S.T.K. Black Dahlia Cigar Review – A Cigar with Deep Meaning

The latest introduction by George Rico and Gran Habano Cigars is the Black Dahlia which falls under the company’s boutique S.T.K . line of cigars. It was announced back in May of this year and was featured at this years IPCPR. I had chance to catch up with George at the show and he walked me through the latest in the Gran Habano line including the new Black Dahlia cigar.

As George noted, the new Black Dahlia is a terrific multi-country blend:

Wrapper – Corojo Shade Grown Nicaraguan
Binder – Habano and Nicaraguan
Filler – Habano, Nicaraguan Cubita, Colombian, Costa Rica

The Black Dahlia had a limited release in 2016 but this year the company has done a full production release of the blend. The Black Dahlia’s packaging features 20 cedar wrapped cigars in a chic black lacquer box, preserved with Boveda humidity control and is available in 3 vitolas:

Corona Gorda 5 5/8 x 46
Robusto 5 x 52
Gran Robusto 6 x 54

For this review I sampled the Black Dahlia Robusto which I received from George for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.

Pre-Light Examination

The first thing you notice when looking at the Black Dahlia is the glistening oily and Corojo wrapper. There are a few noticeable veins on it but nothing that would give this cigar a problem. It is perfectly finished with a triple cap and adorned with a bold gold, black and white band. The band has an image of a Black Dahlia flower centered on the top. The foot cigar is solid in the hand and looking at the foot you can see the tight packing.

For those that may not know, the Black Dahlia is a flower that has been used to represent some deep meanings of life as described in the website FlowerMeaning.com

Staying graceful under pressure, especially in challenging situations

Drawing upon inner strength to succeed

Traveling and making a major life change in a positive way

Standing out from the crowd and following your own unique path

Staying kind despite being tested by certain life events

Finding a balance between adventure and relaxation

Commitment to another person or a certain ideal

Warning someone about a potential betrayal.

As I read these meanings I can only think about the struggles the cigar industry is going through with the FDA and how Boutique cigar companies will give it all they have to persevere as time goes on. George and Gran Habano certainly will.

As I continued the pre-light inspection of the Black Dahlia cigar I ran it across the nasal and picked up a sweet spicy barrel and a raisin fruit foot. After cutting it, I detected a faint hint of earth and a growing pepper on the lips. The draw was only lightly restricted.

Well it is a sunny weekend morning here in Melbourne. Fl and it was time to fire up the Black Dahlia

Cigar Review Notes

S.T.K. Black Dahlia

Initial notes included a balanced set of fruit, spice, and nut flavors
The burn line was a tad wavy to start
Thin char line
Flavor maintained through the first third
Tight light grey ash develops
Coffee notes entered at the start of the second third
Smoke is full and fills the palate
Wrapper is shiny with lots of oil as it burns shining in the early morning sun
Cedar joins the profile
The ash is amazing and holds tight down to the band before falling
The burn cone was fairly well centered
Moving through the second third spice increases
A mild nut reemerged in the final third down to the nub
Medium Strength – was perfect to start the day
Total Smoking time was right 1 hour and 10 minutes from foot to nub

Overall, the Gran Habano S.T.K. Black Dahlia was an impressively well-balanced cigar that offered delicious flavor notes, a long ash, and solid burn. This is certainly a cigar I would enjoy pairing with a rich cup of espresso to start my morning again. You can find Gran Habano cigars at select retailers and the most popular online shops. I recommend getting at least a fiver to check them out.

One last note, the black Dahlia flower is actually burgundy color and is tied to a warning of betrayal according to FlowerMeaning.com