Back in October of 2022, RVGN Rauchvergnügen and Raumzeit, announced the Weltschmerz – the third regular blend in the company’s portfolio. Weltschmerz is the second blend engineered within their partnership with Claudio Sgroi.
The company notes:
“Weltschmerz is German for “a feeling of melancholy and world-weariness“. It’s a cigar for the darker moments of life. The cigar is dark, the aromas complex, the feeling soothing. The company describes the aromatic experience of Weltschmerz as “Back in the rolling hills of home. The oven still warm, childhood memories in the air. All is well.”
The Weltschmerz is a long filler, hand rolled cigar by Tabacalera Tambor in Nicaragua with a blend described as:
- Wrapper: Ecuador – Habano Oscuro
- Binder: Nicaragua – Jalapa
- Filler: Nicaragua – Esteli & Jalapa
Weltschmerz is expressed in two vitolas and come packaged in 20-count boxes:
- Robusto (5“ x 50) – MSRP US$12 / €12
- Perfecto (5.5“ x 54) – MSRP US$14 / €14
For this review I sampled one Weltschmerz Robusto which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The German Engineered Cigars Weltschmerz features a dark reddish-brown wrapper that has a fine oily sheen and a mild toothiness (grit) to the touch. The cigar feels firmly packed and show no signs of soft spots and is rolled well. There are a few noticeable veins running along the barrel and a wide double cap finishes the construction.
A single large outer sleeve adorns the cigar which uses a simple black and white motif. The name “WELTSCMERZ” is boldly printed across the sleeve with a horizontal black line through the name separating the letters. The phrase “GERMN ENGINEERED CIGARS” is printed below.
Running Weltschmerz along the nose, I picked up a bright floral citrus aroma along the barrel and a distinct honey suckle note off the foot with a touch of nut.
Using my CigarMedics Baller cutter, I opened the cap perfectly and gave it some cold draw puffs that graced the palate with a growing pepper note and a hint of earth. the draw I found to be excellent with just the right amount of restriction.
With the pre-light examination much to my liking, I used my double flame torch to warm the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first burst of peppery smoke to start the journey. Follow along as burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Black Peppery burst starts the journey especially on the retro-hale
- A white ash forms on top of a decent medium thick char line
- Walnut notes quickly enter as the pepper pulls back a notch
- A pleasant fruity floral aroma wafts off the foot
- As I was hoping, delicious honey notes join the early profile and a terrific balance to the smoke
- Ash gets a bit flaky in the first third
- The draw has been sooth the smoke volume was mouth filling
- Ash fell in a nice chunk revealing a well-formed burn cone
- Continued honey notes with added mouthwatering citrus peel appear in the second third
- The aroma shifts to more of a graham cracker aroma
- A hint of dry cocoa powder adds to the pleasure as rich spice note joins deep in the second third
- A subtle mint notes adds to the profile in the final third
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1hour and 30 minutes
Final Analysis
I have to say, this latest release from German Engineered Cigars – the Weltschmerz – was a stellar example of how a young cigar company has evolved over the years. The cigar started with a sensational burst of black pepper to set the journey in motion, that was particularly invigorating the retro-hale. In a swift and delightful manner, walnut notes gracefully make their entrance, seamlessly harmonizing with a slightly mellowed pepper sensation. As if to enchant the senses further, a pleasant and alluring fruity floral aroma delicately wafts off the foot.
Just as I anticipated, the delectable honey notes gracefully intertwine with the initial flavor profile, providing an exquisite and flawless balance to the smoke. The ash, while displaying a touch of fragility, retains its allure, occasionally flaking during the first third, but remaining a testament to the cigar’s overall quality. The draw offered a voluminous and satisfying amount of smoke, effortlessly filling the mouth with every puff.
As the journey progresses into the second third, the honey notes persist, accompanied by an added element of citrus peel that tantalizes the palate, leaving it irresistibly watering. The aroma subtly transitions into a delightful essence reminiscent of freshly baked graham crackers, further enhancing the overall sensory experience. To add to the already delightful array of flavors, a gentle hint of dry cocoa powder emerges, bringing an additional layer of pleasure, while a luxuriously rich spice note gracefully joins the ensemble deep into the second third, elevating the complexity and allure of the cigar.
As the final third commences, a subtle yet refreshing note of mint joins the flavor profile, imparting a unique and invigorating twist. This final addition adds depth and intrigue to the overall experience, leaving a lasting impression on the discerning palate. This is certainly a box buy and I rate this a solid 96.
Point Deductions: (-1) Flaky Ash Early in the burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Excellent Burn Line; (+1) Box Worthy; (+1) Complex and Well Balanced in Flavors and Aromas
