How many Beatles fan are out there in the cigar world? I would venture to think there are quite a few. Two of them, the father and son duo from Serino Cigars (Anthony and Carson) are known to be huge fans. Now you may be wondering, why does that matter? Well when it comes to naming cigars there are a few out there that have as their genesis a reference to music. Crowned Heads is famous for it.
Now enter Serino Cigars. The company’s latest release at the end of 2021 got named the “Elenor Rose“, which happens to be a homage to the senior Serino’s favorite song from the Beatles Revolver album “Elenor Rigby”. It is fun to note that the Revolver album also had the iconic Yellow Submarine recorded on it and both of those songs were both pressed onto a double “A” single, as Producer George Martin felt both songs should be played on the radio. As for me I was a big fan of the song “Tomorrow Never Knows” but to each there own.
I feel the album was a major break away from their earlier works and show their ability to branch into more diverse musical composition. There was a lot of experimentation with non conventional Rock & Roll instruments, not to mention and most would agree, it was a branch into Psychedelic music of the mid to late 1960’s. Sadly, the album was released a week before their final tour, though they did produce 6 more studio albums between 1966 and 1970.
So with that history it makes sense that Serino Cigar Company would launch a new division called Studio Serino with a focus on the use of unique tobaccos, alternate packaging, and vitolas different from their core lines.
As for the cigar – the Elenor Rose has a blend described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadoran Habano 2000 Rosado
- Binder – Nicaraguan (Jalapa)
- Filler – Nicaraguan (Esteli), Peru, and Pennsylvania
The blend is expressed in three vitolas each packaged in 10-count bundles and boxes.
- Lady 48 (5 ¾ x 48) – MSRP $8.75
- Revolver (5 ¾ x 54) – MSRP $8.95
- The Eagle (5 ⅝ x 50) – MSRP $9.25
I understand that the name “The Eagle” is a reference to the song “And Your Bird Can Sing” which is the younger Serino’s favorite song. That leaves the lone vitola “Lady 48” it could be a reference to “Lady Madonna” but that is not on the Revolver Album. So perhaps team Serino can shed light on this.
As for this review, I sampled two of the Studio Serino Elenor Rose – Revolvers.
Pre-Light Examination
The Studio Serino Elenor Rose – Revolver is a beautifully constructed cigar that sports a reddish brown wrapper that has some noticeable veins running through the leaf. The cigar feels solidly packed with no soft spots detected. A well applied triple cap with a twist finish completes the presentation.
The Studio Serino Elenor Rose – Revolver is adorned with a single band that boldly displays a red rose in the center along with the word “ELENOR” on top and “ROSE” on the bottom. Faintly printed in gold, running vertically between the two words, is the reference to “STUDIO SERINO”
Running the barrel along the nose, I detected an inviting baking spice note and when moving to the foot the nose is greeted with notes of sweet cracker and cocoa that I found to be a rather scrumptious initiation to this cigar.
I used “The Baller” cutter from CigarMedics to open the cap – which is my new go-to cutter. Once opened I proceeded to a give it a few cold draw puffs that I found to be perfect in restriction and offered a mild pepper that begins to grow the more you cold puff and is joined with a touch of natural sweetness and a background layer of fruit.
Using my double flame torch I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of peppery spice and leather. Follow along as I burn this on to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial notes start with peppery spice and leather
- Light grey ash forms on top of a slightly wavy, medium thick, char line
- Cream notes round out the early profile setting the stage for what’s to come
- Cedar notes join after half inch of burn adding a nice dimension to the profile
- Ash fell in a solid chunk revealing a flat and slightly off centered burn cone
- Citrus fruit notes and espresso join the mix keeping the palate interested
- Slight off burn develops but eventually finds its way
- Cream and coffee take center stage in the profile
- Spice adds to the profile deep in the second third
- Peppery notes begin to evolve in the final
- Medium to full in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes
Final Analysis
The Studio Serino Elenor Rose – Revolver offered a very pleasant and moderately complex array of flavors throughout its 90 minute journey. The profile was nicely balanced with a delicate sweet cream and nuances of espresso and fruit. The strength does move up on this as your smoke it ending in a medium to full at the end and there is a resurgence of peppery notes in the final. The burn was decent though it did have a slight off burn after the first ash fall but never needed a touch up. I would say this is worth grabbing a fiver of and I personally would want to try this blend in “The Eagle” vitola. I rate this a 91.
Point Deductions: (-1) Jagged burn; (-1) Off Burn; (-1) Flat Burn Cone; (-1) Off Centered Burn Cone
Bonus Points: (+1) Complex and Balanced
