Wrapper: Nicaragua

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Size: 6 by 50

Strength: Medium

Price: Sample from the manufacturer at IPCPR

From asylumcigars.com:

The first-ever release from Asylum Cigars will soon be ablaze in cigar shops nationwide. Kevin Baxter and Tom Lazuka, the dynamic co-founding duo, are introducing two lines—Asylum, which makes its eponymous debut—and it’s sibling, Asylum 13. In addition, they’ll launch their second brand,Schizo. What many would say is a, “take no prisoners” approach, Asylum Cigars is breaking out with a diversity of taste profiles and formats at very approachable prices, achieving their goal of appealing to a broad cigar audience at every level.

Baxter and Lazuka are proud that Asylum Cigars will provide customers a diversity of new experiences. Lazuka noted, “By partnering with Christian Eiroa and his company, Tabacaleras Unidas, we have a platform that gives us the ability to create full-body, high-palate-impact to truly flavorful medium bodied cigars and our formats range from 44 x 4 to 70 x 7, all rolled with the finest available Nicaragua tobacco reserves.” Baxter added, “Developing blends that will satisfy customers and leave them wanting more was no easy task but we believe we’ve done just that.”

Initial Observations: The medium brown wrapper has a light reddish hue and a very light sheen of natural oil. It also appears to be constructed perfectly. There are no tears, holes, sun or water spots and the cap sits perfectly centered on the head of the cigar. There is an aroma of wood, hay and a honey-like sweetness.

First Blush Puffs: Once the Asylum is cut, the cold draw brings notes of hay, earth and the sweet honey. Notes of leather linger on my lips. Upon lighting, I am greeted with spice on the tip of the tongue, followed by oak and a sweet creaminess. There is also a hearty, smoky flavor that instantly made me want some beef jerky. (In case you were wondering, for me, that is a VERY good thing.)

First Third: There is a rich balance of oak and spice that is warm on the palate. It has a smooth, creamy finish but it leaves hints of leather and spice in the after taste. After a half inch or so, I begin to pick up hints of anise on the back of the palate, lingering into the finishing notes and mingling with pepper in the retrohale. The flavors are perfectly balanced, yet rich.

Second Third: The flavors remain perfectly balanced until about halfway into the cigar. That this point, I get a little blast of a peppery spice on the palate and in the retrohale. The leather is also a bit more pronounced at this point. The oak is still subtly noticeable in the background, as well as some hints of coffee. There is still a smooth, creamy finish that rounds out the flavors perfectly.

Final Third: At the beginning of the cigars final third, I notice that smoky flavor from the beginning once more. The richness of the smokiness with the coffee, anise, oak, leather and pepper is an incredible mix that makes for a great blend of flavors and some amazing smelling smoke. As I continue to smoke, the oak and pepper become much more subtle and coffee lingers in the after taste.

Conclusions: As soon as I lit up the Asylum, I knew I was in for a real treat. From start to finish it had y palate in awe. It was rich in flavor but perfectly balanced. No single note overshadowed the rest. In my opinion it was the perfect medium cigar both in strength and body I loved the subtle depth of it that lingered consistently until my final puff. The draw was right where I like it, the burn was almost perfect… Truthfully, I can only find one negative thing to say: it ended. But it ended on a good note that made me want to light up another immediately.