The story of the Rooster Smokehouse is one of 4 brothers of the leaf deciding to open a cigar lounge, but due to COVID Pandemic they pulled back from that dream and instead turned their focus to making a line of cigars. Thier initial releases, known as the Founders Line are named for each of their professions (Accountant, Architect, Entrepeneur, Genius). The blends of these initial cigars represent their individual personalities.
I was introduced to The Rooster Smokehouse team at this year’s PCA, by Monique Jones, the CEO of MoJo Consulting and Training. The Rooster Smokehouse team is one of her clients.
Today I would like to introduce you to The Rooster Smokehouse Genius blend, named for co-founder Wayne C Gaskin Jr., who is Architectural Designer, Photographer, Soccer Coach, Husband, and Father. Wayne says the Genius blend evokes his leathery, and spicy nature, or so he has been told.
The Genius cigar blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Connecticut
- Binder – Dominican Republic
- Filler – Dominican Republic
The GENIUS is expressed in a single (6.5 x 52) torpedo vitola and comes packaged in 20-count boxes with an MSRP of $13.00/cigar. While the company builds its brand, you can get these off their website or at any of their retail accounts.
The cigars are handcrafted at La Tradicion Cubana owned by Luis Sanchez in Miami, FL.
The sample I reviewed was given to me by the team at PCA and been resting in my humidor for a couple of months since returning from the show.
Pre-Light Examination
The Rooster Smokehouse – The Genius is wrapped with a fairly smooth, medium tan leaf, that exhibits just a few veins and has decent seams. The cigar has a firm bunch and roll with no discernable soft spots along the barrel. The torpedo cap is well applied.
Two bands adorn the cigar. Both bands use a red, black, and silver motif, with the primary band displaying the company logo and name along with declaring it as the GENIUS. The secondary band displays the company statement “WHERE DO YOU ROOST” along with “EST 2020”. I have been told they will rebrand the company as RSH CIGARS going forward.
Running The Genius along the nose, I did not pick up much aroma along barrel, but the foot offered earthy notes.
Once I opened the cap, with a straight cut about a half inch down from the tip, I gave it some cold draw puffs that I felt was nicely restricted and offered immediate leather notes along with a hint of nutmeg and earth.
I used a lit cedar spill to warm the foot gently with the soft flame, bringing it to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of nut and pepper. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial lit puffs offered a pleasant nut and pepper sensation
- There is a pleasant natural sweetness building early in the journey with a touch of leather
- A solid, light grey ash forms on top of a thin slightly wavy char line
- Citrus rind joins the profile in the first third
- The solid ash drops in a small chunk revealing a decent burn cone
- Initial nut starts to transform into cashew approaching the second third
- The burn has straightened out nicety
- The citrus rind fades and as a pleasant plum note joins the already enticing profile
- Moving close to the final third, the early sweet note has delicately morphed into a sweet vanilla cream
- Pleasant profile maintained down to the nub
- Mild to Medium in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 20 minutes
Final Analysis
From the first lit draw, The Rooster Smokehouse – The Genius Torpedo opens with an inviting medley of warm, toasty nuts and a gentle dusting of black pepper—subtle yet assertive. As the smoke begins to unfold, a natural sweetness develops, mellow and rounded, accented by a whisper of leather that adds both depth and intrigue to the early experience. Deep in first third, a bright note of bitter citrus rind emerges, offering a zesty lift that plays against the deeper, earthier undertones.
The initial nutty character gradually evolves, becoming smoother and more refined, reminiscent of fresh cashew as the second third approaches. The flavor profile continues to grow in complexity. The citrus zest begins to fade, making way for a rich and unexpected plum note—soft, dark, and slightly tart.
As the final third draws near, the early sweetness gently transforms into a vanilla cream, delicate and soothing like the finish of a well-aged rum. This evolving symphony of flavor persists down to the nub, where the profile remains engaging —a satisfying conclusion to a pleasant smoking experience.
Wayne (The Genius) says to pair this with an aged rum. This is worth a box buy. I rate this a 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Slight wave in the first third; (-1) Bitter citrus early in the burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Buy; (+1) Complex Evolving Profile
