Valacari NeoClassic Cigar Review

Back in November of 2017, I introduced you to a new cigar brand – Valacari Cigars. As part of that introduction we reviewed the one of their two blends, the Invitcus, which was a dark and rich maduro blend. Today I would like to offer a review of the company’s other blend, the NeoClassic.  I know I said, I was going to get Nimmer Ahmed, the owner of the Valacari Cigars on a call before I reviewed the NeoClassic, but things got busy and that has not happened yet. I will get there, but till then let’s talk about the Valacari NeoClassic.

The blend of the Valacari NeoClassic is described as:

• Wrapper – Ecuadorian Habano Claro
• Binder – Nicaraguan
• Filler – Nicaraguan

Like the Valacari Invictus the NeoClassic is available in 3 vitolas and comes packaged in 24-count boxes:

• Perfecto (6 x 54)
• Toro (6 x 52)
• Robusto (5 x 50)

For this review, I sampled the Valacari NeoClassic Robusto vitola which I purchased at one of my favorite, local brick and mortars – Paradise Cigarz in Rockledge, FL.

Pre-Light Examination

The Valacari NeoClassic is a smooth dark tan cigar with a slight oily sheen and very few veins. The construction is solid, including the triple cap finish and tight seams. Pressing the body I  noticed no soft spots and the foot showed an expert bunching of leaf.

The NeoClassic is adorned with two bands. Both use a white and gold motif which shines well on the background of the wrapper. The primary band displays the Valacari logo on gold on the white background while the secondary band identities this as the NeoClassic.

There were some seriously enticing notes of cocoa, nut, and pepper off the foot and the barrel had a spicy aroma to it.

Once the cap was sliced, the cold draw had some restriction to it and offered notes of earth, nut, and a hint of black pepper.

I will say, the pre-light examination had me intrigued, so I did not waste much time to lay a soft flame on the foot and get the journey started.

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Cigar Review Notes

• Pepper and nut flavors start the journey
• The pepper is not heavy but enough to offer a slight burn on the nasals
• Light grey ash evolves which rests on a thin char line
• The pepper recedes quickly and settles into the nut
• The ash is growing nicely and has a solid form
• Rich and creamy full volume of smoke
• Coffee and cream notes enter into the second third
• A renewed peppery spice emerges on the retro-hale
• Enticing nut aroma fills the room
• The ash finally fell  around midway just before the secondary band
• Flat and centered burn cone
• A slight astringent citrus note appears near the end of second third
• Moving into the final third there is a delectable natural sweetness through the finish
• Mild to Medium in Strength
• Total Smoking Time was one hour

Overall, I found the Valacari NeoClassic to be a delightful cigar that had excellent burn properties and pleasant flavor. The cigar is not complex but the flavors blended well and I considered it well-balanced. My only issue was the short spike of bitter citrus near the end of the second third but that was quickly offset and overtaken by the natural tobacco sweetness through the finish. Being priced between $8.00 and $9.00 this is a cigar worth trying and those I have spoken to have added it to their regular rotation. I would like to give a shout out to Mike Holmes, one of the Central Florida Cigar Cartel Chapter leaders for turning me on to this brand.