A Cigar Fit for a Viking Princess ... None Other than Freyja by Las Cumbres Tabaco

The Freyja Cigar



It's not often you meet a Viking Princess in a sea of pirates, villains, witches and warriors, but the Freyja cigar,  blended by Emma Viktorsson, co-owner and marketing manager for Las Cumbres Tabaco, stands out in beauty, refinement and strength. From the gorgeously designed band with two scenes (the Goddess Freyja herself and Viking ships), to the flawless caramel color Dominican Criollo wrapper, the Freyja cigar was designed to stand out nicely on the B&M shelves.

Blend:

- Wrapper: Dominican Criollo ’98

- Binder: Mexican San Andrés

- Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano, Dominican Criollo ’98, Nicaragua Estelí

Vitolas: The names of Freyja´s cigar-line represent her and a few other Viking Gods:

- “Sessrúmnir” is Freyja Heavenly Hall – Sessrúmnir Corona Larga 5 3/4 X 42

- “Valhalla” is the main God Odin´s Heavenly Hall – Valhalla Robusto 5 1/2 X 50

-  Son of Odin, “Thor” – Thor´s Toro 6 X 54

- “Valkyrie” to once again represent this beautiful Goddess – Valkyrie Pyramid 6/2 X 52

"The name Freyja is for me the bridge between my Swedish roots and the Cigar-Countries,” says Emma Viktorsson, a ten-year cigar industry veteran. "Freyja is the main Viking Goddess, Goddess of beauty, love and fertility as well as being the head of the Valkyrie."

Truth be told, I have smoked more than 20 Freyja cigars of various sizes since its release last year, but for this review I smoked 2 Valhalla Robusto cigars. Here is a photo of Freyja at her launch party at Sanji Cigars in Bloomfield, NJ.

Sitting in the comfort of my favorite chair at the Cigar Vault lounge in Staten Island, I guillotine cut the first cigar ( and v-cut the second) and detect molasses, almonds and espresso in the Cold Draw with an earth and spice scent at the Foot.

The first few puffs are very nutty ( peanuts & almonds) joined by a clean white pepper spice that is strong to me but not overwhelming. A little further into the smoking experience, the flavors are joined by sweet hay, wood and espresso. A very good 1st Third with great burn & nicely melded flaves. This is a solid medium at this stage.

While smoking into the 2nd Third my palate is welcomed with caramel and cedar, then chocolate and espresso ! Yum this cigar reminds me of a Caramel Mocha Macchiato ! Pure indulgence on my part as my mind settles down, my shoulders relax and I snuggle into the armchair feeling completely relaxed.

@RobustoBabe 

Just when I  had become complacent with the flavors, the profile changes again challenging my senses-- I love it! In the Final Third, in one cigar the strong espresso and mixed nuts were more prominent. In the second cigar the spicy red pepper was the dominant flavor. But overall I could detect a sumptuous mix of espresso, leather, nuts, spicy pepper with an earth and clove finish.  The Freyja ranges in medium to medium plus in strength but full in flavor all the way through.

The Freyja is a finely blended cigar with complex flavors that tantalizes the tastebuds ! In two words, DELISH™ and Boxworthy !

Freyja has easily become one of my go to cigars and has earned a significant place in my Top 5 Cigars for 2015.

For more information about Freyja, Emma or  Las Cumbres Tabaco, please visit: http://lascumbrestabaco.com/freyja-cigars/ 

For Emma's fabulous Cigar Fantasia blog, please visit http://www.cigarfantasia.com/ 

Wishing you long ashes --

Robusto Cigar Babe

The Luscious Senorial Maduro Is a Flavorful Fix

Funny how a cigar that I dubbed as a top cigar of LAST YEAR consistently stays on my mind and between my fingers this year also! Plus, now Senorial Maduro is available in more B&Ms so wherever I go I can have my Senorial fix.

After loving Senorial for a long time, I waited for the Maduro version. I knew it was going to be love at first scent when I met Senorial Maduro at a smoke-filled lounge on the Upper East Side. Looking luscious, sleek and dark, he had all the looks I enjoy, but it was the cold draw and first puffs that drew me in and held me tightly. Not just a cuddle, I felt seduced, enthralled, and comforted with Senorial Maduro in hand. As I held onto him and admired his appearance, I realized how much I didn't want this union to go away. He's ohhhh soooo good.


The LOOK is a sleek, chocolate color MADURO wrapper.

The COLD DRAW produces a mix of CEDAR and EARTH. It's got a SWEETNESS that you can taste on your lips.

For the FIRST THIRD there is a blast of PEPPER and CEDAR. Then a few puffs in you can easily detect CHOCOLATE and an EARTHINESS with a definite RAISIN sweetness.  Further in you can taste the CHOCOLATE caressing your palate as it moves to the forefront along with the balance of the EARTHY tones. PEPPER is still present and the balance is very good.

The SECOND THIRD brings CHOCOLATE as the main flavor in this profile for a few puffs with EARTH, CEDAR, SPICE, and a hint of sweetness in the background. This is my favorite part of the cigar. Every stick I've smoked is consistent, delicious and balanced. Towards the end of this third, it gets a little more EARTHY, but it's very manageable with all of the other flavors this cigar puts out.

The LAST THIRD eases in with EARTH, CEDAR and PEPPER as the prominent flavors. In the background you can taste CHOCOLATE and a sweet RAISIN. 

I usually look for Senorial Maduro in the afternoon. With a cup of coffee as this cigar is a complete dream. He's bold, reliable and I love the way he smells. Medium in strength, Senorial Maduro is perfect for that afternoon delight when you know you want a little something to carry you through the day. Make no mistake, this is not a quickie cigar -- you will want to savor this beauty -- and completely enjoy everything that Senorial Maduro offers you.  Where have you been all my life Senorial Maduro ... Mmmhmmmm, completely delectable ... and BOXWORTHY too.

Wishing you long ashes,

Robusto Cigar Babe

@RobustoBabe