Sensado Cigars, a brand you may not be familiar with and one I cam across at the 2016 IPCPR. I met Dave McMullen at the show and spent time with him learning about his brand and cigars. Sensado currently has 4 blends in their introductory lineup known as the “City” series; Roma, New York, Miami, and Shanghai. As Dave explained, and their website reiterates:
Each Sensado cigar blend creatively captures the essence of the iconic experience for which it is named. Like people and places, tobacco leaves all have their own unique characteristics. Some are sweet and mild while others are aggressive and bold. Some are zesty, others are fruity.
Since I just returned from 2 weeks of business in Europe, and today was a holiday here in the US, I chose to wake up early and head out on the patio to enjoy a Sensado Roma Cigar.
Each of the blends in the City Series come in a single vitola – the Roma is a 5.5 x 52 torpedo, which according to Dave, was inspired by the beautiful cathedrals in Rome that “reveals itself with time”.
The Roma blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Connecticut Ecuador
- Binder & Filler – Nigaragua
Cigar Review Notes
- Clean band design – simple Black, Yellow, and White
- Well finished cap
- Tight seams
- Dark brown satin wrapper with a slight marbling in color
- Tea and nut on foot
- Just a tinge of pepper on cold draw
- The draw was fine with a 3/8 inch opening on the head
- There’s a nice shot of pepper on first light
- Nut is pushing its way in through the pepper after a few puffs
- Spicy floral aroma
- As the pepper pulls back, espresso starts to fill the profile
- A solid burn so far
- White snow like ash on a medium char line
- Everything smooths out well after the first third
- Burn got a bit wonky into second third and required a touch up
- Smoke is medium volume
- Spicy cherry note evolved with an increasing nut component
- Ash is holding strong through the second third
- Slightly off-center burn cone is revealed after the ash fell
- A hint of caramel sweetness evolves near the end of second third
- The spice and sweetness are delectable in final third
- Strength is solid medium
- Total smoking time was just over an hour
Overall, the Sensado Roma torpedo was a delicious start to my morning. I chose not to pair this with anything but if I were, a dark Italian Espresso would be in order for sure. I still have the other three in the City lineup to sample, but if the Sensado Roma is any indication, of what these have to offer then I will enjoy my trips to the other cities Dave McMullen has lined up!
Sensado Cigars Roma