Ventura Cigars Case Study 03 Cigar Review

Back at the 2016 IPCPR, Ventura Cigar Co, introduced the Case Study Cigar Project to the world. The project plans to  feature 26 unique blends from all over the worlds tobacco producing regions. The concept is a tribute to Arts & Architecture magazine, which through the years 1945 to 1966, commissioned the rising stars of mid-century architecture to design and build a series of inexpensive, efficient model homes for the post-World War II generation. In total, 26 homes were built.

The Ventura website points out:

…most of the homes were built  in the Greater Los Angeles area, by renowned architects including Richard Neutra, Charles and Ray Eames, Pierre Koenig and Eero Saarinen. These now iconic homes were designed with a minimalist, modern aesthetic and have been prominently featured over the years in Hollywood films, advertising campaigns and photo essays. The Case Study cigar project from Ventura Cigar Co. pays homage to this triumph of modernist design.

This year,  at a special media event at the IPCPR, Ventura Cigar Co. announced they would be releasing the first 5 of the Case Study blends. CS/01, CS/02, CS/03, CS/04, and  CS/05.

• Numbers 1, 2, and 3 are what the company defines as Master Editions and will be perpetually available, or until the world ends, or we stop smoking cigars.
• Numbers 4 and 5 are limited editions with only 12,000 cigars available for each and once they are gone they are gone forever and will not be brought back.

At the media event, the company offered a little insight into how they got some of these cigars.

Ventura Cigar Company approached some of the most renowned names in the business, Davidoff, La Aurora, Drew Estate, Placensia, and Rocky Patel. Ventura wanted to know what the companies had that were limited edition and were only released in small numbers and had only a little left. Ventura bought them up and then they looked for anything that was aged where the companies did not want to bring to market anymore or they did not have enough product to do a full market launch. Ventura bought all those cigars and will be releasing for everybody to try out.

It was noted that “Some are phenomenal and may be recognized when smoked but will be available for a fraction of the cost than when originally on the market by their front marks”

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The Ventura Cigars Case Study 03

Today I would like to introduce you to Case Study 03, which I received from Ventura Cigars at the media event.  We will be sampling and reviewing the other 4 Case Study blends over the  next couple of months.

Ventura Cigars Case Study 03 is being produced at the Occidental cigar factory, one of three Davidoff factories in the Dominican Republic. The factory is most famous for AVO, Zino and other non-Davidoff brands.

The Case Study 03 blend is described as:

• Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
• Binder: Semilla 192
• Filler: Multi-Country

The Case Study 03 is available in 3 vitolas, packaged in 20-count Cabinet style boxes. They have an MSRP ranging from $14 – $17 USD

• 5 5/8 x 54
• 6  x 50
• 6 7/8 x  57 (SALOMON)

Pre-Light Examination

The dark brown Mexican wrapper on the Ventura Cigars Case Study 03 is very toothy, rugged, and veiny. It is finished with a simple cap and adorned with a white and black band that simply states Case Study CS/03. All cigars in the Case Study offering have similar bands. As far as aromas go, the cigar had a nice fermented leaf aroma along the barrel and an enticing fruit and spice off the foot. 

The cigar is packed fairly tight and is solid in the hand. Once the cap was clipped, the cold draw was tight and provided notes of pepper and earth. I was a little concerned about the tightness of the draw but that worked itself out once ignited.

For this review I sampled the Ventura Cigars Case Study 03 – 6 x 50 vitola

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Cigar Review Notes

• Early puffs were pleasant with a cinnamon chocolate aroma
• Fruit notes began the profile
• Medium body of smoke fills the palate
• A sour cherry note enters after a half-inch of burn
• Fairly solid, medium grey ash rested on rather thick char line
• The ash grows nicely and the sour note tones down
• Cocoa powder enters the mix 
• Ash falls after a good two inches revealing a fairly well centered and flat burn cone
• Sweetness starts to reveal itself as the aroma shifts to more of a nut
• Spice enters in the second third
• The cocoa is becoming more of a chocolate flavor, firing up the back of the palate
• There is a slight bitter note present 
• Spice builds as it moves through the second third
• Aroma shifts once again to earth in the final third
• The spice maintains through the remainder with an added citrus note
• That citrus lingered on the palate even after the cigar was finished
• Medium Strength
• Total Smoking Time was roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Overall, the Ventura Cigars Case Study 03 was an interesting cigar with some complexity and an excellent burn. The flavor and aroma transitioned well through the burn and the ash was long. Although the draw was tight to start, it opened up shortly after ignited and was a non issue. The early sour cherry note was the only concern I had, but that toned down rather quickly. I think this is a cigar that may age very well if left to breathe more in the humidor.