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Cigar Review: Abaddon (Blue Havana Exclusive)

12 Aug 2013

Chicago has no shortage of great tobacco shops, and Blue Havana is no exception. Located about 10 minutes south of Wrigley Field by foot, the tobacconist boasts a wonderful selection and the city’s largest humidor (over 700 square feet).

Abaddon CriolloBolstering Blue Havana’s position as a premier cigar destination for the region are two new exclusive smokes that are set to debut imminently. Both are crafted at Fabrica de Tabacos Nica Sueño in Estelí by Skip Martin of RoMa Craft Tobac. Many of you will recall that RoMa Craft’s portfolio includes Intemperance, CroMagnon, and Aquitaine.

The first of the two forthcoming Blue Havana exclusive cigars is called Ouroboros (named after an ancient symbol depicting a dragon eating its own tail). Available in one size (6.25 x 52) for $8.50, it has a Mata Fina wrapper from Brazil, an Indonesian binder, and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Only 40 boxes of 12 will be produced in the first run.

The second Blue Havana cigar is Abaddon (the name given to the dwelling place of the dead in the Hebrew Bible). It has a dark, oily, slightly mottled Nicaraguan hybrid (Criollo/Corojo) wrapper from Nicaragua, a Mata Fina binder, and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Like Ouroboros, only 40 boxes of 12 are being produced—at least for now—and all Abaddon cigars are in the same size (6.25 x 52). The price is $8.15 apiece.

After clipping Abaddon’s cap and establishing an even light on the closed foot, pre-light notes of sweet chocolate transition to a profile of coffee, black pepper, nut, and a flavor that reminds me a little of fennel. The texture is thick and leathery. Despite the fragrance of the unlit cigar, only a trace of sweetness is evident on the palate. While I could go on trying to name the various flavors that jump out at me, the bottom line is this: Abaddon is balanced, interesting, and, above all, complex.

It maintains my attention throughout the long, slow-burning experience, and the physical properties do not detract from my enjoyment. The draw is moderate, the smoke production solid, and the burn line straight.

Abaddon is one of the more interesting cigars I’ve smoked this year and, no, I’m not giving it extra points just because it’s ultra-exclusive (or because it’s from my hometown). With a wonderful fragrance, unique flavors, and solid construction, the sample I smoked for this review assures I’ll be heading to Blue Havana to pick up more once it’s released in September. For those outside Chicago, Blue Havana tells me they are working to accommodate phone and/or online orders, so keep your eyes open. For now, Abaddon merits a rating of four and a half stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

4 Responses to “Cigar Review: Abaddon (Blue Havana Exclusive)”

  1. Axel Monday, August 12, 2013 at 1:52 pm #

    Will this sounds downright tasty and unique. Hopefully they get the online/phone order system in place since I’m in TX. Thanks for the review!

    • Bobby K Friday, August 16, 2013 at 1:31 pm #

      Yep…I went to the Blue Havana website and it there was pretty much nothing there. I hope they get theor online presence started soon!

  2. Jam345 Monday, August 12, 2013 at 3:53 pm #

    I’ve liked everything else made by RoMa Craft so far, so I can’t imagine I wouldn’t like this. Sounds delicious! Hopefully I can get my hands on some.

  3. Archie Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at 8:09 am #

    Yup. I want.