Continuing with a series of reviews of cigars that were crafted with the collaboration of A.J. Fernandez, today we offer a review of a magnificent creation “The T”. This cigar is the result of three renowned names in the modern cigar business; A.J. Fernandez, Matt Booth, and Robert Caldwell. The cigar was originally called “The Truth” nut due to a possible copyright infringement they renamed it simply to “The T”. The cigar is one of two cigars that welcomed Matt Booth back into the business last year. You may have recalled, Matt “left” the business in the early part of 2017, but only for a short time, as he returned with a little help from friends with the “Hit and Run” and “The T” cigars. The cigar business and lifestyle run on friendships.
I received The T from my friend and Stogie Press associate, Alton Otto, the other day. I have wanted to sample this for some time and offer my take on what these three Amigos have been able to craft. To start with we should talk about the blend, and what we know of the blend is that it is a Nicaraguan puro.
- Wrapper – Nicaraguan Habano
- Binder – Nicaraguan
- Filler – Nicaraguan
The T comes in five box pressed vitolas and are packaged in 20-count boxes, except for the Short Churchill which comes in a 10-count box.
- Short Churchill – 5.5 x 48 (MSRP $12.00)
- Robusto – 5 x 52 (MSRP $11.00)
- Toro Grande – 6.5 x 56 (MSRP $12.00)
- Toro – 5 x 52 (MSRP $11.50)
- Lonsdale – 6.5 x 44 (MSRP $12.00)
For this review I sampled the Toro vitola of The T.
Pre-Light Examination
I have to say this is one toothy habano wrapper, dark espresso bean color with a rich oily sheen. Do I really want to smoke this? Or should I let it lay longer? Screw it, I can order more if I like it, and besides cigars are made to smoke and in my case – review. The press on the wrapper is crisp, with sharp edges and it is light on veins. The shaft is solid from head to foot and the head is finished with a double cap.
There are two bands on The T. The primary band has three black skeleton keys printed on a tan background with the phrase “The T” printed in an embossed gold lettering over them. I assume the keys are symbolic of the three men who collaborated on this cigar, and with out all three keys one would not able to have experienced it. On the sides of the band is the word Estelì and a symbol of three tobacco leaves. The Secondary band is thin and dark brown with the golden initials of each man; MB, AJF, RC.
Running the cigar along the nose, I detected an amazing aroma of cocoa and marshmallow off the foot while the barrel had a bold natural sweetness to it.
Once I sliced the cap, the cold draw was tight – tighter than I like but we shall see how it performs. The notes on the cold draw were savory with red pepper and earth. Roll it about and feel the red pepper growing on the palate, warming the inside of the cheeks.
Well gentlemen, it is time to experience your craft and see what The T offers.
Cigar Review Notes
The T Cigar
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- Initial light offered a peppery hit to the throat and nose
- There is a fruit note hiding in the peppery smoke trying to break through
- Medium volume of smoke to start with a rich creamy texture
- Pepper smooths out after a half-inch as a salted butter sensation greets the profile
- Medium grey ash forms resting on a fairly thick char line
- The fruit begins to show
- Wrapper starts show a growing sheen
- Fruity and nut aroma
- Coffee and cream notes enter
- Ash fell after an inch and half
- Fairly centered and flat cone
- Mocha notes enter
- Aroma is getting more like roasted acorns
- Earth notes build at the start of the second third
- Slight off burn due to wrapper thickness did a slight touch up
- Aroma shifts to more spicy
- Dry Leather notes back up the spice
- Butter comes back as the spice superbly blends in
- A nuance of peppermint laces the palate
- Smooth on the nasal
- Savory notes continue to the end with a touch of mint on the exhale
- Right up close to full strength by the end
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 35 minutes
Designed by connoisseurs for connoisseurs, The T truly reflects the collaboration and skills of the three men behind this cigar. Even though the draw was tight to start, it opened up perfectly and had a fine burn with only one small touch up required. There was a cornucopia of flavors in this complex cigar that continued to entice my palate sensors from foot to nub. The aromas shifted right along with the flavor as the strength eased it way up through the burn. I think it is time to order more of these and you may want to also.
The T Cigar