In May of 2010, Viaje cigars released their first in what would eventually become an almost comically large number of Skull and Bones cigars. Named after a popular bomb that was retired in 2008, the Daisy Cutter was one of the cigars, along with the original release Exclusivo Robustos and the original release Holiday Blend that really put Viaje on the map.

Here is what I said in my original review of the Daisy Cutter back in May of 2010:

This cigar is a perfect example of how great quality tobacco can enhance a smoke. You can taste the quality in every puff, and while the cigar is not the most complex in the world, the flavors that are present are so velvety smooth and refined, it is hard to find fault with it, add the great burn and draw, and this ended up being an incredibly pleasing smoke. This is definitely the best (and strongest) Viaje I have smoked, and while I wish the pepper had stayed on a bit longer, that is a fairly minor quibble in the grand scheme of things. It was a really great cigar.

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But enough of that, let’s get down to business, shall we?

• Cigar Reviewed: Viaje Skull and Bones White Daisy Cutter
• Country of Origin: Honduras
• Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas S. de R.L. (Raíces Cubanas)
• Wrapper: Nicaragua Sun Grown Criollo
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Size: 4 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 54
• Vitola: Petit Robusto
• Est. Price: $9.00 (Boxes of 25, $225.00)
• Year Released: May 2010
• Number of Cigars Released: 150 Boxes of 25 Cigars (3,750 total cigars)
• Number of Cigars Smoked For Redux: 1 

The Viaje Skull and Bones Daisy Cutter is a rustic looking cigar with a dark espresso slightly reddish brown wrapper that is toothy without being rough, and still has a bit of oil present. It is hard when squeezed, but not enough to worry me, and it looks well constructed. The Nicaraguan wrapper smells very strongly of tobacco, black coffee, pepper and a bit of leather.

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The Daisy Cutter starts out strong with flavors of slightly bitter espresso, dark chocolate, leather, cedar and black pepper on the retrohale. There is just a tiny amount of spice that comes and goes, but it is not enough to make a huge difference on the profile. There is very little sweetness noticeable, but some creaminess present that shows up for short periods throughout the smoke. The second half retained much of the same profile, although I did notice a fleeting flavor of a cinnamon note towards the end.

Construction is excellent overall with a wonderful burn and perfect resistance for the draw. In fact, the only problem I had with the construction at all was that the cigar burned a bit hot at the end, forcing me to put it down before I wanted to—but probably after I should have anyway. Strength started at a solid medium and ended the cigar at a strong medium. The final smoking time was right at one hour and 10 minutes.

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The Bottom Line: There is a reason the Daisy Cutter is one of the original releases that put Viaje on the map. Dark, rich flavors that combine perfectly with the pepper that is present to produce a extremely balanced cigar. While still a very good cigar after two years, the main changes in the two versions are quite noticeable: there is very little sweetness left in the profile and the overall strength has obviously toned down. Having said that, these are still easily the best Skull and Bones to date and they also remain among the very best that Viaje has ever released.

Original Score: 91
Redux Score: 90