Today I would like to offer review of new cigar from a new cigar company – Liars Bench Cigar Co – The Optimist. The company was founded in 2023. They have a decent retail presence in the state of Georgia.
Talking about his inaugural release – The Optimist – Liars Bench Cigars founder, Tyler Deady notes:
“Every town has one, even if it isn’t carved from wood: a “liar’s bench”. It might be outside a general store, down by the docks, or in the far corner of the local greasy spoon.
It’s where locals trade stories, stretch the truth, and pass down the kind of wisdom that never shows up in books. You don’t need to earn a seat but you better bring something worth sharing.
Liars Bench Cigar Co. was born from that spirit. To spark conversation and honor the stories that make us who we are.
And that’s no lie.“
The Liars Bench Cigar Co – The Optimist has a blend described as:
- Wrapper – San Andres
- Binder – Dominican Republic
- Filler – Dominican Republic
The cigar is expressed in a (5 x 52) Robusto and has an MSRP of $13.00/cigar. The come packaged in 10-count boxes.
The Liars Bench – The Optimist is hand crafted at Tabacalera La Isla in the Dominican Republic.
For this review, I sampled 3 of The Optimist cigars, which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Liars Bench – The Optimist is draped with a toothy, dark brown oily wrapper. The packing is firm with no soft spots detected. The wrapper exhibits minimal veins. Construction is completed with a well applied cap.
A single band adorns the cigar. It proudly displays the company logo along with a park bench seating three friends. The name “The Optimist” is declared on the bottom in white font on a blue background. There is also the phrase “Memento Vivere” which translates from Latin to “Remember to Live”
Running “The Optimist” across the nose, I was greeted with very mild barnyard notes along the barrel. The foot presented similar notes.
I straight cut the cigar and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that offers a crushed black pepper tingle on the lips, there is also a cream note lurking in the background.
I warmed the foot with my dual flame torch bringing it to an even orange glow and dew in the first pepper and cocoa sensation to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Pepper and cocoa start the journey but the early profile does have a harsh bite to start and a tad tannic (dry)
- A pleasant nutty aroma wafts off the foot
- Slight grapefruit rind bitterness in the early burn
- A light grey ash forms on top of a medium thick and wavy char line
- Full volume of thick creamy smoke off each puff
- Floral notes join the mix, early in the journey, as the nut aroma increases
- Savory spice swirls in near end of first third
- Ash dropped revealing a well-formed burn cone
- Rich dark chocolate notes and fruit join the mix moving into the second third
- earthy notes
- Buttery notes and chocolate deep in second third
- A touch of dry fruit tantalizes the palate moving through the second third
- Profile smooths out nicely in the final third with notes of creamy chocolate
- Medium in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes
Final Analysis
This Liars Bench Cigar Co – The Optimist was a bit of a journey, starting with some tannic harshness and citrus bitterness but ultimately evolving into a smooth and flavorful smoke. The transitions were plentiful—floral, spice, chocolate, fruit, and buttery notes all made appearances—demonstrating solid complexity. Construction was mostly good, with a wavy burn at times but an overall well-formed cone and consistent smoke production. The final third, with its creamy chocolate finish, was the highlight of the experience. For those willing to work through a rough opening, the payoff is rewarding and satisfying. I would say grab a fiver of these. I rate this a 91.
Point Deductions: (-1) Harsh Tannic Notes to Start; (-1)Flat but centered burn cone (-1) Wavy Char Line
