Dominion Confederation Cigar Review – Oh Canada!!

Wow, it’s been 150 years since our northern neighbors gave birth to the Dominion of Canada.

Officially, on July 1st 1867 the British Parliament passed the British North America Act in 1867 that gave them self-rule, though they are still  part of the British Commonwealth.  Canada has been preparing for this year since 2010 and has created a number of commemorative items including, a logo, currency and stamps, free passes to national parks and even a commemorative flower known as the Maple Leaf Tulip. The stage was set, at least to most, until one more commemorative item would be declared by Mr. Steve Ricker from  Dominion Cigars.

At this years IPCPR,  Mr. Ricker announced the Dominion Confederation cigar, which is a limited edition release available in a single 6.5 x 52 box pressed vitola. As being the true  Canadian cigar company, this was Steve’s way of doing his part to celebrate his homeland.  The Dominion Confederation is only available in the Canadian market,  but I was fortunate enough to get my hands on one for reviewing on Stogie Press and today I would like to give you a run down on it. I should note that Steve  has a US only market release this year, named the Dominion Classic and we will  get to that review within the next month.

The Dominion Confederation blend is described by Steve as follows:

• Wrapper – Connecticut broadleaf
• Binder –  Ecuadorian Sumatra
• Filler – Nicaragua

Steve also notes this cigar uses the oldest tobacco he ever worked with, not as old as the Dominion of Canada, but well aged for sure.

For this cigar he worked with Ernesto Carrillo’s factory in the Dominican Republic, and as Steve explains:

“Ernesto opened his factory doors last year, giving me the freedom to take advantage of everything his great facility had to offer. Most of the tobacco I used for this project was over four years of age prior to rolling, and out of Ernesto’s personal aged tobacco collection.“

The cigars are packaged in 10-count maple leaf red boxes.

Pre-Light Examination

Upon first look at the Dominion Confederation cigar you will notice the wrapper. It is a rugged, heavily veined, dark and blotchy wrapper. Of course – it’s a Connecticut broadleaf and Steve is not hiding this. I love the look of the broadleaf, and choosing this as a wrapper reminds me of the ruggedness of the Canadians.I am not sure if that was in Steve’s mind but it works.

There are two bands on this cigar. The primary band uses a white, red, gold, and black motif with the words “Dominion Confederation” in the center. Below that is the years 1867-2017 representing the 150 years of the Dominion of Canada. There is a small  red shield, actually it looks  like a baseball  home plate, at the top with a  gold maple leaf inside. The foot is finished with a red satin footer band.

Running it across the nose, I picked up a fermented spice aroma along the barrel and the foot exudes enticing fruit and cracker notes. The cracker was not graham cracker but more like hard biscuit cracker.

I sliced the simple cap and rolled it around savoring the flavors through the lightly restricted draw – earth, pepper, and fruit. Yea – I like the start of this!

So let’s start the celebration and fire up the Confederation.

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Cigar Review Notes

• Strong early pepper opens the nasals
• Salt and pepper ash rests on a jagged burn line –  but then again this is a thick wrapper
• Buttery note enters behind the pepper after a half-inch of burn
• Fruit follows and starts to take the front of the profile 
• Ash is funky but maintains
• Spice adds to the pleasure balancing out the fruit 
• Pepper toned down after an inch plus
• Ash falls after about two inches
• Slightly off centered burn cone
• Spice lingers on the palate
• Citrus peel enters midway and then slowly morphs into a sweeter citrus more  like a naval orange
• Burn cone seems to have centered more
• Espresso notes enter end of second third
• Solid medium strength
• Fruit renters in final third with more of a cherry character 
• Very smooth as spice diminishes
• Hint of cocoa powder joins the cherry
• Sweetness also enters at the end making me take it to the nub
• Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 20 minutes to the nub.

Overall, the Dominion Confederation was simply an amazing cigar. It is proof that you should not judge by looks when choosing your smoke. The fantastically aged  broadleaf wrapper certainly gave this cigar its many nuances of flavor throughout the experience.  the burn was a little wavy at time but it never needed a touch up and always found its way. Personally I would pair this cigar with a Canadian Club rye whiskey and Ginger ale – just because of the celebration, otherwise try a sweet bourbon if CC is not your taste.