The Conception LE 2025 by Definition Cigars

BRAND / CO:  Definition
CIGAR:  Conception (Burgundy Band)
VITOLA:  Toro (Box Press) - 6.5" x 54
STRENGTH:  Full
WRAPPER:  Ecuadorian, Maduro
BINDER:  Nicaragua
FILLER:  Nicaragua (Ometepe)
ORIGIN:  Nicaragua, Fabrica de Tabacalera

APPEARANCE & CONSTRUCTION:   Good
The good folks at Definition really love their maduros and the Conception is no exception (look at that rhyme 😅).  This is a great looking cigar with a medium box press.  You might even say its complexion is a dark chocolate brown with a strong sheen and heavy mottling.  It's oily enough that it leaves a residue on your fingers, to which I have no objection.   There's only a few veins and the ones that are present are pressed flat, so there's no projection. The seams are tight, blending in with a clean and even cap.  The burgundy used for the band is a beautiful reception complementing the slight dark rosado of the wrapper.  Definition's woven bands make their cigars stand out in the crowd for a pleasing perception. Ok, I'm done. 😅

DRAW & BURN:   Good / Good
The draw is spot on and the burn starts off nicely with a crisp, even char line.  The ash is a nearly white, light gray that keeps a fairly smooth surface with minimal cracking.  This one is a bit of a smoke bomb putting out a ton of thick smoke during and between puffs.  What's interesting is at the burn line, the wrapper is developing a lighter brown stripe where it's hot, but not yet burning. I've seen that in other maduros, but it's more visible and dramatic here.  The burn line never gets dead even, and it needs several relights due to going out, but no corrections needed.

FLAVOR PROFILE:   Great
Mmm... Rich chocolate right off the bat.  A good mix of sweetness follows up, that dark fruit raisin or black cherry type of sweet.  There's a damp, musty and earthy base with some charred wood flavors.  Mild spice starts with hints of pepper that slowly builds and baking spice is slowly lagging behind.  But it's all wrapped up in a very rich, creamy finish and this is a smooth operator.

Pepper sneaks up with the slow build in the second third.  It doesn't hit you with immediate spice, but I'm finding a mild to medium lingering tingle that's building with time.   The chocolate, dark fruit sweet and woody notes are still the driving trio, but I get a light licorice and some stronger hits of espresso at times.  Between that and the dark chocolate, you get that natural and enjoyable bitter note with them.  Dark, rich, earthy, creamy and sweet, it's just pulling enough complexity.

The final third sees a slight step back in the sweet and chocolate, with more charred wood and earth and pepper.   I would have loved to had the sweet pull hard until the end, but this is still a very enjoyable blend.  The dominant flavors are robust, but for a full bodied cigar, I'm finding this is very chill and it's not going to beat you up with overwhelming nicotine or aggressive spice. 

OVERALL EXPERIENCE:   Excellent
This cigar reminded me of the Plasencia Alma del Fuego and I think the Ometepe they both use is really defining the profile in both cases.  That's a hell of a comparison considering this is half the price of the Plasencia so if you enjoy that cigar, I would definitely give this a go. This is a limited release so don't miss it!

Purchase Singles or by the Box HERE

Reviewed by Sean McCloskey of The Collective