Monday, March 21 2011
IMHO, some makers of premium cigars don't seem to get the credit they deserve. One of those companies is Jameson Cigars. It's par for the course to hear about the latest Rocky Patel, Tatuaje, or Padron, but you don't hear cigar smokers talking about Jameson all that much. Well, maybe today I can tilt the scales back their way a little. Jameson actually makes some pretty tasty smokes, as evidenced by their Jameson Red and Black label selections, which were introduced in 2008. (Maybe the company is still too new?)
Moving along, last Friday during an in-store tasting with Jameson's Brad Mayo, I had a chance to sample one of the Jameson Declaration cigars - the Iniquity - a 5½" x 50 Robusto. Introduced in 2009, the line was given its name "to protest the persecution of tobacco companies by government entities." Made in Santiago, The Dominican Republic, Declaration boasts a full-flavored, all-Dominican leaf blend that starts with a diverse longfiller core, a Criollo '98 binder, and a dark, long-aged Habano '98 wrapper with a slightly reddish patina.
The cigar was well-packed, neatly rolled and lit-up nicely. The initial flavors were somewhat leathery with a little spiciness upfront. It didn't take long for the cigar to settle down to what I can only describe as a woody base with dark, earthy tobacco flavors, lots of depth, and just a hint of sweetness in the mix. With all the other cigar smokers puffing away around me, it was a bit difficult to zero-in on the aroma, but from what I could tell it was a woody and leathery.
The Declaration Iniquity was not a complex smoke, yet I was impressed by its excellent balance, straight tobacco taste, and long finish. I would classify the body as medium to full, but those new to cigars may find it a bit much, as it did build to a pretty heady smoke in the last act.
If you prefer a cigar that delivers a good clean tobacco taste and plenty of smoke, I suggest you give the Declaration Iniquity a try. Maybe you'll like it enough to check out Jameson's other fine cigars. They may not be a household name yet, but then, I've always believed in "the slow build."
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