262sday Review: Revere

Robusto, 5” x 50 ring gauge / MSRP $7.13

The Chattanooga Tweet-Up was not the “official” launch of the 262 Revere, more of a “consumer preview.” The cigar made its debut at the retailer convention in early August, but 262 president, Clint Aaron, made sure to hold some sticks back and get them in our hands at the Tweet-Up, so we could get them into the hands (and mouths) of some very lucky smokers who traveled to Chattanooga. I had one at the event and brought home another for review. This latest addition to the 262 family of cigars is their first Nicaraguan puro, featuring fillers from Esteli, Condega and Jalapa; dual binders from Jalapa and Esteli; and a Jalapa Valley wrapper. The official launch event will be held at Riverside Cigars in Jeffersonville, Indiana, (right across the river from Louisville, Kentucky) in October. The cigar will be available everywhere after that in Corona, Robusto and Box-Press Toro sizes; it will also be available as a Lonsdale only at J. Shepherd Cigars in Louisville.

Something about the Revere banding just looks...American to me. It’s battered and worn-looking, but classic and defiant, all at once. It declares “Smoke the Revolution” right there plainly for everyone to see and takes its name from the man who warned early patriots that “the British are coming!” The wrapper had a leathery, oily appearance with a few medium and slightly larger veins; it smelled of rich tobacco and foresty earth, while the foot had more of a barnyard earthiness and a hint of spice. The prelight draw was easy and tasted of dried fruit, coffee bean and earth.

Lighting up the Revere was easy enough, even with my single flame torch. I initially got a wave of earthiness with an undercurrent of cocoa powder and raisin, along with a pepper burn blast and some cedar on the retrohale. The spice died down a bit after the first 10 minutes or so, but never went away completely. The blend was nicely balanced between earthier and bitter notes of black coffee and sweeter fruit notes.

In the second third, the 262 Revere lost a little more of its spiciness and grew a little more earthy in overall tone, and in doing so held onto that essential Nicaraguan flavor profile. Construction was excellent overall, featuring a wonderful draw, strong ash, and only a couple minor touchups to keep the burn line straight.

In the last third, the Revere got even more intensely earth, losing some of the sweetness that had been there previously, and gaining more of an espresso bean note. The body was medium to full the entire time with little change beginning to end and the strength was nowhere near overwhelming, so this would be a good choice for anyone who loves Nicaraguan tobacco and the flavor profile it often brings. I would say this compares well to famous Nicaraguan smokes like the Padron 1000 series in flavor, but in my opinion it is even better in some ways, especially as it pertains to overall balance and construction. The price is right, too, for what is a boutique company. Overall, an excellent addition to the 262 portfolio and something that will make its way into my humidor on a regular basis...and a contender (wait for it, Clint)...for Cigar of the Year.

Body: 7/10

Strength: 6/10

Complexity: 7/10

AFP Scale

Prelight: 2/2

Construction: 2/2

Flavor: 5/5

Value: 1/1

Total: 10/10