Once again, the Cigar Clowns are showing what can be done with time and perseverance with their latest release of the Scaramouche perfecto. The name Scaramouche is a stock clown character of the 16th-century commedia dell’arte. The role combined characteristics of the Zanni and the Capitano, with some assortment of villainous traits.
As for the cigar, it is bold flavorful, and decently behaved and certainly one of the best that this group of brothers of the leaf continue to aspire to, in order to find the perfect cigar.
Like most drops of cigar clowns, there is little divulged about the cigar but I was told that the blend is described simply as:
- Wrapper – Maduro
- Binder – Nicaragua
- Filler – Nicaragua
The Scaramouche was expressed in a single (5 x 54) Figurado Perfecto vitola and had an MSRP of $11.00/cigar. I use past tense, as this, like all Clown cigars, are a very limited run and when they are gone they are gone. The Scaramouche was sold out as soon as it was announced but there may be some found in the stash of the groups followers, or maybe Limited Cigar Association retailers, so reach out to them and maybe you can score one.
Pre-Light Examination
The Scaramouche is an expertly constructed short perfecto, sporting a toothy and oily, dark brown, almost oscuro, wrapper. The cigar is firm to the touch with no soft spots. There are all but no noticeable veins running through the wrapper and it is finished with an expertly applied cap. I have come to expect nothing less from the Cigar Clowns.
A single band adorns the cigar using a colorful motif and displaying a clown in the center and the brand “Cigar Clowns” underneath.
Running the Scaramouche along the nose, I was greeted with light sweet spice notes along the barrel and sweet caramel and vanilla like notes off the foot.
I used my double blade Xikar cutter to slice the well applied cap down about 1/4 inch from the tip and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that I found to be spot on with restriction and delivering notes of growing peppery spice, especially on the lips, along with a touch of earth and mild caramel note.
With the pre-light examination shaping up to be an extremely inviting cigar, I stopped the cold puff and warmed the foot with my single flame torch and began another Cigar Clowns journey. Follow along as I burn this clown to ash.
Pre-Light Examination
- Initial light offers a nasal awaking pepper shot
- Undertone of natural sweetness
- Thick full smoke volume fills the palate once past the tip of the cigar
- Pleasant floral aromas
- Clean smooth finish after each puff
- Citrusy mouth watering notes
- Light grey ash forms on top of a medium thick wavy char line
- Cedar notes add a pleasant dimension to the profile
- Excellent oiling growing above the burn line
- Sweetness morphs into a pleasant honey note
- Ash is a bit flaky
- Touch of cinnamon as the pepper pulls back
- Syrupy aroma
- Ash fell in nice chunk revealing a well formed and centered burn cone
- Caramel notes and adds to the balance
- Umami spice notes midway
- Spice increases with an underlying sweetness
- Medium plus strength
Final Analysis
The Scaramouche by the Cigar Clowns was an amazingly pleasurable smoking experience. Once again the Clowns have not disappointed. From pre-light to the nub, this is one cigar that did not disappoint, delivering an array of balanced and enticing flavors and aromas. The opening salvo was a hearty pepper shot to the palate that awoke nasals on the first retro-hale. Even with the heavy pepper, their was still a natural sweetness that reflected the aged leaf in the blend that was revealed more as the pepper receded. That sweetness grew into a pleasant honey note as the aromas shifted and played with senses. This is most certainly a cigar that the most refined palate would enjoy. If this was sold by the box I would buy a box. I rate this a 96.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Wave In Burn; (-1) Flaky Ash
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Worthy; (+1) Great Oiling above the Burn Line; (+1) Pleasant and Consistent across multiple samples; (+1) Extremely Complex in Flavor and Aroma
Special Note
I have been talking about the Cigar Clowns since they hit the scene and I have to say, this “micro boutique’ cigar group shows what you can do when you take the time to get things right with a cigar blend. From flavor, aroma, to burn the Clowns are getting it right. The Scaramouche is just another example of this passion for great cigars. I have recently had the honor to partake in the groups Tasting Panel for potential new releases and I have to say I am impressed as to the care they take in determining if a cigar is worthy of wearing a Clowns band. The sheer fact that each drop is selling out like a Led Zeppelin concert in the 1970s, is more than enough proof that they have made a mark in the industry. If you have not joined the group, I strongly suggest you do and be part of the search for the perfect cigar, a search that will never end but will offer you grand pleasure throughout the journey.