Continuing with the Tabac Trading Co. Trifecta line of cigars, today I present a review of the “Green Label” which uses Brazilian Mata Fina and Indonesian Sumatra wrappers. For this review, I sampled two of the same cigars but smoked each one from a different side to see how it burned and tasted. As in previous Trifecta reviews, the results are as interesting as the cigar itself. I want to thank Patrick Potter, founder of Tabac Trading Co., for sending me some samples for this experience.
To start this review off, lets discuss the blend for this cigar:
- Wrapper – Brazilian Mata Fina and Indonesian Sumatra
- Binder – Cameroon
- Filler – Jalapa Seco, Criollo 98′ Viso and Esteli Ligero
The MUESTRA de TABAC Trifecta is expressed in a single 5.5 x 64 perfecto and comes packaged in a 45-count display box that holds 15 of each blend. Retailers can also purchase refill bundles of a blend.
MSRP is set at $13.00/cigar plus state taxes. In Patrick’s state of California, they retail for $16.50.
Pre-Light Experience
The Tabac Trading Co. Trifecta Green label follows the others in the line as being a unique and innovative vitola. It has two wrappers on it – Brazilian Mata Fina and Indonesian Sumatra. The cigar is well constructed with a dark brown and slightly veiny wrapper on one end and a smooth golden tan and slightly oily wrapper on the other end. It is firm to the touch and has a decent weight in the hand. The Sumatra side has a bit more taper at the end than the Brazilian side.
Like all the blends in the Trifecta line, a single band adorns the cigar and is placed in the center of the figuardo, splitting the Brazilian from the Sumatra. The band uses a gold and green motif with the the gold name “TRIFECTA” printed on a green background on both sides of the band. The company’s logo is embossed, sideways, around the center of the band.
Running the Trifecta Green Label along the nose I picked up cocoa and sweetness along the barrel and a hint of caramel off the foot on the Sumatra side but not much off the Brazilian foot.
The cold draw had a fine restriction regardless of which end I started with. Puffing on the Sumatra side I picked up a light spice while the Brazilian side offered a cedar note.
Follow along I smoke through two samples of the Trifecta Green Label. One where I lit the Sumatra side and the other where I lit the Brazilian side.
Cigar Review Notes – Lit Brazilian End
- Initial light offers woody cedar notes
- Medium volume of smoke
- Light grey ash forms a medium char line with a slight jag
- Smoke volume begins to increase once past the tapered foot
- Dry fruit notes start to develop
- Hint of cinnamon spice wraps the fruit well
- I found the retro-hale to be quite smooth
- Pleasant sweet aroma wafts off the foot
- Ash fell revealing an off centered burn cone
- Getting close to midway, the spice increases with an added caramel note
- Aroma gets a bit more floral moving into the Sumatra side
- Sweetness builds well in the background
- Lingering spice lays on the palate
- Sweet cream and coffee take it to the nub
- Strength finished at medium-full
Cigar Review Notes – Lit Sumatra End
- Creamy cocoa and caramel notes start the journey
- Light grey ash forms and straight burn line
- Floral citrus notes add to the profile
- Delicate natural sweetness builds
- Slight off burn develops
- Mild spice joins the mix deep in the first half
- Fruit notes enter as it crosses the midway point
- Sweet aroma
- Cedar and spice develop and take it to the end
Summary
Overall, the Tabac Trading Company Trifecta Brazilian/Sumatra was a flavorful journey regardless of which side you lit. If I was to choose a side I would give the Brazilian side the edge as I felt the flavors developed slightly more than the Sumatra side. Both sides developed some off burns but never needed a touch-up but here I give the edge to the Sumatra side as it started straight. I rate this a 91 either way you smoke it.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wave in burn; (-1) Slight Off Burn; (-1) Off Centered Burn Cone
