Today we present the 3rd review of the Ventura Cigars Archetype Series A cigar line – the Strange Passage. Unlike the previous two cigar in the Archetype Series A line, the Strange passage is manufactured at the Agroindustria LAEPE S.A. factory in Honduras.
As noted in the previous reviews, Ventura Cigars Chief Marketing Officer, Jason Carignan states:
The Archetype brand is inspired by the work of psychologist Dr. Carl Jung and the writings of mythographer Joseph Campbell who defined ‘archetypes’ as the constantly repeating characters who occur in the dreams of all people and the myths of all cultures
Here is a link if you would like to read more about Carl Jung’s “Stages Of Life”
If you have not already listened to the story of the Archetype line, here is a audio clip from the Ventura Press Conference at this years IPCPR.
The Strange Passage is described by Ventura Cigars as:
A multi dimensional, full-bodied flavor profile that transforms throughout the smoking experience
Ventura Cigars describes the Strange Passage blend as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Habano
- Binder – Honduran Corojo
- Filler – Multi-Country Blend
The Strange passage is available in 3 box pressed vitolas:
- Short Robusto (4.25 x 50) MSRP $8.99
- Robusto (5.5 x 54) MSRP $10.49
- Toro (6 x 60) MSRP $12.49
For this review I sampled the Strange Passage Toro.
Cigar Review Notes
- Silky smooth wrapper with some mottling to it
- Baking spice aroma along barrel
- Sweet nut and cream on foot
- Soft pressed
- Cold draw restriction is just to my liking. Holding back just a bit
- Cold draw offers just a tinge of pepper and a sprinkle of salt
- Initial puffs provide a medium shot of pepper in the retrohale
- Mild coffee and fruit note
- Light grey ash medium char line
- Medium strength
- Ash is light in density and falls after an inch
- Decent burn cone
- Strength keeps increasing
- Second third offers a sweet oak flavor with a slight bitterness in the background
- The bitterness morphs into a citrus note middle of the second third
- The sweetness builds and the smoke is very smooth on the retrohale
- A room filling spicy nut aroma wafts off the foot
- Burn gets off midway through second third
- A small touch up gets it going right
- Coffee and lemon citrus appear at end of second third
- Ends with a touch of lingering vanilla on the palate with a mild spice
- Medium to full
- Total smoking time about an hour
Overall, the Ventura Cigars Strange Passage was a relatively complex cigar that delivered some terrific flavor notes wrapped in a delicate sweetness.It was a delightfully smooth smoke with enticing aromas. Of the three Archetype Series A lineup, I think I liked the Strange Passage the best.
Ventura Cigars Archetype – Strange Passage