Who says nice guys finish last?!
Getting together with other cigar aficionados is a lot of fun, especially when everyone brings a cigar to exchange. It’s a great way to be introduced to brands we may have otherwise never heard of. Sometimes it’s a bust, but when we come across a winner, it’s an exciting discovery.
Such was the case with The Kind. It’s a cigar I was given this summer, and I’ve been enjoying it ever since. Now, I’m finally getting around to gathering my thoughts, and it’s time to spread the word about this gem of a cigar.
A boutique’s boutique.
The knotted cap indicates great construction.
Time and again, good things happen when experienced cigar venders create their own custom-blended cigars. Their experience and connections put them in the unique position to sell house blends at prices below that of nationally distributed brands (see: The Future of the Cigar Business). And these cigars are almost always of exceptional quality. The Kind is a fine example of this trend.
Sold by Niceashcigars.com, there is a bit of mystery around The Kind. With little info about the brand on their website, Rob Roth, who owns Nice Ash Cigars in upstate New York, is tight-lipped about its blend and origins. But what I do know is that it’s a Nicaraguan puro, blended by Rob, Andy Szymczyk, and Greg “Gregorio” Corbi .
The Kind has an abundance of spice, a quality that implies an Esteli origin. But there is much more than spice in the robusto (5 1/8 X 52) cigar I’ve been enjoying. It’s got a nutty sweetness, a wonderful aroma, and a floral quality that shows its Cuban roots. All the tobaccos in The Kind are well fermented, making for a creamy smoke. But the thing I like most about this cigar is its balance. Too often, Nic. puros are way too spicy, with an overly earthy taste. In The Kind, I find a well-balanced cigar, with a natural tobacco flavor. There is nothing not to like about this super cigar.
The shaggy foot protects the wrapper.
I also love the construction of The Kind. It’s got a shaggy foot and knotted cap, giving it an artisan look. The draw is lush and easy, but the cigar is well-packed, and feels substantial in your hand. I wish all cigars had shaggy foot construction. It keeps the wrapper from tearing where it is most vulnerable.
Availability.
I understand that The Kind may go into national distribution, but as of today, I can only find it on the Nice Ash Cigars website. However, a new line of Nice Ash cigars is on the horizon. Called Gregorio, these cigars will be offered with both a Habano, and Ecuadorian Conn. Wrapper. Judging by how much I enjoy The Kind, I expect these new cigars to be of outstanding quality.
If spicy Nic. puros are your thing, The Kind might really scratch your itch. It truly stands out from the crowd, and is the best of what boutique cigars are all about.
Price: $7.26
