Announced late in 2020, the Military-inspired DEFENDER from Frontline Cigars continues with the spirit of supporting our Nations’ First Responders and Military. The DEFENDER pairs up with their Law Enforcement-inspired Blue Line Cigar.
Jack Bridson, co-owner of Frontline Cigars, stated:
“The Green Line DEFENDER is draped in a silky Mexican San Andreas Maduro wrapper with Candela on the head and foot only. The Candela head and foot is Frontline Cigars’ way to pay respect to the men and women of our Armed Forces. The binder and filler are Nicaraguan from Esteli and Jalapa, with a touch of Ligero to give it a nice kick.“
The Frontline Cigars DEFENDER includes Candela on the head and foot only. The Candela head and foot is Frontline Cigars’ way to pay respect to the men and women of our Armed Forces.
The Frontline Defender is hand crafted in Nicaragua by Tabacalera La Familia, which is owned and operated by the Don Rafa cigar family.
Frontline Cigars describes the blend of the DEFENDER as:
- Wrapper – Mexican San Andreas Maduro with Candela on the head and foot only
- Binder – Nicaraguan
- Filler – Nicaraguan (Esteli and Jalapa)
The company describes the DEFENDER as a medium to full bodied cigar and will be offered in four vitolas, each packaged in 25-count bundles:
- Corona (5 x 42) – MSRP $5.85
- Robusto (5 x 50) – MSRP $6.85
- Toro (6 x 52) – MSRP $7.85
- Gordo (6 x 60) – MSRP $9.85
For this review I sampled three Frontline Defender Robustos that I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press. Frontline Cigars is a sponsor of Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Frontline Defender has a dark brown and toothy wrapper along with a touch of candela on the head and foot. There was not much aroma detected along the barrel but the foot exuded a mild butter cracker note. The cigar is solidly packed from head to foot.
The Defender is adorned with a single band that uses a black, white, and green motif. The company’s logo is proudly centered along with a green border around the shield. A thick green bar runs across the sides of the band with the white words “DEFENDER” and “FRONTLINE CIGARS” on the right side.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder and gave the Defender a few cold draw puffs that I found to be good with restriction and offered pepper and herbal sweetness notes.
Using my double flame torch, I warmed the foot which took to the heat quickly as I drew in the first puffs of what I would describes and Cubanesque floral notes. Follow along as I break to the Frontline Cigars Defender and burn it to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- First puffs deliver a light Cubanesque floral note to start the journey
- A light grey and solid ash forms on top of a medium and wavy char line
- Full volume of thick creamy smoke
- White pepper notes join the profile early
- Once past the candela foot an enticing popcorn aroma enters (think about the lobby of a movie theater)
- Chocolate notes begin to evolve along with an interesting lime citrus note that graces the palate
- Ash fell after the first third, revealing a fairly centered flat burn cone
- Slight off burn develops but does not require a touch up
- Savory spice and caramel notes keep the journey interesting
- Aroma shifts to a toasted cracker aroma
- Natural sweetness and herbal notes join the mix deep in the second third
- Spice increases down to nub
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 20 minutes
Overall, the Frontline Cigars Defender Robusto delivered on flavor and aroma from foot to nub with a fairly complex set of notes including some unique lime and popcorn. I felt the flavor was well balanced and transitioned well. It did have a slight off burn that did not require a touch up and a flaky ash once it got into the second half. At a price point of $6.85, this is one I would suggest grabbing a bundle of and let some age. I rate this a 91.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn; (-1) Slight Off Burn; (-1) Flat Burn Cone; (-1) Flaky Ash
Bonus Points: (+1) Buy A Bundle
