Cigar Review: Room 101 One Shot One Kill Trucha
26 Jun 2012
As I noted last month when I reviewed the San Andreas, I didn’t know what to think when Camacho announced a partnership with jewelery maker Matt Booth, whose Room 101 brand is named after the torture room in George Orwell’s classic dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. The original Room 101, while far from a bad cigar, didn’t do much for me.
Since then, I’ve been far more impressed by Room 101. I’ve found Conjura, Namakubi, Connecticut, and the new San Andres all very enjoyable. Which is why I wanted to try the One Shot One Kill (OSAK), introduced earlier this year. (I did smoke a pre-release sample from an event last fall.)
The limited edition line has some interesting characteristics. It comes in three distinct perfecto sizes, from the small Filero (4.5 x 52-42) to the large Chingon (8 x 60-44), and features very original packaging. The cigars are wrapped in tissue paper, then placed in a decorative patterned paper tube, before being packed in boxes of ten. The unique band has stylized OSOK initials and a QR code on the back that sends you to Room 101’s Facebook page.
The blend is comprised of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Honduran corojo binder, and a combination of Honduran corojo and Dominican piloto ligero filler. I smoked the $10 Trucha size, which is 6.5 inches in length with a ring gauge that’s 19 at the foot and 50 at it’s widest point.
It’s a good looking cigar with a milk chocolate wrapper and a bit of shine. It’s well-constructed, with an open draw and an ash that holds for well-over an inch.
Once I light up the OSOK I find distinctly dry flavors: cedar, toast, slight cinnamon, and black pepper that hits the back of he tongue. It’s a medium-bodied cigar that lets off highly aromatic, cedary smoke. As it develops, it sheds some of its dryness. Earth and roasted flavors develop as the cigar gets near the 50% mark but, by the end, the dominant cedar flavor is back with vengeance.
If you like dry, cedar-driven smokes, then this is a must-try. But if you, like me, prefer more nuance and complexity, the one-dimensional aspect of the Room 101 may not be a big hit. Considering the price, I’d much prefer the Room 101 San Andres or Conjura. That doesn’t mean OSOK is a bad cigar. I rather enjoyed the first 30 minutes. I just didn’t find it interesting enough for an hour and a half cigar. The next time I smoke one, I’ll certainly be reaching for the smaller Filero. In the end, the Room 101 One Shot One Kill Trucha earns a rating of three and a half stogies out of five.
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photo credit: Stogie Guys
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I just can't make the jump to start trying Room 101 stuff. I guess, for me, it's too expensive for the perceived value, and too hard to come by the product. OSOK in particular does not sound like it’s up my alley as I’m not attracted to dryness or cedar, and I’m much more interested in balance or cigars that are creamy or mocha-y.
So far, the Namikubi has been a decent cigar for me. Yes they are expensive, but for this brand, this is the one I've enjoyed most. Never tried the OSAK yet.
What was the price of it?
$10
I just tried these for the first time last week. I loved them. Effortless draw and good flavor.
I was in Miami Florida on vacation and i wanted to try some thing new. the cuban attendant at the cigar shop introduced me to the OSOK 101 and im glad she did. smooth and easy to smoke. great flavor and great cigar.