Today, I offer yet another review of the Croatian Mafia Cigars, this time it is their Consigliere. Keeping with the theme of the Mafia hierarchy, the Consigliere is a member of a Mafia family who serves as an adviser to the leader and resolves disputes within the family.
The Consigliere blend is described as:
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
- Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
- Filler: Nicaraguan
The Consigliere is expressed in a single (6 x 52) Toro and come packaged in 20-count boxes with an MSRP of $14.99/cigar.
Like all cigars in the company’s portfolio, the Consigliere is handcrafted 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 Consigliere, which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Croatian Mafia Cigars Consigliere is a nicely constructed, dark brown cigar with some noticeable veins, marbling throughout, and a light oily sheen. The cigar is well capped and firmly packed with just a slight give along the barrel.
Like all cigars in the company’s portfolio, the Consigliere 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 “CONSIGLIERE” is printed on the bottom of the band.
Running the cigar along the nose, I picked up a sweet curing barn aroma along the barrel while the foot offered notes of butter and fruit.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and gave it some cold draws which offered a lightly growing pepper note through a perfect restriction A few more puffs bring forth a sprinkle of salt to the pre-light profile.
Using my Xikar fan flame torch, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of strong peppery notes that awakened the nasals for sure on the initial retrohales.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial pepper wack to the nasals
- Smoke volume is full through a nicely restricted smooth draw
- A white ash forms on top of a medium thick char line
- Gentle tobacco sweetness adds the early profile along with a pleasant, sweet cashew aroma
- The early pepper morphs into a sweet cinnamon note
- The ash fell in a good chunk revealing a well-formed burn cone
- Fruit notes join the profile in the second third
- The smoke is smooth and well-balanced midway
- Walnut notes join the mix deep in second third
- Strength begins to ratchet up
- The spice increases in final with a hint of fruit and earth
- The smoke gets a tad bitter at the end with a lingering nut on the palate
- Medium plus in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 35 minutes
Final Analysis
The initial draw of the Croatian Mafia Cigars Consigliere delivers a sharp, peppery kick to the nostrils, through a thick, satisfying plume of smoke that flows smoothly through the draw. The early flavors are marked by a mild tobacco sweetness, accompanied by a subtle, sweet cashew aroma. As the cigar progresses, the peppery notes evolve into a warm, sweet cinnamon flavor. The ash eventually falls in a solid chunk, revealing a well-formed burn cone beneath. In the second third, fruit notes emerge, adding complexity to the profile, while the smoke remains smooth and balanced. A rich walnut flavor makes an appearance deep into the second third, as the strength of the cigar gradually intensifies. By the final third, the spice level rises, accompanied by hints of fruit and earth. As the smoke nears its end, a slight bitterness creeps in along with a lingering nutty aftertaste on the palate. I rate this a 94. Grab a box.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Wave in burn; (-1) Gets a tad bitter at end
Bonus points: (+1) Well Balanced; (+1) Box Buy
