Today I would like to offer a review of another fine cigar from Traficante Cigars – the Traficante Misfortune. This review is based on a sample I received as part of a cigar exchange from the Frontline Lounge Members Only Facebook Group. Members that want to participate receive a travel humidor in the mail that is filled with cigars, you then take what you want and replace with cigars of equal or better value and then send to the next recipient on the list. It is a fun program and when I received the package two of the cigars were craft from Traficante Cigars. If you recall, last month I reviewed the other cigar I received in that package the Traficante El Chapo.
Traficante Cigars is truly a boutique cigar company as explained on the company’s website:
“Traficante Cigar Company was founded in 2015 and represents what we have seen and experienced in the Narco-Culture. We have no intention of being a major player in the cigar industry, but prefer to keep the brand(s) exclusive and unique.“
Traficante Cigars describes the Misfortune Red Label blend as:
- Wrapper – Sumatra (Maduro)
- Binder – Un-Disclosed
- Filler -Dominican and Nicaragua
Though originally available in only a (5 x 50) robusto vitola, with an MSRP of $8.50/cigar – the company notes they are ‘Now available in multiple Vitolas, we will ship the Vitola that is currently in stock when the order is placed.’ The company does not disclose the factory or country of origin of their cigars.
Pre-Light Examination
The Traficante Misfortune is a well constructed, medium tan cigar that has minimal veins and a light oily sheen. There are some blemishes in the wrapper and a few bumps along the barrel. The cigar is decently packed. I will note that a little squeeze demonstrated only a minor give in the middle of the barrel, which did not have any impact on performance, as you will read. A well applied triple cap finishes the presentation.
Like most Traficante Cigars, the Misfortune is a naked cigar (no band), but instead uses a carboard “dog tag” to brand the blend. In the case of the Misfortune, it is a square diamond shaped tag that proudly displays the name “MISFORTUNE” on the top and just below, a red skeleton head and hands hold an eye in the center of the hands.
Running the Traficante Misfortune along the nose, I did not detect much aroma off the barrel but the foot exuded a sweet dry fruit note.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and proceeded to take some cold draw puffs that were nicely restricted and offered what I would describe as an exotic spice. I could not put my finger on that note but it was unique and had caught my attention, so I puffed a little longer enjoying the pre-light flavor.
My dual flame torch did the trick to warm the foot to an even orange glow as I drew in the first puffs of that same exotic spice. I was truly looking forward to smoking what I hoped would be another gem from Traficante Cigars. Follow along as I burn the Traficante Misfortune to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- First puffs offered a mild exotic spice
- After a few puffs note of light oak and citrus rind add to the profile
- White ash forms on top of a well formed medium thick char line
- Smoke is smooth, full in volume, and the draw is perfect
- A mild wave in the burn forms but does not need a touchup
- Natural sweetness adds to the citrus giving me the sensation of a citrus like candy
- Spice and coffee notes are predominate starting the second third
- Ash fell in a nice solid chunk revealing a well formed burn cone
- Pleasant nut aroma wafts off the foot
- Mouth watering spice increases midway
- Consistent spice through second third and down to the nub
- Mild to Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 20 minutes
Overall, the Traficante Cigars Misfortune Robusto was a pleasant mild to medium strength smoking experience. Though not overly complex, it did have a pleasant core of exotic spice throughout the journey that was nicely accented with notes of citrus and sweetness along with nuances of oak, coffee, and nut. The burn was quite good through the journey with just a mild wave in the burn. This is worth grabbing a five pack of when they are available again. You can purchase Traficante Cigars from exclusive retailers listed on their site here. I rate this a 92.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Wave; (-1) Not Complex (kind of one dimensional in the second half)
