Another installment of the Cigar Clowns hunt for the perfect smoke, arrived the other day. I have to say, it was perfect timing, as just the day before, my wife made some of the most awesome brownies. You will see why that matters in a moment. Here is a selfish plug, if you like cooking, check out and like her Instagram page DiaVitaBistro.
The Cigar Clowns started to add bands to their cigar drops beginning with drop 3, which was last month. This month, a single band adorns the cigar, which features “Krinkles“, an old school cereal clown. When I asked why Cigar Clowns chose “Krinkles the Clown” for this months release, they told me ‘the cigar is like a breakfast smoke to them‘. I can appreciate that comment after enjoying this gem of a cigar.
Pre-Light Examination
The latest drop of the Cigar Clowns “Krinkles” has a rich dark brown color to the cigar that reminds me of those brownies I just spoke about. The wrapper is oily and seriously toothy. This boxed pressed (7.5 x 54) Churchill is a stunningly beautiful cigar. I am not sure if I want to smoke it or eat it. Veins are non-existent and the seams are all but invisible. It is finished with a well applied double cap.
I could go on and on about the look of this cigar but you get the picture. Or better yet, here is a picture.
The guys over at Cigar Clowns informed me that the Krinkles blend is:
- Wrapper – San Andres
- Binder – Nicaraguan
- Filler – Nicaraguan
Running the Cigar Clowns Krinkles across the nose, I picked up a yummy baking spice aroma along the barrel while the foot exuded a rich earthy note and a bit of pepper.
The cap sliced easily across the shoulder with my double blade cutter, after which I proceeded to give it some long awaited cold draw puffs. The draw had a restriction much to my liking, and offered notes of salted butter and pepper. Actually, the pepper grows on the palate the more you cold puff it.
Using my triple flame torch, the foot took to the heat well and warmed up to an even orange glow as I drew in the first puffs of smoke laden with cinnamon spice and sweetness. A fine start to the journey! Follow along as I burn the Cigar Clowns “Krinkles” to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- First light offers notes of cinnamon spice and sweetness
- White ash forms on top of a thin char line
- Fruit notes join the profile along with a pleasant floral aroma
- Full volume of smoke
- Flavor continues to evolve with a pleasant dark chocolate note rounding out the first inch
- There is a mild wave in the burn but behaving itself
- Love the toothiness that shows up in the ash and the fine oiling above the burn line
- Burn is straightening out
- Ash fell in a nice chunk revealing a centered but rather pointed cone
- Toasted caramel adds to the pleasure with a mild spice backnote
- Strength moves up to medium
- Sweetness layers the dark chocolate core nicely
- Cedar notes moves into the second third
- Strength has hit full by midway – smoke this slow – eat a meal
- Spicy Caramel aroma
- Savory spice increases moving into the final third as my head gets a little woozy
- Finishes with a bit of earthiness
- Full Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 2 hours
Overall, the Cigar Clowns Krinkles was simply awesome. This was a great find by the Cigar Clowns team, from the gorgeous pre-light appearance and aromas to the rich flavor profile, this full strength cigar is one a true cigar enthusiast will savor and enjoy. It is sad these are so very limited but I highly recommend buying a five pack for only $45.00 on the Cigar Clowns Facebook page when they release them this coming Friday October 16th. I rate this a solid 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Pointed Burn Cone; (-1) Slight Wave in Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Nice Oiling; (+1) Buy as many as you Can; (+1) Extremely Complex yet balanced
