Today I take a look at another offering from the Croatian Mafia Cigars company owned by Todd Pribanic of both Croatian and Hungarian Ancestry with ties to the Cigar Regions of Northern Nicaragua. This cigar climbs the hierarchy of the organized crime ladder and is called the BOSS.
The Croatian Mafia Cigars Boss is expressed in a single (6 x 52) Toro and carries an MSRP of $14.50/cigar. They come packaged in 20-count boxes.
The company describes the Boss blend as:
- Wrapper: Connecticut (Ecuador)
- Binder: Habano
- Fillers: Nicaraguan & Dominican
Like all cigars in the company’s portfolio, the Boss is hand crafted at Tabacalera Pichardo in Estelí, Nicaragua. The factory is owned by 4th Generation Cuban Cigar Grower, Eradio Pichardo Perez.
For this review, I sampled one of these which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Croatian Mafia Cigars Boss cigar exhibits a silky smooth, medium tan wrapper. The wrapper is basically devoid of veins and the cigar feels firmly packed and is nicely rolled with tight seams along the barrel. I am intrigued by the dark brown filler leaf, as noticed from the shaggy foot. A well applied triple cap completes the construction.
Like all cigars in the company’s portfolio, the Boss is adorned with a single black, white and silver band. The same basic design is used – a silhouette of a mobster in the center with the name Croatian Mafia Cigars printed below. This time, the blend name “BOSS” is printed on the bottom of the band.
Running the cigar across the nose, I picked up an enticing baking spice note along the barrel while the foot exuded notes of earth and nut.
Using my double blade Xikar cutter, I sliced the cap straight cut across the shoulder of the cigar and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that I found to be just a tad open in restriction while offering notes of mineral earth and a growing peppery spice.
I used my soft flame lighter to warm the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the introductory sweet and peppery puffs of smoke. Follow along and I burn the Boss to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial puffs deliver a peppery spice note on the nose with an added touch of natural tobacco sweetness on the tongue
- As the smoke starts to waft off the foot, it fille the area with a sweet aroma
- A light grey ash forms on top of a medium thick char line
- Thick creamy smoke fills the palate with every puff. This one has a fine smoke ring texture.
- The aroma morphs gently into a delectable cinnamon spice
- The ash fell in a small chunk revealing a centered burn cone
- Mild chocolate notes join the mix deep in the first third
- Peppery spice continues into the second third
- The ash is flaky and an off burn develops midway that required a touch up
- Toasted oak notes add some additional depth
- The early chocolate notes transform into a bitter dark chocolate note moving into the final third
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes
Final Analysis
From the initial puffs, the Croatian Mafia Cigars Boss Toro releases a robust peppery spice that opened the nose, complemented by a subtle sweetness on the palate. As the smoke begins to drift from the foot, it envelops the air with a captivating, sweet aroma. Creamy, dense smoke caresses the palate with a velvety texture. The sweet aroma gracefully evolves into a delightful cinnamon spice. Mild chocolate notes emerge, adding depth to the flavor profile as peppery spice persists into the second third. Toasted oak notes enrich the complexity. Progressing into the final third, the earlier chocolate notes transition into a bitter dark chocolate, marking the end of a richly layered smoking experience. This is worth picking up a fiver. I rate this a 90.
Point Deductions: (-1) Jagged Burn; (-1) Off Burn; (-1) Flaky Ash; (-1) Ash falls often; (-1) Touch up required
Bonus Points: (+1) Pleasurable Balanced Profile
