Cigar Review: Zino Z-Class

643C (Corona), 5.625" x 43 ring gauge / approx. $8

The Z-Class is the first new line in the Zino Platinum catalog in 8 years, joining the Crown and Scepter Series. The official press release for the Z calls the cigar "new and modern" (which is fine, makes sense) and "inspired by motion" (I have yet to figure out what that means). It features a Dominican wrapper leaf, Peruvian Pelo de Oro Visus binder and filler from Nicaragua and Honduras (Jalapa Especial Ligero, Esteli Ligero, Cuban Seed Ligero and San Vicente Ligero...that's a lot of ligero, especially for a Zino!). There are 4 sizes, ranging in price from $8 to 12 MSRP, all packed in modern tins of 20. Here's where I stop and tell you that I've tried some of the other Zino Platinum releases and never found them particularly mind-blowing; they start at $15 or so and go north of $30 and I've just never found them all that flavorful...elegant and well-made for sure, but just not palate-pleasing to me. So I was a bit dubious about these when I heard about them. Then I got a sampler of all four sizes in the mail...a very big "Thank you!" to Mike from Buckhead Cigars (follow him on Twitter: @buckheadcigar) for sending me these for a review. I smoked one each of the Robusto and Toro before I lit up the Corona for this review.

My initial impression of the Z-Class was "It's dark for a Zino." The wrapper is not that dark, but a nice milk chocolate shade is still darker than you typically expect in a Zino product. The band in black with silver highlights looked spectacular next to it. On the wrapper leaf, I detected that familiar Dvaidoff aroma--a forest, sort of fungus-y scent that is practically like a fingerprint; the foot had a clean earth aroma with a little chocolate to it. The look and feel of the cigar was oily and the outward construction looked as good as you would expect from a manufacturer of this pedigree. The prelight draw was perfect and had flavor notes of natural tobacco along with an almost black cherry sweetness and a lingering spicy burn on the lips.

After lighting, the sweetness was still fruitlike but less distinguishable. I also got notes of creamy coffee on the tongue with a roasted nuts and pepper spice retrohale. Right from the start the smoke was thick and medium-to-full in body. By the time the first third was over the flavor had developed a more earthy base with sweet highlights and a peppery finish.

The second third had the earthy flavors morphing into a more cedary flavor with hints of citrus--I suspect coming from that Peruvian binder. Although the draw continued to be very good, I did start to get some tarry build-up on the head and I had to correct the burn line 3 or 4 times by the end of this third. I did not experience either of those issues with the Robusto or Toro. I re-trimmed the head in an attempt to prevent further tar extrusion.

All three samples I smoked of the Z-Class exhibited a full range of flavors I have not previously experienced in a Zino product. The last third of this one had a rich natural tobacco goodness along with notes of cedar and spice. The only thing preventing this from achieving a perfect 10 was the fact that it had some construction issues, but that could be variable from stick to stick. In my experience, though, you really cannot go wrong with any vitola--I'm even having trouble picking out my favorite. Extraordinary cigar, made even moreso by the fact that it is by far the least expensive item in the Zino Platinum catalog. I cannot  recommend it for novice smokers because of the amount of body and nicotine strength, but it is definitely a cigar that enthusiasts should seek out and try.

Body: 7/10

Strength: 7/10

Complexity: 8/10

AFP Scale

Prelight: 2/2

Construction: 1.5/2

Flavor: 5/5

Value: 1/1

Total: 9.5/10

Have you had the Z-Class yet? Tell us what you thought...leave a comment below!