Summer of 2022 just hit and the heat was rising across the country when Dissident Cigars announced their latest cigar and first to be created by new owners Cynn and Joshua Coburn. The MOLOTOV was to be more than just a new blend, it was a bold new entry from a bold couple that just a mere 18 months earlier acquired Dissident Cigars. The duo knew they needed to put their personal stamp on the brand and that is where the MOLOTOV comes in.
Owner/blender Cynn Coburn noted this about her company’s new release:
“The Limited Edition Molotov is an explosion into what’s to come for Dissident. New cigars, flavor profiles, & edgy designs are all ahead for this brand! ”
That statement is so spot on, and having gotten to know Cynn over the past year, she is determined to make waves in the Premium Cigar Industry. If you want to learn more about Cynn and Joshua along with their journey, check out my interview with her earlier this year:
The Dissident Molotov
Coming straight out of Fabrica Oveja Negra in Estelí, Nicaragua, the MOLOTOV has a blend described as:
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Rojis
- Binder: Ecuador
- Filler: Esteli, Ometepe, Dominican
The DISSIDENT MOLOTOV is expressed in a single (5 x 50) Robusto packaged in 20-count boxes with an MSRP of $12.00/cigar
The MOLOTOV was introduced as a limited edition release, offered on a first-come, first-served basis to Oveja Negra Brands retailers attending PCA 2022. The MOLOTOV was offered to non-PCA attending retailers upon show close. Dissident Cigars began shipping the MOLOTOV in mid to late summer of this year.
For this review, I sampled 3 Dissident Molotov cigars which I purchased from the New Tobacco Village in Whitehall, PA.
Pre-Light Examination
The DISSIDENT MOLOTOV is an artfully and beautifully constructed cigar. It is wrapped in a toothy and oily, reddish brown wrapper, that just by the look and feel, invites you in to take a closer examination. The cigar is solidly packed and expertly bunched. There are some noticeable seams in the roll but that had no impact on the performance as you will see. The proverbial icing on the cake, is the artful cap on this cigar. It is designed to look like a Molotov Cocktail with its loose flaring leaves on top of an masterfully applied triple cap.
The DISSIDENT MOLOTOV is adorned with a single band that uses a black, white, and red motif. The design of the band is bold and features an image of Dissident Cigars owner Cynn Coburn holding a red flamed Molotov cocktail. The name Molotov is printed below using alternating black and red letter and the company name “DISSIDENT” is presented on the bottom. The back of the band proudly displays the company’s signature lighting bolt logo.
Running the Dissident Molotov along the nose, I sensed a mild spicy aroma through the barrel in addition to a light floral note. The foot exuded a rather deep earthy note and even a touch more floral.
Cutting the cap had me thinking a bit, as the flared leaf on the cap can be handled a few ways. I could twist off the leaf, cut the leaf then cut the cap, or push the leaf through my double blade cutter and slice the cap with the leaf attached. I opted for the latter.
Once opened up, I gave the Molotov a few cold draw puffs. I found the draw to be spot with restriction while offering earthy, floral, and peppery spice notes. The cold draw is one you want to take some time with this gem. It really begins to fire up the taste buds as you prepare yourself for the journey you are about to embark on.
Using my double flame torch, I warmed the foot gently to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of a soon to be pleasant journey with its peppery and sweet cracker start. Follow along as burn the Molotov to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Peppery notes to start with a light sweet cracker note in the background
- Light grey ash forms on thin and even char line
- Fruity citrus notes join the early profile
- Cracker note evolves into a gingerbread aroma (something new for me)
- Beautiful natural sweetness and light baking spice notes blending well moving through the first third
- Ash is solid and holding tight entering the second third
- Dry fruit notes enter adding a pleasant dimension
- Light floral notes appear midway
- Ash fell after a long solid run revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- Hint of almond graces the palate deep in the second third
- Slight jagged burn
- Dark chocolate notes evolve
- Enticing spice notes take it down to through the final
- Medium Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
The DISSIDENT MOLOTOV was a spectacular blend and awesome cigar journey. From the artful presentation down to the flavors and aromas, this is a cigar you must get your hands on. Though the company itself has been around for years, it is this cigar that stamps the new owners, Cynn and Joshua Coburns imprint. Medium in strength but complex and balanced, the MOLOTOV treats the palate to an array of inviting flavors and aromas that would please both experienced and novice palates. I especially enjoyed the gingerbread aromas early in the burn and then the dark chocolate and almond nuance deep in the journey. The burn and draw was spot on throughout the 1 hour and 40 minute experience. This is one that is most certainly box worthy. This is just the start of what the Coburn’s, working with Fabrica Oveja Negra, has to offer. I Rate this a solid 96
Point Deductions: (-1) Flat but Centered Burn Cone; (-1) Slight Jagged Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Worthy; (+1) Long Solid Ash; (-1) Extremely Pleasant and Consistent across Multiple Samples; (+1) Extremely complex in flavor and aroma
