Drew Nicastro and his Gato Negro Cigars Co have released their second cigar release – the Gato Negro Box Pressed.
In a press release, the company notes:
“The new release marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey to redefine the art of cigar craftsmanship. Inspired by tradition and infused with innovation, this cigar embodies the essence of Gato Negro’s commitment to quality, luxury, and unparalleled smoking experiences.“
This new release is crafted by master blenders and expert rollers, at Tabacalera Las Lavas S.R.L. in the Dominican Republic. If that factory sounds familiar, it is the Casa Cuevas factory that produces some high-quality cigars including the Stogie Press 2021 Overall #1 Cigar of the Year. the Casa Cuevas Patrimonio.
Nicastro notes:
“We are thrilled to introduce this cigar as our second and largest release. With this blend, we have meticulously crafted a cigar that embodies the essence of Gato Negro – tradition, innovation, and uncompromising quality. We invite aficionados to experience the unparalleled luxury and sophistication of what Gato Negro has to offer.”
The blend is described as:
- Wrapper– San Andreas (Mexican)
- Binder– Olor (Dominican)
- Fillers– Nicaraguan (Estelí), Criollo 98 (Dominican)
It is expressed in a single (6 × 48) Box Pressed vitola which comes packaged in 10-count bundles with an MSRP of $12.50 a cigar/ $125.00 Bundle of 10. Gato Negro Cigars notes that the first run was 3,000 cigars, but further explained that this will be a regular production cigar for the company.
For this review, I sampled two of the Gato Negro Box Press cigars which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Gato Negro Cigars – Gato Negro Box Press features a dark reddish brown and gently marbled wrapper. There is not much sheen to the wrapper but rather more a matte finish. The box pressing is rather crisp and the cigar has a proper give to the barrel from head to foot. A simple cap finishes the construction.
A single band adorns the cigar. It is similar to the one was used in the company’s inaugural release, in the sense that it is gold and black and features a black cat and the “Gato Negro” boldly printed. The similarities stop there, because this time the Black Cat is leaping up not sitting down and below the logo it states “Cuban by Birth – American by the Grace of God“. Drew, I say you are making a statement with this one for sure.
Running the cigar along the nose I detected rich floral notes along the barrel with similar notes off the foot
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder with my Xikar cutter and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that I found to be nicely restricted and offered a peppery spice and sweet hickory BBQ note.
Using my double flame torch, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of flavorful mouth filling smoke. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial draw offers natural sweetness and dry leather along with a peppery retrohale
- A solid light grey ash forms on top of a thin even char line
- Thick creamy smoke fills the palate
- Tasty dry candied fruit notes enter the profile after an inch of burn
- The solid ash fell in a decent chunk and revealed a flat but centered burn cone
- A slight wave develops in the burn
- Fruity notes enter in the second third adding mouthwatering sensations
- There is a touch of nut that lays in the background with a mild orange citrus developing
- Light earthy notes develop
- Citrus begins to intensify midway through the burn along with a more savory notes
- Peppery spice remerges deep in second third down through the final wrapped with citrus
- Medium Strength
- Total Smoking Time 1 hour and 35 minutes
Final Analysis
The smooth initial draws of the Gato Negro Cigars – Gato Negro Box Press entices the palate with a harmonious blend of natural sweetness and the earthy aroma of dry leather, complemented by a peppery retrohale that awakens the senses. With each puff, thick creamy smoke envelops the palate, providing a pleasing experience. Around an inch of burn, the profile evolves, introducing delightful notes of dry candied fruit that tantalize the taste buds. Moving into the second third, mouthwatering fruity notes emerge, accompanied by a faint hint of nut and the subtle tang of mild orange citrus. Light earthy undertones emerge, further enriching the flavor profile. Midway through the burn, the citrus notes intensify, intertwining with savory elements, creating a complex interplay of flavors. As the cigar reaches its conclusion, the peppery spice resurfaces, lingering alongside the vibrant citrus notes, providing a satisfying and memorable finish to the smoking journey. This is a Box (bundle) buy for sure. I rate this a 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild wave in the burn; (-1) Flat but Centered Burn Cone
Bonus Points: (+1) Pleasant and Consistent across Multiple Samples; (+1) Box Buy
