The Asylum Cigar line, (C.L.E. Cigar Company), is known for its unorthodox and out of the box thinking when it comes to their cigars. Names like Asylum 13, April Fools, Nyctophillia, and Schizo, are names that one tends not to forget for their satirical representation of humanity’s sometimes rebellious brain functions. That being said, the Cool Brew is their first foray into the flavored cigar category. According to Christian Eiroa, Founder and President of C.L.E. Cigar Company, the intention of this cigar is to attract new people to the cigar culture and introduce them to the hobby with the hopes that they will remain and grow their palettes and experience other cigars.
Under the Lid
Dark brown with some lighter mottling is the first thing I notice. The cigar is rugged with some small lumps throughout the body of the cigar. The cap is rounded but somewhat asymmetrical and the filler is a light brown with some darker fleck dispersed throughout. The foot is densely packed, and the cigar is firm in the hand. One thing to note, I cannot help but take in the sweet mint and chocolate that is coming off the cigar. Up close, the cigar smells like milk chocolate covered in mint. One has to pay close attention to get a sense that there are some coffee notes underneath it all. The dry draw confirms what I initially smelled, milk chocolate, mint, and a small hint of coffee. At this point I am not able to get much from the actual tobacco. Lol
• Wrapper: Maduro
• Binder: Honduras
• Filler: Honduras
• Vitola: Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 54), Gordo (6 x 60), Large (7 x 70)
• Factory: CLE Cigar Company, Honduras
• Release Date: PCA 2023
• Number of boxes released: Regular Production
• MSRP: Robusto $10 (Box of 25/$250), Toro $11 (Box of 25/$275), Gordo $12 (Box of 25/$300), Large $13.50 (Box of 25/$337.50)
Personally, I am taken back 20 plus years, to a time when I was a newbie to the cigar industry. I had my first cigars while deployed with the Army overseas. Once home, I enthusiastically dove into the culture and tried my share of flavor infused cigars. True to the CLE wish, I remained, and my palette matured into smoking a smorgasbord of pure tobacco cigars. However, today I will still pick up the occasional Tabak, Sweet Jane or Java. So, I am intrigued to see the Asylum spin on this.
Using a straight cut, I toast the foot and prepare to take a few starting puffs. The mint and chocolate immediately coat my lips and we are on our way.
Performance Notes:
First third: I am immediately refreshed when I begin smoking this cigar. The mint is awakening, and the milk chocolate is quite smooth and creamy. I’m so intrigued at this point that I don’t really pay attention to what may be lying beneath these obvious flavors. As I progress into the end of the first third, I am decidedly happy with the mint and milk chocolate but am wanting more of the hint of coffee that peeks through the undercurrent of flavors.
Second third: The mint has pretty much become the main focus of the cigar going into the second third. I am enjoying it, but my mature palette is starting to ask for something more. I am trying to distinguish the pure tobacco notes and when I do catch a hint, they consist of coffee, wood, and a vague leather. They feel like a tease to me and I’m hoping that they are able to shine through a bit more as the cigar progresses. Even the milk chocolate has died down somewhat and the mint is unequivocally the leader.
Final third: In the final stretch the cigar does not really transition. The mint still remains the main flavor note as the milk chocolate wafts in and out. The tobacco notes are a bit more earthy at this point and although they do pick up in the final draws, they do not reveal themselves enough to be truly identified. I go into the end of the cigar as I did the beginning, feeling refreshed, excited, but wanting a bit more.
Core Flavors: Mint, Milk Chocolate, Coffee
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Complexity: Medium
Smokin Experience: The niche for this cigar is definitely not lost on me. The experience was filled with paradox for me as I understand the intent of the cigar and for that, it truly hits the mark. However, with a mature palette, I had to realize that what I wanted to experience from the tobacco, was not going to happen. In the realm of flavored cigars, I can say this is a great blend. Consistent in its flavors with the core notes remaining throughout the smoke, and complex enough to know there is some good tobacco underneath it all. On a humorous note, I felt so confused, satisfied, yet longing for more, that I truly had trouble deciding where this cigar lies on the rating numbers. It rates high for flavored cigars and lower for mature palettes. If you are a new smoker, go get you some. If you are experienced, grab a few anyway and have them for the morning wake up or nighttime wind down. In true Asylum fashion, this cigar was a mind bender for me.
Purchase Recommendation: Grab a Fiver
Smokin Facts:
• Tom Lazuka, VP of Sales, and Co-Founder of Asylum Cigars believes in the “rebellious personality” of Asylum blends and the goal is to have fun.
• Christian Luis Eiroa began helping with tobacco at age 8. Previously associated with Camacho Cigars, he went out on his own in 2012 with the launch of C.L.E. Cigar Company
Smokin Wrap
Cigars smoked for the review: Two
Average smoking time: 55 minutes
Score: 88
Diana (Dee) Pitman – Product Reviewer
Diana Pitman, known in the cigar world as “Dee” or “The Queen Of Cigars”, was born and raised in southern New Jersey. Her lifelong dream of joining the military became a reality at 43 years young. She served in the US Army Nurse Corps as an ER Nurse and deployed in support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. It was during her military service in 2004 that she first smoked cigars. Upon her Honorable discharge at the rank of Captain in 2010, she continued smoking cigars and it slowly progressed from a coping tool to a hobby, and finally to a passion. She resides in South Jersey with her Service Dog Finn Ezekiel and looks forward to retirement from her position of Director of the Cumberland County Department of Veterans Affairs and traveling the country visiting cigar lounges and her many friends she has made through the cigar lifestyle.
