In late 2023, Lovely Cigars announced their second release paying tribute to the cigarmakers of Green Bay, Wis. The new release is known as the No. 162, which pays homage to Local 162, the union that represented Green Bay’s cigarmakers. The line is a throwback to the early 20th century and the cigarmakers of Green Bay.
The blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Sumatra
- Binder – Sumatran
- Filler – Nicaragua
The Lovely Cigars No. 162 is expressed in three vitolas, each packaged in 20-count boxes:
- Robusto (5 x 50) – MSRP $10.50
- Churchill (6.5 x 48) – MSRP $11.00
- Corona (5 5/8 x 46) – MSRP $10.00
The company notes that they are hand made in Nicaragua at Tacasa S.A. in Esteli
For this review I sampled 3 of the Lovely Cigars No. 162 Churchills which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Lovely Cigars 162 is cloaked in a milk chocolate brown wrapper with a light oily sheen a just a few veins. The cigar is fairly well packed with a little extra give near the foot. A simple cap completes the construction.
A single band adorns the cigar. It is the same as the original using an artful design incorporating a number of embellishments and symbology and the name “LOVELY” embossed in gold on a white background in the center of the band. The back of the band state “Hand Made Nicaragua”.
Running the cigar across the nose I picked up some basic baking spice notes along the barrel and a touch of barnyard and fruit off the foot.
Using my CigarMedics Baller cutter I opened to open the cap just right and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs. The restriction was right on while the palate was graced with notes of growing pepper and a nuance of graham cracker.
I warmed the foot to an even orange glow using my single, soft flame lighter and drew in the first peppery blast of smoke to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- The initial light awakens the nose with a burst of peppery spice
- A light grey ash forms on top of a thin even char line
- As the pepper pulls back a notch there are nuances of butter cracker and dried fruit
- Decent burn cone is revealed once the ash falls
- Subtle natural tobacco sweetness adds to the pleasure in both flavor and aroma
- Spice joins the profile in second third
- The sweetness grows a bit moving through the second third
- Burn gets jagged
- Flavors stay fairly consistent down to the final
- Mild to Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1hour and 30 minutes
Final Analysis
The Lovely Cigars No. 162 Churchill starts the journey by stirring the senses with an explosion of peppery zest. As the pepper retreats, a symphony of flavors emerges—hints of buttery crackers intermingled with the essence of -dried fruits tantalize the palate. With each gentle fall of ash, a well-formed cone of burn reveals itself, promising a smooth and even journey ahead. A subtle sweetness enriches both the taste and the aroma, heightening the pleasure of the experience. As the second third unfolds, the spice rejoins the ensemble, adding depth to the profile. Meanwhile, the sweetness gradually intensifies, evolving throughout the midsection. The flavors do not evolve, much at all, in the second half though the sweetness from the Sumatra leaf is certainly there. This is a fine morning cigar, and I would say pick up a fiver and check them out. I rate this a 91.
Point Deductions: (-1) Slightly more squishy on the foot (pre-light); (-1) Jagged Burn in Second half; (-1) Rather one dimensional in second half
