Country of origin: Honduras Color: Colorado Length: 5" Ring gauge: 50 Wrapper: Nicaragua
(shade-grown Corojo) Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua/Colombia/
Costa Rica Rating*: ★★★★
The Gran Habano portfolio is not new to me, but was new to my humidor. Late one evening, I was immediately drawn to the elegance of the Black Dahlia, which is one of Gran Habano’s STK (Stay True Kid) cigars, which started out during the time when the image of the cigar industry was still pretty traditional. Cigars in the STK line began as limited-run boutique blends manufactured in George Rico’s GR Tabacaleras Unidas factory in Little Havana, Miami. Although that factory has closed, the company plans to continue production of this line in their factory in Honduras primarily due to its popularity.
Again, I was rather intrigued by the elegance of the Black Dahlia cigar, which has a gorgeous, slightly oily Colorado wrapper with tiny veins, and a triple cap. The band is adorned with the face of a woman with an ornate headdress of black dahlia flowers. The band refers to the Hollywood Black Dahlia murders of the 1940s, but is also inspired by the art deco history and architecture for which Miami is historically known for. The aroma from the foot is sweet and slightly woody. The cold draw after a guillotine cut is very nice and easy with a honey-like sweetness with cinnamon spiciness. The cigar lights evenly and the burn was slightly even; however, required two quick re-lights during the smoke.
The Black Dahlia is a medium-to-full bodied cigar of medium strength, and produces very heavy smoke with a savory mouth-feel. The first third is sweet, somewhat floral, and quite spicy; black pepper dominates the retrohale, and a ginger-like spiciness sits on the palate. During the second third, the sweetness transitions to increasing woodiness, with an introduction of occasional notes of coffee and anise. The retrohale almost dramatically loses pepper and becomes quite smooth and creamy, like a light and sweet coffee; a complete 180°. This flavor profile continues during the transition to the final third, where the spice and pepper have completely dissipated resulting in a much smoother, but rich and creamy smoke with dominating notes of wood and coffee. Total burn time is 1 hour, 35 minutes.
The Black Dahlia is a fabulous, well-balanced, moderately complex, and well-constructed cigar with a very nice aroma, significant smoke output, and a great long finish. I only had the pleasure of smoking one cigar; however, it was quite enjoyable and most definitely worthy of humidor space.
In addition to the 5” x 50 Robusto, the Gran Habano STK Black Dahlia is available in a 6” x 54 Gran Robusto and a 5⅝” x 46 Corona Gorda.
For more information about Gran Habano and their entire portfolio, check out their website at www.ghcigars.com. On social media, follow and 'LIKE' on Facebook (Gran Habano Cigars), on Twitter (@gh_cigars), and Instagram (@granhabanocigars).
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*Rating legend:
★★★★★ Excellent/Outstanding
★★★★ Very Good
★★★ Good
★★ Fair
★ Poor