262 Paradigm
jsnake
Posts: 5,979 ✭✭✭✭✭
Ok guys this is a short review on the new 262 Paradigm a medium to full bodied cigar. 262 was originally going to be called Revolution Cigars but due to copyright stuff and legal mumbo jumbo they changed the name. February of 1962 is when President Kennedy signed pen to paper to put in to effect an embargo that would keep us from enjoying Cuban cigars. Of course Kennedy asked an aide to get him 1000 cuban cigars before the embargo took effect. The aide brought Kennedy 1200 Petit H. Upmann cigars, his favorite cigar brand and size. So they decided to put the month and year together and changed their name to 262. Check them out at www.smoketherevolution.com
The Paradigm is "Assembled in Honduras, this well-balanced cigar starts off with 3 fillers coming together to create a rich array of tastes. The Seco and Ligero tobaccos from the Esteli and Jalapa valleys in Nicaragua are blended with a Cubito tobacco, a Cuban-seed leaf grown in Columbia." I was sent 3 unbanded samples in different sizes. Torpedo, robusto, and box press. I decided to start with the torpedo which is my favorite size and shape.
The Look: The cigar construction and over all look was fantastic. You could tell it was a quality stick and not some fly by night attempt at a start up brand. I was impressed with how nice the wrapper looked and the fantastic torpedo end was done perfectly. The cigar felt nice in my hand and had that slight give that I like to see which tells me a cigar is ready to smoke. The wrapper was flawless and beautiful.
The Smoke: I light this bad boy up and start to enjoy it. Right off the bat I notice it has a perfect draw and the ash is burning even. My initial impressions were this cigar is very different from all that I have smoked. It has a very crisp and refreshing start. I could taste the hint of citrus as was described to me from one of the owners. There was no harshness or overpowering taste yet it wasn't bland and mild. I have a hard time describing this but it is really unique start to a cigar. Just think of that freshness when biting into a really good orange.
The ash is very nice and white and solid. I got a good 2 inches going and decided it was time to part ways with it to see if the wrapper burn stays even. This is usually where I will see burn issues. The ash is gone and the cigar continues to burn even. That makes me a happy smoker!
I start to notice I am feeling a little light headed. I had to open a window and get some air. I thought to myself this is odd as so far I haven't hit anything overpowering and full in the cigar yet. The cigar gives way to subtle chocolate notes. You can tell the cigar is developing and changing and I like that. To me it adds some complexity and excitement to the cigar. kind of a wow factor that keeps your attention and makes you want more. Past the hints of chocolate I start getting coffee and I mean no hints or doubt about it there is coffee. I am not a huge fan of drinking coffee but I love the aroma of it. This cigar finished with a nice coffee taste and I really enjoyed it.
My overall impression of this cigar is it is a solid medium to full bodied cigar. It is not a full on kick you in the teeth full bodied cigar yet it does have some power. It has some complexity and nice changes that I think are very noticeable. That being said I think if you are a mild guy this would be the cigar to step up to the next level. If you are a medium to full guy this is your cigar. If you are a full bodied guy this is a cigar you want to check out. I really enjoyed this cigar and was sad I didn't have the other 2 with me to try. It left me wanting to buy a box. In all honesty this cigar is very different and I am excited about it being released. I have never experienced that clean, fresh, citrus taste in a cigar. I honestly wasn't sure if my palate would pick it up but it did. If you guys see it check it out. I might see about doing a contest to get some out to you guys for you to try and post your opinions.
The Paradigm is "Assembled in Honduras, this well-balanced cigar starts off with 3 fillers coming together to create a rich array of tastes. The Seco and Ligero tobaccos from the Esteli and Jalapa valleys in Nicaragua are blended with a Cubito tobacco, a Cuban-seed leaf grown in Columbia." I was sent 3 unbanded samples in different sizes. Torpedo, robusto, and box press. I decided to start with the torpedo which is my favorite size and shape.
The Look: The cigar construction and over all look was fantastic. You could tell it was a quality stick and not some fly by night attempt at a start up brand. I was impressed with how nice the wrapper looked and the fantastic torpedo end was done perfectly. The cigar felt nice in my hand and had that slight give that I like to see which tells me a cigar is ready to smoke. The wrapper was flawless and beautiful.
The Smoke: I light this bad boy up and start to enjoy it. Right off the bat I notice it has a perfect draw and the ash is burning even. My initial impressions were this cigar is very different from all that I have smoked. It has a very crisp and refreshing start. I could taste the hint of citrus as was described to me from one of the owners. There was no harshness or overpowering taste yet it wasn't bland and mild. I have a hard time describing this but it is really unique start to a cigar. Just think of that freshness when biting into a really good orange.
The ash is very nice and white and solid. I got a good 2 inches going and decided it was time to part ways with it to see if the wrapper burn stays even. This is usually where I will see burn issues. The ash is gone and the cigar continues to burn even. That makes me a happy smoker!
I start to notice I am feeling a little light headed. I had to open a window and get some air. I thought to myself this is odd as so far I haven't hit anything overpowering and full in the cigar yet. The cigar gives way to subtle chocolate notes. You can tell the cigar is developing and changing and I like that. To me it adds some complexity and excitement to the cigar. kind of a wow factor that keeps your attention and makes you want more. Past the hints of chocolate I start getting coffee and I mean no hints or doubt about it there is coffee. I am not a huge fan of drinking coffee but I love the aroma of it. This cigar finished with a nice coffee taste and I really enjoyed it.
My overall impression of this cigar is it is a solid medium to full bodied cigar. It is not a full on kick you in the teeth full bodied cigar yet it does have some power. It has some complexity and nice changes that I think are very noticeable. That being said I think if you are a mild guy this would be the cigar to step up to the next level. If you are a medium to full guy this is your cigar. If you are a full bodied guy this is a cigar you want to check out. I really enjoyed this cigar and was sad I didn't have the other 2 with me to try. It left me wanting to buy a box. In all honesty this cigar is very different and I am excited about it being released. I have never experienced that clean, fresh, citrus taste in a cigar. I honestly wasn't sure if my palate would pick it up but it did. If you guys see it check it out. I might see about doing a contest to get some out to you guys for you to try and post your opinions.
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They have a small supply of samples as they have to pay for them and this is a start up. I will be getting more for my B&Ms to sample. I will try to get extras and am definitely going to purchase a box or two for my personal use. I was thinking of doing a contest or game to spread them out for you guys to try. I have a meeting with one of the owners after the holidays and will be getting more info. I will see what sort of deals I can get and let you guys know!
I will also add to this when I try out the other 2 to see if there is any difference in the sizes. I am not repping this yet and this was smoked before I had even decided. The owners of course wanting me to sample them first also to be sure this was a product I could be excited about. Without a doubt I wouldn't rep anything I didn't enjoy. I want to get some to you guys so you can give me feedback too. If you like them I will definitely help out any BOTL!
¨Only two people walk around in this world beardless - boys and women - and I am neither one.¨
My wife likes chocolate and coffee. who knows maybe we will have a new past time. All I have to do is get her to read this review.
Check our revolutions manifesto
http://www.smoketherevolution.com/manifesto.asp
The robusto was once again a solid looking stick. Beautiful wrapper. You know how when you can kind of judge the construction quality of a cigar by the feel? These are quality made sticks and you can judge them by the look and feel and know. The robusto opened up with some spiciness. I could not detect any citrus flavor in this stick but that could be because my pallet gets overpowered by spiciness and that seems to be all I can detect. That is not a bad thing. This cigar seemed to have a little more kick to it than the torpedo. Overall it was very enjoyable and if you like some spicy, dark chocolate, and coffee you will love this.
The box press was my first 2010 cigar. Once again I had a hard time detecting citrus in this size. This cigar seemed to me to hit the dark chocolate and coffee from the start and never backed down. I savored every moment smoking this cigar. Wonderful aroma, solid white ash, tons of smoke. I smoked this thing down to the nub and almost burnt my fingers and lips. It left me wanting more and I thought to myself I could smoke these everyday and never get tired or bored with them.Out of the 3 the torpedo was my favorite. I just loved that fresh start and the hint of citrus. All 3 were quality great sticks. Though they are produced from the same tobacco the different sizes offers each a unique characteristic of its own. Definitely worth giving these a try.
Check them out at www.smoketherevolution.com.
So my overall impression is that this cigar doesn't fit my tastes. I wanted to like it, but in the spirit of objectivity I refrained from reading any other reviews so that nothing tainted my perception. I guess this just proves that no two palates are the same, because I didn't experience this cigar nearly the same as some of you guys.
Thanks to Jake for sending it along so I was able to try it. I'll be smoking the torpedo at some point and will report back if it provides a different experience.
When you get a chance smoke that torpedo and see what you think. I personally love the torpedo the most. Look forward to seeing what you think on the second go.
I attended a KC Cigar Aficionado Club meeting at a location that carries these. I got about half of those in attendance to buy these and almost all of them bought sticks to take home after smoking one. Really good to hear all of the good feedback. I don't necessarily take your review as negative. There is no cigar anywhere that can please everyone.