Hiram Solomon Fellow Craft Cigar Review – Cigars and Charity

Ever since Hiram Solomon cigars hit the market a few years ago I was intrigued by the brand and its mission. The company has made it their mission to practice Freemason teachings and incorporate charity into the business. I love the fact that Hiram Solomon donates part of the sales profits to various Masonic and community charity events. This is an example we can all learn from. For those that are not familiar with the Freemasons and the Masonic lodges you just have to do a simple web-search and you can learn plenty.

Each Cigar the company produces is aptly named with a Freemason theme and today’s review we give a run down on the Fellow Craft blend. The name Fellowcraft signifies the second degree earned by a Mason. There are 3 degrees of a Mason: Earned Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. The middle degree, Fellowcraft, is a call to learning.  From the site MasonicWorld.com:

The Degree of Fellowcaft symbolizes man in the prime years of his life. He is portrayed as an adult who is ready to accept the responsibilities of life, not only for himself, but also for his fairly and all of society.

I can only think that Hiram Solomon looked at the Fellowcraft cigar as a more mature blend for the seasoned cigar smoker. The blend is described as:

• Wrapper – Habano 2000
• Binder – Dominican
• Filler – Dominican

The Hiram Solomon Fellowcraft is available in 4 vitolas:

• Gran Toro – 6 x 56 (MSRP $13.50) 10-Count Boxes
• Robusto: – 5 x 50 (MSRP $9.50) 20-Count boxes
• Gavel – 5 x 60 (MSRP $12.00) 15-Count Boxes
• Box Pressed Torpedo – 6 x 52 (MSRP $12.00) 20-Count Boxes

For this review I sampled the Hiram Solomon Boxed Pressed Torpedo vitola.

Pre-light Examination

The Hiram Solomon Fellowcraft is a milk chocolate-brown wrapped cigar with some light mottling and minimal veins. The foot had a fantastic aroma of fruit and malt.

The cigar is banded with a classic Hiram Solomon band – blue, black, and silver with the Masonic symbol centered in the middle.Unlike the other cigars in the Fellowcraft line, the box-pressed torpedo does not have the footer band declaring it as the Fellowcraft or “FC”.

In preparation for ignition, I snipped the tip to give about a 1/4 inch opening. The pre-light notes enlightened the palate with white pepper and natural tobacco. The draw was decent, not to tight or loose, just the way I like it.

After rolling it around a bit and savoring the pre-light notes, it was time to start the journey of enlightenment of the Fellowcraft.

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Cigar Review Notes

• Pretty smooth draw from the start, no pepper smack in the face on this one
• Hints of fruit enter early
• Wrapper is oiling up quickly
• The early fruit fills in with citrus notes after first inch
• Light grey ash
• Coffee Bean completes the early profile
• Smoke volume started slow bit opens up nicely after an inch of burn
• The burn has slight wave to it but nothing to be worried about 
• Ash holding tight on a medium char line
• Mild spice and earth notes enter after first third
• Sweet cocoa and leather is revealed moving thorough the second third
• Solid medium strength so far before the half-way point
• Almond nut enters – Man I love this note in a cigar!
• Sweetness enters enhancing the almond flavor
• Touch of black pepper enters just before the band
• The sweet nut evolves in the second third
• Final brings spice, nut, and mild citrus to the finish
• Medium Strength
• Total Smoking Time was around 1 hour and 10 minutes

Overall, the Hiram Solomon Fellowcraft Box Pressed Torpedo was a beautifully constructed and flavorful cigar that would be enjoyed by any cigar lover. The flavors and aromas evolved perfectly throughout the pristine burn. I highly recommend trying this cigar ,and in doing so, you will help the Freemason charities especially the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.  Here is a map of the fine retailers that carry the Hiram Solomon brand.