Today I would like to present my review of one of three new cigar introductions from Tabacalera Caballeros. Known as the Papolo, it is a limited-edition cigar that pays tribute to family legacy.
Tabacalera Caballeros Co-owner, Christian Quintana explained the meaning behind the name Papolo:
“The PAPOLO Cigar is a unique creation that honors Cayetano Quintana, a man whose passion for tobacco shaped the direction of an entire family. Introducing me to the world of tobacco at the age of 10, his legacy lives on through this exceptional blend. the PAPOLO Cigar is not only a tribute to tradition but also to the love for tobacco that Cayetano Quintana shared with his family.“
The company describes the blend as:
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Cameroon
- Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
- Filler: Undisclosed (4 different leaves from 4 different tobacco growing countries)
The cigar is expressed in a single, boxed pressed, (5 1/4 x 57) vitola. They come packaged in 10-count boxes with a limit of 100 boxes. The company has set an MSRP of around $15.00 – $16.00 per cigar. They are handcrafted at the company’s Tabacalera Caballeros factory in Tamboril, Dominican Republic.
For this review, I sampled 3 of these cigars that were provided by the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Tabacalera Caballeros Papolo is a decently-constructed box pressed cigar that sports a medium brown wrapper that has some light toothiness to it. The seams are noticeable and there are a few minor blemishes on the wrapper but overall it devoid of large veins. The packing is good with just a slight give when pressed between the fingers. Construction is completed with a well applied triple cap.
The samples I received for this review did not have the bands yet but company co-owner, Marco Accardi, send me a photo of one he had with the band on them, which prominently displays an image of Papolo in the center of the band. The date 1948 is his birth year.
Running the cigar along the nose, the barrel offered an enticing sweet curing barn aroma while the foot exudes caramel sweetness and a tingle of peppery spice.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that delivered notes of peppery spice that wraps the palate and grows into more of a sweet cinnamon spice the more you cold draw.
I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of cream and earthy notes to start the journey. Follow along as a burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Creamy earthy notes start the journey
- A solid light grey ash forms on top of a thin slightly jagged char line
- Quickly, caramel sweetness joins the mix all delivered through a thick creamy smoke
- The draw is smooth and delivers full volumes of smoke on each puff
- A delicate spice joined with tangy citrus adds to the pleasure moving into the second third
- The long ash finally dropped, revealing a well-formed burn cone
- There is a nutty aroma wafting off the foot with an added natural sweetness on the palate
- Ash gets a bit flaky after the ash drop down to the final
- The smooth transitions carry down to the final with notes of cream, cinnamon and coffee
- Medium in strength – Full in Body
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 35 minutes
Final Analysis
The Tabacalera Caballeros Papolo journey begins with rich, creamy, earthy notes that gently set the stage. Soon, a wave of caramel sweetness emerges, intertwining with the creamy smoke that fills the air, enveloping the senses. Each draw is smooth, delivering generous volumes of smoke with every puff. As the cigar progresses into the second third, a delicate spice is introduced, harmonizing with a zesty, tangy citrus that adds complexity and depth to the experience. The long ash finally drops, revealing a well-formed burn cone beneath. A nutty aroma rises from the foot, accompanied by a subtle natural sweetness that lingers on the palate. The smooth transitions continue, bringing forth elegant flavors of cream, cinnamon, and rich coffee, culminating in a satisfying. This is worth a box buy. I rate this a 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Slightly jagged char line; (-1) Flaky ash in second half
Bonus Points: (+1) Extreme Ash; (+1) Pleasurable and Consistent across multiple samples; (+1) Box buy
