Today, I would like to offer my review of the War Dogs Patriot Toro from the small, but growing premium cigar company – Haze Gray Cigars. I did an interview with the team back in 2025, which you can view here.
The company’s website states:
“At Haze Gray Cigars, we live by the motto “Vets Helping Vets,” and The Patriot is our boldest statement yet. Crafted with a deep, dark Maduro wrapper and a blend of well-aged Nicaraguan fillers, this double Maduro cigar delivers a robust, medium-bodied smoking experience.
With its bold flavor and smooth finish, The Patriot is designed for those who value strength, resilience, and purpose in every draw. But The Patriot is more than just a cigar—it’s a mission. We’re proud to donate a portion of every Patriot sold to two incredible nonprofit organizations that support our veteran community: Operation Zero, dedicated to ending veteran suicide, and Operation Tackle Box , helping veterans heal through fishing and help them get on track with their benefits they are entitled to. When you light up The Patriot, you’re not just enjoying a premium cigar—you’re making a difference in the lives of those who served. Bold, meaningful, and crafted with purpose, The Patriot is a smoke for those who stand by their brothers and sisters in arms.“
The company describes this Nicaraguan puro blend as:
- Wrapper : Double Maduro Nicaraguan
- Binder : Nicaraguan
- Filler : Nicaraguan
The Haze Gray Cigars – War Dogs Patriot is expressed in a single (6 x 52) toro vitola and comes packaged in 20-count boxes with an MSRP of $13.50/cigar.
For this review, I sampled 2 of these Patriots, which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The War Dogs Patriot Toro by Haze Gray Cigars is presented in a dark brown (Oscuro) wrapper that exhibits minimal veins and a fine oily sheen. The cigar is firm to the touch. A few light pinches along the barrel shows no soft spots in the bunching. A well applied double cap completes the construction.
The cigar is adorned with two simple bands. The primary band uses a red, white, and blue motif with American flag shield in the center presenting a serviceman with his service dog. The secondary band is placed just below and declares this as the “PATRIOT”. You will also notice the patriotic eagle I am using in the photos. That was one of four that adorned the corners of my Father’s casket who was a WW2 Navy Veteran and a true patriot who loved his country.
Running the War Dogs Patriot along the nose, I noted mildly pungent notes along the barrel while the foot exuded earthy and nutlike aromas.
Once I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar, I proceeded to give it some cold draws that were spot on with restriction and offered notes of natural tobacco sweetness wrapping notes of cream and a touch of hickory.
I used my dual flame torch to warm the foot and drew in pleasant toasted cracker notes to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Toasted cracker notes start the journey
- Oodles of smoke greet the palate on each puff
- Cream notes and fruit fill out the early profile
- The first retrohale was smooth with little sting to the nostrils and offering mild roasted nuts
- Burn has been spectacular as I would describe this as a very elegant cigar through the first third
- The white “stacking dimes” ash fell in a decent chunk, revealing a well formed burn cone
- Cedar notes join the mix moving into the second third
- The aroma is like a nasal pleasing incense sweet and fragrant
- Woody and earth notes develop
- Dark chocolate evolves moving through the second third
- A mild wave in the burn deep in second third
- Continued sweet cream notes lay in the back as a mild spice enters with a nutty essence
- Getting toward the final third there is are pleasant caramel notes
- Sweet cracker notes bring it to a finish
- Medium to medium plus in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
The Haze Gray Cigars – War Dogs Patriot Toro begins the journey with toasted cracker notes, immediately setting a refined and approachable tone. A decent volume of smoke fills the palate with ease, while cream and fruit notes quickly round out the early profile. The first retrohale is notably smooth, offering little sting to the nostrils and revealing mild roasted nut nuances.
As the cigar transitions into the second third, cedar notes join the mix, adding structure and depth. The aroma becomes particularly appealing—reminiscent of a sweet, fragrant incense that’s pleasing through the nose. Woody and earthy notes begin to develop as the cigar progresses, followed by the emergence of dark chocolate through the middle of the second third. Sweet cream notes continue to linger in the background as a mild spice and nutty essence join the profile.
Approaching the final third, pleasant caramel notes surface, adding warmth and sweetness to the profile. Sweet cracker notes return to bring the cigar to a smooth and satisfying finish, closing the journey with balance and finesse. This is most certainly worth a box buy.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild wave in burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Extremely well balanced and smooth journey; (+1) Box Buy
