Today I take a look at another blend from the brothers by loyalty – Ernesto Cordova and Allen Sanabria – who I introduced you to back in March on Taking It To The Nub. Their company, Family X Loyalty – has 4 different blends on the market and today I will be reviewing the Hati. For those that recall the show, the brothers name their cigars after Norse mythology and celebrate the the majestic Wolf. In the case of Hati, it is one of two wolves that pursue Sol and Mino (the sun and moon) in the hope to devour them. The other is known as Sköll. Hati is “One Who Hates” and Sköll is “One Who Loves”.
As for the Hati cigar, it is one to love as you will see as you read on.
The company describes the blend of Hati as:
- Wrapper – Connecticut
- Binder – Criollo 98
- Filler – Corojo, Nicaragua
The Hati blend is expressed in 3 different vitolas and each are packaged in 21-count boxes, 5-packs, or you can get a 6-count sampler containing 2 of each vitola.
- Gran Toro (6 x 54) – MSRP $11.00
- Robusto (5 x 50) – MSRP $10.00
- Pipe Size (3.5 x 52) – MSRP $9.00
For this review I sampled one of the Family X Loyalty Hati Robustos, which I received from the company for the purpose for reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Family X Loyalty Hati Robusto is a well constructed cigar that is wrapped in a medium tan wrapper that has a light sheen and a just a few noticeable veins. The wrapper is smooth to the touch. I found the packing to be firm, with just the right give to keep the delicate wrapper from cracking if the cigar expands a bit during the journey. A well applied double cap finishes the presentation.
There are two bands that adorn the Hati. The primary band is designed like all the cigar in the company lineup. It uses Norse lettering to spell the HATI vertically along the band. The band uses a silver-grey and black motif and it easily recognizable on the background of the wrapper. The secondary footer band uses the same motif and declarers it as a Family X Loyalty product.
Running the cigar along the nose, I picked up a pleasant baking spice aroma along the barrel. The foot added to that pleasure with a sweet butter cracker note.
I opened the cap using “The Baller” cutter by CigarMedics and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that I found to be perfect in restriction while enticing the palate with notes of earth, natural tobacco sweetness and a hint of pepper.
With the pre-light examination out of the way, and having me quit interested, it was time to take the HATI on a journey. Using a lit cedar spill, I warmed the foot with the soft flame and drew in the first puffs of thick creamy smoke. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial notes pleased the palate a medium level of pepper and a delicate butter background
- Full volume of thick creamy smoke
- Touch of mineral through me off for a just a moment
- Fruit and sweetness entered after just a few puffs of the mineral note
- Dry cocoa powder adds to the sensation
- The ash is solid and white in color with a an excellent burn line
- Savory spice begins to grow as the wolf howls
- There is a scrumptious blend of spice and cocoa midway
- A light lingering nut has been present since the start of the second third
- Fruit notes are most prevalent
- The extreme ash finally fell deep in the second third revealing a well formed burn cone
- Gets a tad bitter in the final
- Mild to Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 25 minutes
Final Analysis
I found the Family X Loyalty Hati Robusto to be an extremely well constructed cigar that burn flawlessly through almost 90 minutes of smoking enjoyment. The flavor was pleasant barring the slight mineral notes in the early puffs but it quickly settled into a tasty gem of a cigar with well balanced flavor nuances. I especially enjoyed the lingering nut on the palate through a good part of the second third along with the blend of spice and cocoa. It did have a touch of bitterness in the final. Go grab a fiver of these. I rate this a 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mineral Note Early; (-1) Slight Bitterness in Final
Bonus Points: (+1) Extreme Ash; (+1) Excellent Burn;