Veritas 412 Cigar Review – Take Two

I remember meeting Chris Weber, founder of Veritas Cigars, at the 2014 IPCPR and we have been friends ever since. The first Veritas cigar I reviewed on Stogie Press was  the company’s 412 blend and it was quite the enjoyable cigar. Chris was quite proud of  this blend and it was aptly named the “412” to pay homage to boyhood town of Pittsburgh,, PA. In case you did not know, the area code of Pittsburgh is, you guessed it, 412.

I caught up with Chris at this years IPCPR, and besides the epic Veritas after party, he explained that all Veritas cigars are now going to be made at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua, This is the factory that James Brown from Black Works Studios  and  Black Label Trading Co. I asked Chris if the blend is changing and he stated no, but the tobacco will be sourced from James and all the rolling will be done at the new factory.

I smoked one of these at the show and have to say it was a step above from the already fine 412 offering. Now that the samples I received have had time to rest, they were ready for a proper review and comparison to the original from 2014.

The Veritas 412

As noted, the blend has not changed on the Veritas 412, but here it is again in case you did not read the original review:

• Wrapper – Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro
• Binder – Mexican San Andrés
• Filler – Pennsylvania & Nicaragua (Condega & Estelí)

The Veritas 412 is still only available in a single 6×54 toro vitola and has an MSRP of $10.00 USD

Pre-Light Examination

Like the original, the Veritas 412 has a dark brown wrapper, but not as dark as the original.  It has some  typical broad-leaf blotches through it, a few veins, and is finished nicely with a well applied triple cap. The 412 is packed solid and has a nice weight which the original had also.

The band on this is unchanged, it is still a black band with a golden 412 centered in the middle and the iconic West End steel bridge that crosses the Ohio river is noticeable in the background.

Running it across the nose I picked up a similar pepper on the foot but also a sweet fruit and hay. There was not much aroma along the shaft.

Once cut, the cold draw is lightly restricted and has some pepper tingle and earth to it.

So far so good. The similarities to the original are there. It is time to fire up the 2017 Veritas 412 and see what it has to offer.

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Cigar Review Notes

• Upon first light, there is a warming pepper sensation on the lips and retro-hale.
• Pepper fades early into the journey, but not completely, as it lingers through each puff
• Coffee and toast notes enter followed by earth
• Fruity fragrant aroma
• Typical broadleaf need to puff or it goes out
• Fruit is becoming more pronounced after an inch of solid burn
• As the fruit peels off a light spice coats the palate
• Ash is white with a medium char line and straight burn
• Fairly smooth smoke
• As held solid for almost half the cigar – revealing a pretty well centered burn cone
• By midway there is a full volume of smoke
• Spice increases with a little pepper burn on retrohale middle of second third
• Slight astringent note enters followed by a dry leather
• Cherry notes enter and the spice builds
• The cherry mingle with the spice down to the nub with a light pepper burn on the lips
• Medium Plus in Strength
• Total Smoking Time was one hour and fifteen minutes

Overall, the Veritas 412 made at Fabrica Oveja Negra was quite similar with respect to the burn and ash as the original 412. As far as flavors, the core of pepper was consistent to the original along with the fruit and earthy notes. Though the original offered a raisin note, this time I found cherry as the fruit. I did not pick up the early chocolate notes that I found in the original but instead got more of a coffee. On any given day ones palate can vary and in the final analysis I found the Veritas 412 made at  Fabrica Oveja Negra to be a fine cigar with excellent burn qualities. I would say the flavors seem more balanced in the 2017 release.