In late 2022, Lampert Cigars released a new blend into the market; The Ocean Breeze Robusto Grande. The company says the OCEAN BREEZE embodies the Costa Rican philosophy of Pura Vida. Smooth, effortless, relaxing, and delicious, this cigar offers a phenomenal experience.
The Lampert Cigars website explains the genesis of the Ocean Breeze:
“The initial idea to create his own cigar brand crossed Stefan’s mind in 2016 during a vacation in Thailand. Like many other vacationers, Stefan made use of the wide range of tailored suits on the market and wanted to transfer this concept of the tailored suit to a cigar. With his brand, he wanted to give customers the opportunity to create their very own handmade premium cigars as if in a laboratory, which is why he named his first cigar line MY CIGAR LAB.
Because the MY CIGAR LAB line was so well received in the cigar world, Stefan was determined to create a cigar that would take cigar aficionados further on his vacation trip. After trying various tobacco blends, one particular blend stuck out among the rest– the one with the salty taste. The salty notes of this cigar’s unique blend reminded Stefan of the sea, leading him to name the cigar OCEAN BREEZE.“
A recently received a sample of the Ocean Breeze from the company, so I could pen a review of it on Stogie Press.
The Lampert Cigars Ocean Breeze has a multi-country blend that is described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Habano 2000
- Binder – Ecuador
- Filler – Nicaragua, Peru, Undisclosed Country
The Ocean Breeze is expressed in a single Robusto Grande (5 x 54) vitola that come packaged in 10-count boxes with an MSRP of $13.00/cigar.
Pre-Light Examination
I found the Lampert Cigars Ocean Breeze to be a well-constructed, bunched and rolled cigar. It has a velvety milk chocolate brown wrapper with a smooth even sheen. I found no soft spots along the barrel and it has minimal veins. A double cap completes the construction.
A single black, blue, and silver band adorns the cigar. In a script font, it states “Ocean Breeze” in the center and “By Lampert Cigars” on the bottom. I actually like the vibe I got from the artwork on the band. Having lived by the ocean my whole life, I know that ocean breeze feeling and aroma. This band evoked that feeling in me immediately.
Running the cigar along the nose, I was greeted with baking spice notes along the barrel along with an added sweetness from the foot.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that I found to offer sweetness and pepper with a touch of barnyard tang.
Using my dual flame torch, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of creamy pepper. Follow along as I burn the Ocean Breeze to ash!
Cigar Review Notes
- Black pepper and cream grace the palate off the first puff
- A white ash forms on top of a medium thick, wavy char line
- Subtle saltiness moistens the palate
- Mild cocoa powder builds in the background
- A sprinkle of nutmeg rounds out the introduction
- Moving toward the second third, a more exotic spice note (which I can’t place) enters the profile
- The early cream gets sweeter
- Cedar and leather notes join the mix, midway through the journey
- All this Olfactory delight and we forgot to speak about the ash, oh wait it is still hanging on!
- Once the ash finally drops, a well-formed burn cone is revealed
- Mineral and spice notes take this down to the end
- Smoke is a tad hot getting into the final
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 Hour and 30 Minutes
Final Analysis
The first puff of the Lampert Cigars Ocean Breeze Robusto Grande begins to reveal a symphony of flavors, with the entrance of black pepper along with and the smooth creamy richness. A subtle saltiness lingers, adding a touch of moisture to the palate, while a mild hint of cocoa powder gradually emerges in the background. A dash of nutmeg delicately rounds out the introduction. As the journey progresses into the second third, an elusive exotic spice note adds complexity to the profile, while the early cream takes on a sweeter nuance. Midway through, notes of cedar and leather intertwine, enriching the journey. Amidst this olfactory delight, the ash remains impressively intact. When it eventually drops, it reveals a well-formed burn cone. The final stretch is marked by persistent mineral and spice notes, with the smoke growing slightly hotter towards the end. I say this is a box buy. I rate this a 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Tad Hot in final; (-1) Mild Jag in Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Buy; (+1) Extreme Ash
