By this time it should be no surprise that Boston Jimmie is a big Crux Cigars fan not to mention huge Boston Red Sox fan. So what do these two have in common? Not much, other than Crux has finally released to retailers their new “Sports” cigar, a beautiful little vitola packed with flavor and complexity.
Crux announced the new Sports at this years IPCPR but did not have any yet to sample.Their website explains:
Grandad loved competition and had a reputation as a tough guy. His favorite smoke was the stogie he created from several he collected from the storm drains.
They go on to say:
This is not a cigarillo or Grandad’s Frankenstein. Made from all Grade A premium tobacco, this tough guy is surprisingly complex, and packs a wallop of combustion and smoke.
I have to agree with this statement wholeheartedly, as the Crux Sports is a splendid cigar that provides just under an hour of satisfying smoke that would be perfect for the half time of the “Big Game” coming up in February or whenever you want a premium cigar and don’t have 2 hours to relax and enjoy.
The Crux Sports is available in a single 4.625 x 35 vitola and is blended from carefully selected and aged Indonesian and Nicaraguan tobaccos.
- Wrapper -Habano Jalapa
- Binder – Indonesia
- Filler = Nicaragua
That alone should entice you to try it, but examining the Crux Sports reveals a well constructed small vitola. The cigar is solid, with no soft spots along the barrel. The Jalapa wrapper is dark brown and slightly marbled with no noteworthy veins. It has a sweet tea and tobacco aroma on the foot which has me chomping at the bit to fire this little tough guy up and get the game started.
Crux Sports
I used my double blade cutter to carefully slice the well applied cap just enough to open up the draw. Taking a few cold draw puffs I note that the draw is fairly open and there is not much flavor yet there is a slight pepper burn on the lips.
I chose to use a cedar spill to fire toast the foot so that I don’t scorch it and there it is, the first hit of the game. The initial puff provides coffee and floral with a decent amount of white pepper that graces the throat and nose. So the lead off hitter gets on base, but can we get him around the bases and home?
The smoke is amazingly full for such a small ring gauge. The flavor develops well, early in the game as it morphs into a coffee and cream flavor with a hint of sweetness perhaps even a hint of honey. The retro-hale is smooth and pleasing. Ok, we have another hit and this game is starting to take shape.
The smoke takes on a touch of spice in the aroma adding to the existing floral. The light grey ash is straight and tight like a laser focused batter at the plate. The ash held for quite a bit of the early burn which is impeccable; razor-sharp with no waves.
Midway through, the aroma takes on a syrupy scent and the smoke is getting spicier on the palate with a touch of graham cracker in the warm up circle. This may be a small cigar but it is certainly not lacking flavor. This ain’t no second stringer, that’s for sure!
The spice increases considerably at the end of the second third. Maybe my mind is playing tricks but I detect a bubble gum like taste. I suppose it would be described a fruit nougat. OK, we got bases loaded and no outs! Let’s get these guys home and take control of the game.
The Crux Sports has been cool all the way to the nub, no finger burns or hot smoke. Simply amazing. The coffee note dances back in as it gets near the nub along with some sweetness. The remainder of the ash held on to the end, and there you have it; a grand slam of flavor, complexity, and construction. The strength was a solid medium, I can only imagine what the Crux Sports would be like, if it was a larger vitola.
As the guys at Crux Cigars say:
Well, with all due respect, if you’re an active tough guy, try a Crux Sports.
Overall I have to really commend Crux Cigars for being able to deliver the quality and flavor they are known for in such a small vitola. Even if you ain’t so tough you will enjoy the Crux Sports. I want to thank Crux Cigars for the samples. Now #GoCruxYourself
Crux Sports