Today I offer the next review in a series of Grouchy Monkey Cigar Co. cigar reviews. The small premium cigar company began its journey in the premium cigar market with the Jungleland Habano which is the focus of today’s review.
The company notes:
“The Jungleland Toro Habano Grouchy Monkey Cigar is a premium, handcrafted cigar that offers a bold and flavorful smoking experience with a twist of personality. “
The Grouchy Monkey Cigar Co. Jungleland Habano has a blend described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Habano
- Binder – Habano
- Filler – Jalapa and Condega
The blend is expressed in 2 popular vitolas:
- (6 x 54) Box Press Toro – Packaged in 10-count boxes and 3-packs with an MSRP of $12.99/cigar
- (5 x 50) Robusto Toro box – Packaged in 11-count boxes with an MSRP of $12.99/cigar
The company further notes:
“The distinctive “Grouchy Monkey” band adds a playful edge to this sophisticated smoke, symbolizing both the spirit of adventure and a hint of mischief. The Jungleland Habano Grouchy Monkey Cigar is crafted for those who enjoy a refined smoke with a bold attitude, making it an excellent choice for special occasions or unwinding after a long day.“
Like all Grouchy Monkey Cigar blends, the Jungleland Habano was blended and handcrafted by Miguel Pinto who owns the MGE factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.
For this review I sampled one of the Jungleland Habano Grouchy Monkey Cigar toros which I received from the company for the purpose of rating on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Grouchy Monkey Cigar Co. Jungleland Habano BP Toro exhibits a medium brown wrapper with a matte finish. There is some decent marbling through the wrapper along with a few noticeable veins. The box press is crisp and the packing seems firm to the pinch. A nicely applied cap finishes the construction.
A single blue, gold and white band adorns the cigar. It boldly displays the company’s logo on top. Just below the logo, the band defines this as the habano blend of the Jungleland series.
Running the cigar across the nose, I picked up fresh floral and spice notes along the barrel while the foot exudes savory notes.
Once I sliced the cap, straight across the shoulder of the cigar, I gave it some cold draw puffs that presented a touch of black pepper notes along with savory umami notes. The draw felt spot on with regards to restriction.
Using my dual flame torch, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of gentle black pepper to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Gentle black pepper starts the journey
- A light grey ash form on top of a thin char line
- The introductory profile is further enhanced with a slight cracker note
- Natural sweetness pleasantly rounds out the profile
- Ash fell in a good chunk revealing a well formed burn cone
- Deep in the first third there are creamy notes evolving
- The burn is getting jagged in the second third
- Cocoa notes add to the enjoyment – moving through second third – especially on retrohale
- Midway through the burn there are brighter fruit notes with a bitter finish
- Dry leather notes evolve
- Deep in the second third the fruit notes are more forward but with a touch of spice down to the final
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 35 minutes
Final Analysis
Gentle black pepper opens the journey of the Grouchy Monkey Cigar Co. Jungleland Habano BP Toro, offering a restrained and balanced introduction. Subtle cracker notes enhance the early profile. Natural sweetness follows, pleasantly rounding out the opening flavors. The ash soon drops in a solid chunk, revealing a well-formed and centered burn cone beneath. Deep into the first third, creamy notes begin to evolve, softening the profile nicely. As the cigar transitions into the second third, the burn becomes slightly jagged, though it remains manageable. Cocoa notes emerge and add to the enjoyment, showing particularly well on the retrohale. Around the midpoint, brighter fruit notes come forward, though they carry a slightly bitter edge on the finish. Dry leather notes begin to develop, adding a more rugged dimension to the blend. Deep into the second third and moving through the final, the fruit notes become more forward, now accompanied by a touch of spice. These flavors carry through consistently down to the finish, closing out the cigar with a balance of fruit, leather, and restrained spice. This is certainly worth grabbing a fiver of. I rate this a 93.
Point Deductions: (-1) Jagged burn; (-1) Tad Bitter midway
Bonus Points: (+1) Pleasurably Complex
