The Cigar Clowns are at it again and this time they are not fooling around. Their latest drop is known as The Master of Puppets Volume 1 “The Geppetto” and it had a run of 10,000 cigars this time. This is not the largest drop they have done, that would go to the King of Clowns, but it is up there. The name is a nod to the fact that “Nobody pulls the Cigar Clowns strings.”
This was blended by the Clowns team, and I was told that when they came upon the special wrapper, they knew they had something unique.
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian maduro hybrid from a Brazilian seed
- Binder – Habano
- Filler – Aged Dominican and Nicaraguan
The Geppetto is expressed in a single (6 x 52) toro and comes packaged in 10-count bundles but as a special bonus there are about 500 AVB (6 x 54) cigars sprinkled into the bundles as a trick or treat. So, you may get lucky with a bundle purchase (50/50 shot). The company has set the MSRP at $11.00/cigar. Like most all Cigar Clown releases, the factory is a closely guarded secret.
I know that Oak Glen Tobacconist carries these but they are selling out fast.
For this review I sampled two of these beauties, which I received from the Cigar Clowns for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Cigar Clowns Master of Puppets Volume 1 “The Geppetto” is draped in a dark brown wrapper that exhibits a mild tooth and has just a few noticeable veins running along the barrel and a slight marbling. The cigar has a mild oily sheen and is packed solid with no soft spots detected from head to foot. A simple cap finishes the construction.
The cigar is adorned with a single band that uses a bright yellow and red motif. An image of a clown wearing suspenders in presented from and center which I would say represents Geppetto – the master puppet maker – and the name “Cigar Cowns” is printed below. The back of the band includes the Cigar Clowns logo on both edges.
Running the Geppetto across the nose, I picked up notes of baking spice and pungent fermented leaf along the barrel while the foot offered a pungent barnyard note.
Using my CigarMedics Baller cutter, I opened the cap perfectly and gave the cigar some cold draw puffs that had a perfect restriction and offered notes of natural sweetness, hot pepper, and a mild fruity tang.
Using my single flame Xikar lighter, I warmed to foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of a spicy hot pepper notes to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Spicy Hot Pepper awaking to palate and nose to get things started
- Vanilla Cream notes quickly enter to tone down the peer and balance it out
- Firm light grey “stacking dimes” ash forms on top of a medium thick even char line
- The cream is further complimented with notes of chocolate and a developing natural sweetness
- The ash fell in a solid chunk revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- A hint of almond enters (I love this note in a cigar)
- Coffee notes slide in and blend well with the almond in the second third
- Floral nuances enter midway with an added fruit aroma
- Spice notes emerge deep in the second third with a backdrop of nut
- Spice finally reveals itself as cinnamon
- Medium Plus in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
The journey of the Cigar Clowns Master of Puppets Volume 1 “The Geppetto” begins with a fiery-hot pepper, awakening both the palate and the nose, setting the stage for an exhilarating experience. As the smoke unfolds, delicate vanilla cream undertones swiftly make their entrance, taming the fiery pepper. The creamy essence deepens with subtle hints of rich chocolate and an evolving natural sweetness that captivates the senses. A subtle nuance of almond gracefully emerges adding a delightful layer to the smoke’s complexity. Entering the second third, notes of coffee join the ensemble, seamlessly blending with the almond undertones to create a captivating symphony of flavors. Midway through the journey, delicate floral undertones intermingle with a hint of fruit, enhancing the cigar’s multifaceted profile. Deep into the second third, a surge of spice notes emerges, with an added rich backdrop of nuttiness, adding depth and intrigue to the experience. Remarkably, the ash continues to hold steadfast throughout the remainder of the burn, a testament to the cigar’s impeccable craftsmanship. Finally, the spice fully reveals its character, taking on the delightful essence of cinnamon, culminating in a memorable crescendo of flavor that lingers on the palate. This extremely complex and well-balanced cigar is one, every experienced enthusiast should get their hands on. Grab a bundle before they are gone. I rate this a stelar 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Flat but Centered Burn Cone; (-1) Mild jag in the burn during second third
Bonus Points: (+1) Extreme Solid Ash; (+1) Complex and Balanced; (+1) Pleasurable and Consistent across multiple samples
Fantastic cigar I encourage everybody to try this stick!!!!