Enébes Tabac was founded by longtime cigar aficionado and serial entrepreneur, John Garofalo III. As a tobacconist and cigar store owner, Garofalo strives to offer a portfolio of original cigar blends that marry time-honored craftsmanship with modern sensibilities. John named his company “Enébes Tabac”. The word Enébes is a made-up word, which John describes as representative of his mantra No BS. When creating the brand name he said he just stuck the letter “E” before, in the middle and at the end of NBS (No BS) to come up with “Enébes”
John states:
“Enébes Tabac is about authenticity and quality in a market that’s often more style than substance. Our goal is to deliver an experience that seduces your senses at a price that doesn’t insult your intelligence.”
For this review, I sampled one of the company’s Signature Line of cigars – the Jekyll & Hide which has a blend described as a Nicaraguan puro:
- Wrapper – Nicaraguan Maduro
- Binder – Nicaraguan
- Filler – Nicaraguan (Esteli, Jalapa, Condega)
They are expressed in a 2 different vitolas, each packaged in 5 packs and 25-count bundles.
- Salamone (7 x 54) – MSRP $12.50/cigar
- Toro (6 x 50) – MSRP $11.50/cigar
For this review, I sampled one of the Enébes Tabac Signature Jekyll & Hide Toros, which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Enébes Tabac Signature Jekyll & Hide exhibits a bumpy, heavily marbled, dark brown wrapper. The leaf has just a few veins running through it and the foot shows a few stems. The roll looks good, and the bunching is firm from head to foot. Construction is completed with a simple cap.
A colorful and artistic single band adorns the cigar. It displays an image of John’s view of Jekyll & Hyde with the name on top and Enébes Tabac printed on the bottom.
The restriction was just fine, and it delivered rich floral notes along the barrel earthy foot
Using my Xikar Xi cutter, I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and gave it some cold draw puffs. The palate was greeted with a touch of cream and a growing peppery spice.
Using my dual flame torch, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first flavorful puffs of cream and fruit to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial light offers a smooth subtle cream note setting the stage
- A white ash forms on top of a jagged thin char line
- Tasty fruit notes blend into the profile
- Solid ash falls, in a nice chunk, revealing a well-formed burn cone
- Dark chocolate swirl in, enticing the palate
- A slight off burn develops but does not require a touch up
- Midway, the profile shifts to more of a savory spice
- Mouthwatering citrus peel keeps things interesting
- The spice increases throughout the second third
- Ash gets flaky
- The final brings the dark chocolate back in wrapped with a continued spice
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
Right off the initial light of the Enébes Tabac Signature Jekyll & Hide toro, the cigar gracefully introduces a velvety, subtle cream essence that elegantly takes center stage. Delectable fruit notes seamlessly intermingle with the overall flavor profile, creating an inviting early blend. A captivating infusion of dark chocolate ensues, tantalizing the palate with its rich presence. Progressing through the midway point, the profile undergoes a transformation, transitioning into a more savory spice, adding depth and complexity. A mouthwatering hint of citrus peel introduces an intriguing twist, keeping the sensory journey engaging. The spice intensifies throughout the second third, providing a gradual crescendo of flavors. In the final stages, the dark chocolate makes a triumphant return, enveloped in a continued embrace of spice, creating a satisfying conclusion to this medium strength and nuanced cigar experience. This is one I would say grab a fiver of. I rate this a 92.
Point Deductions: (-1) Jagged burn; (-1) Slight Off burn but no touch-up required; (-1) Flaky Ash
Bonus Points: (+1) Well balanced profile
