MBombay Classic
As many of you know, I have done a lot of travel these days, most recently to Germany and I really don’t know how so many of my fellow Brothers and Sisters of the leaf handle the frigid cold when smoking their favorite cigar outside. I know I had to bundle up in layers to stay warm.
MBombay Classic
One of the cigars I enjoyed while overseas was the MBombay Classic Belicoso which I received from Mel Shah – Owner of Bombay Tobak. I have to thank Mel for sending me more than one so I could compare the notes of smoking in the cold and smoking in the warm Florida sun. Overall the notes were similar and I have combined them in this review.
Do you want some Free MBombay Cigars?
After Reading this review, if you would like to be entered in a drawing to win a 2 pack of MBombay Cigars, just add your comments at the end. Mel Shah has agreed to send two randomly selected winners a 2-pack of MBombay cigars each. You have to have a US shipping address to qualify. We will run this contest until April 15th 2016, Yea that is tax day too, so what better way to complete your taxes than to win some free smokes.
Launched in 2014, the MBombay Classic Belicoso is a sumptuous looking 5×52 Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapped cigar. The wrapper is silky to the touch and is adorned with the classic MBombay outer sleeve that covers most of the cigar. The cap is perfectly finished and the foot reveals a well packed and rolled cigar.
The complete international blend of the MBombay Classic Belicoso is as follows:
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
- Binder: Dominican
- Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan, Peru, Dominican
Mel has chosen some well aged leaf to construct this cigar. The wrapper itself is from the 2001 harvest in Ecuador while the binder and fillers are from 2006 and 2007.
The cigars themselves are manufactured in Costa Rica at Vegas de Santiago.
MBombay Classic is available in 5 vitolas.
- Belicoso (5 x 52)
- Churchill (7 x 48)
- Corona (5 1/2 x 43)
- Perfecto (5 1/2 x 50)
- Robusto (4 1/2 x 50)
The Belicoso retails for about $10.50 USD.
The first step to smoking this cigar is to remove the outer sleeve which slid off fairly easily revealing the standard MBombay band. Like other MBombay cigars the design of the sleeve and band has its roots in Mel’s home country of India. I chose to clip the head with a double blade cutter, slicing off about a 1/4 of an inch which provided a decent draw that was just slightly restricted. The cold draw was clean with no distinctive or overpowering notes while the foot offered a baking spice aroma. These cigars were properly aged before they were shipped not a hint of ammonia was detected. Kudus to Mel for caring for them before they get to the consumer.
Once toasted and fired up, the MBombay Classic delivered a light spice and a touch of cedar on the initial draw that gave way to raisin and citrus notes. The wrapper quickly oiled up, even in the colder weather. The smoke is smooth and full in body with a mild to medium strength.
As it moves past the first inch, the flavor continues to evolve with a hint of cocoa powder adding to the early profile. This is a very enjoyable so far. Having smoked a number of Mel Shah’s creations, I have to say he knows how to blend a fine smoke. The burn is stellar, razor sharp, with a perfectly formed light grey ash.
Into the second inch of burn, the ash holds and a citrus tang begins to develop providing some “lip smacking goodness”. I reserve this description for a select few cigars and the MBombay Classic makes that cut.
A background of pepper, not strong, but enticing to the palate, fills out the profile near the end of the second inch. The ash finally broke after a good two inches plus of burn. I chose to ash it gently on the second sample I smoked back in Florida.
As it moves toward the band I was treated to an orange zest flavor that added to the already well-balanced flavor profile and a syrupy aroma developed off the foot.
The flavor stayed the same through the remainder of the smoke with a touch of pepper dancing in and out to keep the palate intrigued.
Overall, the MBombay Classic Belicoso was a well constructed and flavorful cigar that had excellent burn quality and smoke production. It is a mild to medium strength cigar that can easily be enjoyed any time of the day. I did pair the second one with an extra dry Bombay Blue Sapphire dirty martini that added to the smoking experience. I would like to thank Mel Shah and Bombay Tobak for the samples and hope you enter our giveaway by commenting on this article.
MBombay Classic
Good review. I haven’t been able to get my hands on any locally. I was wondering if it would be worth trying and by the looks of this review, it sounds delicious and well worth-while. Good job Jimmy. Now to find some MBombay here in Apollo Beach, Fl
Let’s see what Mel Shah has to say about availability in Florida
Might just be that I don’t have very many good cigar lounges near me. I’ll keep looking
Check here http://www.bombaytobak.com look under retailers.
Hello
Please visit our website bombaytobak.com
In the retailer section, please enter your zip code and it will show you the nearby retailers. Once again, thank you for your keen interest in our brand.
Mel
Thanks Mel. It looks like I have only one shop outside of town. I will have to make a special trip this week and try them out. Thank you for the information.
Great review, I wish I could find that brand.
Had the pleasure of trying a couple last year. Wonderful cigar. I just can’t get them local here in NY. SURE Wish I could though.
Great review as usual. I’m in the same boat about finding them here in Columbus. I’ll be checking the great selection at Jungle Jim’s in Cincinnati on my next trip down there.
Thanks for the review compliment I suppose we all need to reach out to Mel Shah and our local B&M to get these in house
Just click on the link that Mel posted today. It is an MBombay locator. It will tell you the closest shop that carries his cigars.
WINNER ! WINNER !
Great review. I have never seen or heard of this brand around here. It looks delicious and the band is absolutely beautiful.
Mel Shah has some amazing creations
Great review I’ve heard nothing but good things about the MBombay. I’ll be giving this one a go for myself soon.
I have seen so many post with pictures of people smoking Mbombay cigars I’m dying to try them though there are no retailers locally and being handicap it’s hard to travel outside my area are there any online retailers?
They look delicious
Sounds good, would like to try them.
Best of luck in the giveaway
a “lip smacking goodness” description for a cigar is certainly a very good recommendation to purchase the cigar. thank you for the opportunity to win the Classic.
Yes, It was a most excellent cigar. I like what Mel has been putting out.
Only had one before and it was mighty tasty
Great review I believe the one I’ve smoked had a shaggy foot iirc.
Great review. Would really like to give them a try.
Great review. Have enjoyed the Mbombays I’ve smoked.
Awesome review of the cigars! I’ve never had the opportunity to smoke one of these would love to try!
WINNER! WINNER!
I would love to win these, I here a lot of good things about them.
Great review! Found some locally that I’ll have to try out.
Great review and have never tried them.
Great review and I have never had a chance to try them.
Great article. I have not had a chance to try the Mbombay cigar as of yet. Hope to get to try one soon.
Great review would love to try them they are not available in my local B&Ms
Another great review, and yup, these cigars are certainly special!!
They sound aswome, would love to win these.
Would love to try them, thanks for the contest.
Another great review of these cigars. I have yet to find them close enough to make a purchase.
Excellent review. Where can I purchase this stogie, so that I can toke & given my own review.
Looks great and am anxiously awaiting my first try of an MBombay. I’ve had several friends try them and they all rave about them. Thanks for the review.
nice review, what would you pair this cigar with? Coffee? Bourbon?
A nice caffe Cubano for sure, highland malt or aged rum
Thanks for the response, I will definitely will get my cafe bustelo ready for this stick
Well folks we have our winners.
Steve Catanese and Derek Carpenter.
Gentlemen, I have sent you each an Email. Once you respond we will get your prize package out to you.
Thank You all for participating, we will have more giveaways so stay tuned to Stogie Press. Meanwhile, checkout the latest update of the site including the new consumer rating widget at the end of every cigar review, where you can add your rating to be averaged in with others.
Stay Smokey
~Boston Jimmie