The 919 Habano by Definition Cigars
According to the good people at Definition, the 919 was originally blended for a special event on September 19th, 2020 with no intent of making it a regular production cigar. They probably didn't realize it, but that was sweet of them to do a cigar for my wife's birthday. 😅 But the overall reaction was so positive, they decided to make it a production cigar and the 919 was born.
BRAND / CO: Definition
CIGAR: 919 Habano [Turquoise Band]
VITOLA: Robusto Grande (Box Press) - 5.5" x 54
STRENGTH: Medium
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Habano, Natural
BINDER: Nicaragua
FILLER: Honduras / Nicaragua
ORIGIN: Nicaragua, Fabrica de Tabacalera
APPEARANCE & CONSTRUCTION: Good
I find Ecuadorian Habano leaf tends to be pretty reliable if a bit non-descript. So we have a light brown wrapper that has a light sheen, minimal mottling and no noticeable tooth. The veins are few and all thin, anything visible is pressed in with the soft box press. I say soft because the edges are rounding in spots even though it's pressed into a more rectangular shape. It has a soft texture, light density and is a little squishy. The seams are tight and the triple cap is perfect. I love the bright and intense color of the turquoise band against the wrapper.
DRAW & BURN: Average / Average
No surprises, the draw is loose and on the open side, reflecting its less dense feel. Since this one didn't have the closed foot, it toasted easily and quickly, but still starts off unevenly. An inch in, the burn line is improving but still wavy. The ash is a light gray with dark and thick banding but also fragile and flaky. I can see it developing cracks barely an inch in where it will break free so I ash early on this one. I'm finding this cigar is burning the filler faster, tunneling on center and needs two relights during the smoke.
FLAVOR PROFILE: Good
I take my first draw and I get a mouthful of honey roasted peanuts. Quelle surprise! So yeah, heavy nuttiness, toasted cedar, honey sweetness and a little saltiness are immediate. Medium baking cocoa, baking spice, light coffee and pepper are next. This is a drier profile. I'm getting a slightly astringent, borderline licorice bitter aftertaste. It's quite smooth right now, no harshness, but it's lacking that rich creaminess on the finish I would expect. I think that mild creaminess is why I'm picking up more of that astringency.
With the second third, the profile increases in toasted cedar notes, with a little less nuttiness. The astringency has calmed for now but no real uptick in creaminess. Still very dry, and that's exacerbated with an slight increase in baking cocoa and coffee grounds like flavor. I'm bummed at this point because the blend started off with a bang and it's currently limping into the final third. It's just a little underwhelming, going mild and extra dry.
The final third improves a bit, bringing the flavor strength back. While we started with honey roasted peanuts, we're finishing with toasted cedar, baking cocoa, baking spice and coffee as the driving flavors. Astringency has shifted to proper dark chocolate and coffee bitter. Nuttiness never left, but it's a supporting cast member at this point and the sweetness is now missing. Still very good in terms of balance and smoothness, but a bit of a letdown compared to the beginning.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE: Good
This cigar felt like a tease because I really enjoyed the first third but the progression through the end wasn't where I hoped the cigar would go. That's more personal preference than anything. Coffee drinkers should really enjoy this as a morning cigar with coffee. High praise for avoiding any harshness, but I missed the creaminess and nutty notes as they fell back. Still a solid blend, and will make the folks who like dry, cedary cigars happy.
Purchase Singles or by the Box HERE
Reviewed by Sean McCloskey of The Collective