Bishops Blend 2022 by Black Label Trading

Since 2016, Bishops Blend has been a yearly limited release from Black Works. The cigars look angry, rocking a metallic black and red band with a dark, rustic wrapper. I decided to buy a box of the “Robusto”. Straying away from a traditional “Robusto”, the Bishops Blend Robusto isn’t a traditional Parejo. The Bishops blend Robusto is actually a 5x 48 RG, with a distinctly handmade tapered head. Overall the cigar looks very boutique. The cigar is produced at Black Work’s very own Oveja Negra factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.

Bishops Blend uses an Ecuadorian Habano Maduro wrapper, an Ecuadorian Habano binder, and fillers from both Nicaragua and the United States. The US filler leaf is Broadleaf from Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The looks of the Bishops Blend give me the impression that it will be full bodied. That impression is correct. The biggest flavor takeaway I noticed reminded me of chewing tobacco- stewed plums with some sweetness. Some pepper kick and dark leather as well. While it was full bodied, it was a smooth, balanced smoke. In my opinion it wasn’t overly complex, but provided a great flavor profile that increased in strength over time.

The Bishops blend is a full bodied cigar done right. It performed beautifully. I would recommend this cigar to anyone looking to have a great full flavored smoke after a heavy meal, like a steak. I would not advise sharing one of these with someone new to cigars. I felt the strength in my stomach. The Bishops blend can be found for 10-12 dollars per stick. If you stumble across them, I’d recommend picking up some. I am also very interested to see how aging develops this profile as well.