Hiram Solomon Master Mason – Are You Knowledgeable?

Progressing through the degrees of Freemasonry requires the individual to gather and demonstrate knowledge of the craft. Recently we walked you through and introduced you to the Hiram & Solomon Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft cigars, both of which are named after the early degrees of learning and understanding of the Freemasons.

Now that you have read and understood what these blends offer it is time to move to the next level and expand your knowledge and understanding with the Hiram & Solomon Master Mason.

The Hiram & Solomon Master Mason is a full body and full strength blend that is simply described by the company as:

• Wrapper -Maduro
• Binder – Dominican
• Filler – Dominican

The Hiram & Solomon Master Mason is available in 4 vitolas:

• Gran Toro – 6 x 56 available in 10-Count Boxes
• Robusto: – 5 x 50 available in 20-Count boxes
• Gavel – 5 x 60 available in 15-Count Boxes
• Box Pressed Torpedo – 6 x 52 available in 20-Count Boxes

According to the website of the  J J Crowder Lodge in Raleigh, NC the Master Mason degree is summarized as:

The candidate enters the Lodge of the Master Mason in darkness, for he has not witnessed the Light at this Degree before. But the difference of this entrance from that of the others is that he is now in a state of equilibrium and is prepared to walk on sacred ground. He becomes fully committed to the Fraternity and completely puts his faith on the Three Great Lights. The initiate is given full use of every working tool, but the one tool exalted above the others from this point on is the one that symbolizes the spreading of brotherly love.

Hiram & Solomon Cigars exemplifies that state of equilibrium in the Master Mason Blend.

Pre-Light Examination

The Master Mason a beautifully constructed cigar with a dark brown wrapper that has a slight sheen to it and a solid packing. The primary band on the cigar is the same as the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft, but the black and silver footer band identifies it as the Master Mason with the letters MM. 

Running the Master Mason along the nose I picked up pepper, fruit, and chocolate on the foot. Certainly a good start to the journey. Once the cap is clipped the cold draw offers notes of citrus and sprinkle of pepper through a lightly restricted draw. I should note that I have had this cigar in my humidor since July of 2016.

So now that we examined it let’s experience the Master Mason and add to our knowledge.

For this review I sampled the Hiram & Solomon Master Mason Robusto which I received from the company at last years IPCPR.

---

Cigar Review Notes

• Once ignited,  there is a tart cherry fruit flavor to start
• Black pepper joins the mix that tickles the nose
• A touch of sea salt lingers on the lips
• Immediate oiling of the wrapper along the burn line
• After an inch the tart cherry sweetens up
• Pepper fades and there is a long finish of mouth-watering cherry
• The ash is medium grey resting on a thick char line
• Full body of Creamy smoke into the first third
• A bit of nut on the aroma
• Coffee coming in the second third
• The cherry dances in and out through the burn
• A long solid ash holds tight until it fell around half way through the journey
• Beautiful burn cone is revealed – exemplifying the solid construction
• Cedar and sweetness notes enter in the middle of the second third
• Spice finds its way in at just before the final third
• Still a hint of cherry on the finish
• Down to the final third,  the spice reveals itself as cinnamon wrapped in a natural sweetness
• Full strength
• Total Smoking time was about 1 hour and 20 minutes

Overall, the Hiram & Solomon Master Mason was an expertly constructed and perfectly balanced cigar that delivered on flavor and burn. I would say it is my favorite in the Hiram & Solomon lineup so far. The Master Mason is definitely targeted for the experienced cigar enthusiast with it complex flavor and full strength blend. Enjoy the Master Mason with a Cafe Cubano and you will have a fine smoking experience. Remember a portion of the proceeds from all  Hiram  & Solomon cigars go towards the Freemason charities including the Shriners Children Hosptial.