces a delightful natural sweetness, accompanied by a subtle touch of cinnamon spice that seamlessly intertwines with the overall composition. Rich cream and cocoa undertones enhance the already exquisite flavor profile. Transitioning into the second third, a gentle umami spice note evolves, adding a nuanced layer to the sensory experience. Meanwhile, mild woody notes subtly emerge in the background, contributing to the complexity of the composition. Midway through, the aroma undergoes a notable shift, transforming into a captivating nutty essence. Moving through the final the spice increases a notch, and the palate is treated to a lingering cream and nut sensation providing a subtle yet intriguing twist to the smoking experience. This is most certainly a box buy and I would have this one in my regular rotation. I rate this an admirable 96.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Wave in Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Extreme Ash; (+1) Box Buy; (+1) Pleasurable and Consistent across Multiple Samples
