Ventura Cigars Case Study CS/02 Cigar Review

OK folks, this is the second of five reviews on the new Ventura Cigars Case Study blends. This time we take a look at the Ventura Cigars Case Study CS/02.  By now you have read the background story on the Case Study cigars from Ventura, so I will not repeat that in this review. Of course if you want to read more about the Ventura Case Study story you can read it here.

As far as the Case Study CS/02, it is one of the blends that is in regular production and is being produced at the La Aurora cigar factory in the Dominican Republic. Founded in 1903, La Aurora is the oldest cigar factory on the island nation.

The Case Study CS/02 blend is described as:

• Wrapper: Corojo Ecuador (Habano)
• Binder: Sumatra Brasil
• Filler: Multi-Country Blend

It is available in 4 vitolas and packaged in 20-count Cabinet style boxes. They have an MSRP ranging from $8.00 to $10.00 USD.

• 5 1/2 X 42
• 5 X 50
• 6 1/2 X 52 (BELICOSO)
• 7 X 50

Pre-Light Examination

The Ventura Cigars Case Study CS/02 is wrapped with a medium brown habano leaf with noticeable veins, some speckling , and lots of tooth. It is finished with a simple cap and adorned with a white and black band that simply states Case Study CS/02. The aromas were enticing with notes of sweet fruit along the barrel and pepper and anise off the foot. 

 

The Case Study CS/02 is solid to the touch with no soft spots detected. I clipped the cap with my new Xikar cutter and the cold draw was open with notes of pepper and candy sweetness.

Now that I got to second base with this beauty, it was time to take all the way to home and turn it to ash!

For this review I sampled the Ventura Cigars CS/03  – 5 x 50 vitola

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Cigar Review Notes

• First puffs were peppery with a dry leather 
• Light grey ash evolves on a medium char line and an even burn
• Pepper fades into a gentle spice
• Flavor opens up to a malty note
• Hoping to find that licorice (anise) but not yet
• Ash is looking good,holding tight
• Dryness increases moving into the second third
• And bam!!  There it is. –  Licorice appears joined with a slight nut flavor
• Sweetness enters joining with the nut to offer pleasant palate sensations
• Extremely smooth smoke
• Licorice appears again near the midway point
• Ash fell midway exposing a flat burn cone
• Fruit notes enter
• Spice reemerges in the final third
• Very clean on the palate
• Light to medium strength and body
• Total Smoking Time was

Overall,the Ventura Cigars Case Study CS/02 was just what I expect from the 114 year old La Aurora factory, It was a well constructed cigar with a long solid ash and delicious flavor transitions. Having smoke two of the first five Case Study introductions, this is my favorite so far. I can see myself paring this with a nice Italian Espresso with a lemon peal and a Sambuca. Checkout the Ventura Cigars store locator to find where you may find this fine cigar.