Today we will be taking a look at a small batch cigar from the people at Jameson Cigar Co., the Santos de Miami! I have been really excited to try this cigar for a few months as it is one of the most unique cigars I have seen, it take the box press shape to a whole new level. Jameson Cigar Co. is a full on boutique cigar brand specializing is small production and limited special releases. Their two Jameson labeled cigars are made in the Dominican Republic like most of their cigars and consist of Dominican, Honduran, Ecuadorian, and Brazilian tobaccos however the small batch label Santos de Miami we are looking at today is a full on Dominican Republic puro, meaning that the entire cigar is crafted with Dominican tobacco.

Jameson Cigar Co. says this about the Santos de Miami:

A blend inspired by the spirit of Miami, particularly Calle Ocho. Santos de Miami features all Dominican grown tobaccos with a Havana Corojo wrapper, Criollo ’98 binder, and Corojo and Criollo fillers. Presented in a box press and finished with a pig tail cap.

 

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Lets get to it shall we?

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  • Cigar Reviewed: Jameson Santos de Miami Haven
  • Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
  • Factory: Tabacalera La Tradicion Cubana
  • Wrapper: Dominican Corojo
  • Binder: Dominican Corojo ‘98
  • Filler: Dominican Corojo, Dominican Criollo
  • Size: 6 Inches
  • Ring Gauge: 54
  • Vitola: Toro
  • MSRP: $8.00 (Boxes of 10, $80.00)
  • Date Released: Early 2011
  • Number of Cigars Released: Regular Production
  • Number of Cigars Smoked for Review: 2

It’s obvious by the look of the cigar that the first thing you notice is the extreme box press this cigar has, it’s incredible. It literally looks like a thick square chocolate bar. Not only is it square as hell, but it’s constructed very well with a light chocolate color wrapper, minimal veins, a tight pack, seamless wrap and a very cool looking pigtail cap. The pre-light aroma is surprisingly almost not existent, there is just the slightest hint of hay and tobacco. The pre-light draw however is quite flavorful with a dry wood, barnyard and a touch of leather. The draw is quite loose as I only had to pluck off the pigtail cap and it was ready to be lit; there was no need for a cutter which is always convenient.

 

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Starting off in the First Third the cigar is mild and sweet with nice aged tobacco flavors as well as some hints of nuts and chocolate. There is a creaminess in flavor as well as texture that is very nice and enjoyable and it mixes with a faint cedar to create an almost Cubanesque character. There is virtually no spice or pepper to speak of, just a touch of heat on the tongue during the finish. The smoke is very light and airy, mild-medium with very little strength.

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Coming into the Second Third the flavors are well balanced and ultra smooth and there are now some really nice toasty flavors coming out and a nice sweet earth behind it all. The creaminess fades a bit and I am now detecting a touch of spice which is a pleasant surprise. The overall body and strength of the cigar increases as well, it’s on the underside of medium at this point, but still quite mild in strength.

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Finishing up in the Final Third the cigar changes up slightly with some dark chocolate and spice on the finish as well as one final increase in body bringing it to a solid medium, the strength increases a bit as well but is still pretty much a mild-medium. I’m enjoying the sweet earth, leather, and overall toasty flavors, definitely a nice ending to a good cigar.

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Final Notes:

  • The construction is extremely important to mention again, it’s simply one of the finest constructed cigars I have seen, it performed very well too with a great draw and wonderful burn.
  • The flavors were excellent, but this isn’t a full bodied powerhouse. It’s hardly medium-bodied at times and has almost no strength but it is absolutely full flavored. There is a lot of flavor in this cigar and it’s extremely smooth. It would be a perfect morning or mid day cigar and is one I will keep in my rotation for sure.
  • One thing to note is that if you are wondering about the colors of the band looking like the Miami Dolphins colors you would be correct, this was definitely intended, but don’t let that keep you away, I personally only deducted 2 points away from the final score because of this.
  • If you are interested in purchasing some of these or any other products from Jameson Cigar Co. please check out Charmed Leaf and they will gladly help you out.
  • Another interesting thing about Jameson Cigar Co. is that they sell their own coffee under the name “Rockstone” and from what I have heard it is indeed wonderful coffee and pairs well with their selection of cigars.
  • Final Smoking time was 1 hour 10 minutes….

 

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The Bottom Line: This was a great cigar, definitely something all of you should check out, it’s certainly one of those most people might never hear about because they are such a boutique style company in every sense of the word, I would say maybe a handful of shops have these in the United States. I know for a fact I will be buying a box or two of these to have on hand, because not only do they look amazing but they taste great too.

 

 

Final Score: 89

Steve Valle

Steve Valle wrote for Smoking Stogie, a precursor to halfwheel, from 2010-2011.