Sweet, but not too sweet. That’s the name of the game here. We’re not talking about anything infused. We’re not talking about anything packed with perique tobacco, like the Fat Bottom Betty by Deadwood. What we are talking about is a subtle sweetness that’s just enough to give you that sugary-tongue flavor but not over the top, and not overpowering the other notes.
Even if you’re not a fan of sweet cigars normally, Outcast by Miami Cigar & Company may still be something you enjoy. It’s a smooth, relaxing and flavorful smoke that would be fantastic for those hot summer days outdoors. Yeah, I know, that’s like right now. But you get the point.
I generally consider myself to be an outcast. I tend to be a bit of a rebel, not self-titled, but I don’t go the same way the rest of the river is flowing. If I do, it’s because I’m doing my own thing, never quite aligned with anyone else. So, by all rights, this should be the cigar for me. A cigar for outcasts who are unique and unashamed of being themselves, named, well, on the nose, Outcast cigars.
Blend-wise, Outcast features a mouth-watering Brazilian Cubra wrapper, Ecuadorian Sumatra binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic. Strength is listed as mild to medium, but I’d put this closer to mild.
The brand says its cigars are “built for those who defy the norm and embrace the journey less traveled.” Whatever that means. There’s a pattern of brands claiming to be outside the “norm,” when it either doesn’t make sense or is too tough to gauge. Outcast also says it uses “rare and unconventional tobacco,” which, okay, fair. The Brazilian Cubra is not common.
Don’t take that as me knocking the brand or its cigars. But let’s get into how I enjoyed — or didn’t enjoy — my smoking sessions. Shall we?
Storage and burn
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS LoungeSource: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
First, the storage and burn. While some would love to smoke their cigars right away, like right after unpacking them from a mail drop, I tend to let my cigars rest a week or more. That’s not to say I don’t stare at those cigars wanting. But I’ve learned my lesson about smoking them right away, especially something new I haven’t had before. More often than not, when I smoke too early, I run into issues with the burn or the experience and it’s because they either dried out or they’re not in my ideal condition(s).
I keep my humidor’s relative humidity (RH) between 64 and 67 and the temps in my house stay around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. That will give you some idea as to the conditions they’re stored in and hopefully, it will allow you to compare if and when you have your own experience. And that’s how my Outcast cigars were kept, at least here at home.
In terms of construction and burn, I had no problems with the several cigars I enjoyed. They cut straight through without much trimmings. The cap stayed intact with no need to slobber on the end or fiddle with the tobacco. Moreover, they all lit nicely without much fussing. They burned evenly, too. You’d be surprised how often that’s not the case. Or maybe you wouldn’t, I dunno.
Flavors and experience
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS LoungeSource: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Outcast says this is a “bold expression of individuality.” While I wouldn’t describe the flavors or experience as bold, I understand where they’re coming from. Immediately upon lighting you’re enveloped in rich cedar and wood flavors, with notes of hay, earth, and milk chocolate. There’s a sweetness that carries its way through the entire experience, just as I talked about in the intro. My guess is the Cubra and the Sumatra working together brings those sweet flavors into a more elevated blend.
If you’re looking for lots of pepper or a strong kick, it’s not here. It never quite reaches a crescendo of spice either. It stays pretty mild, yet flavorful, and has a very satisfying smoothness and consistency that drives the smoking experience.
If I knew what I was having going in, I probably would have reached for something else on the shelf. But that’s because, sometimes, I don’t always know what I want and I suspect it’s the same for many out there. Yeah, sure, sometimes I know exactly what to reach for, but not always. The Outcast fits right into that gap and I can categorically pick out where, at least for my own palate.
The aroma this cigar gives off, however, is incredible. It’s one that I know some would comment on, were they to smell it also, and it would be an excellent light somewhere more open, like the beach or even in a lounge. The only concern I have with lighting it up in a lounge is if there are lots of other smokers around you, and they have stronger stuff lit, it might overpower some of the flavors.
As a final note, I will say it’s complex enough to remain interesting all the way through and perfectly pairs with a sweet beverage like soda (Pepsi or Root Beer), tea or something heavier, like bourbon. I would stay away from scotch and more exonerated drinks, as those might seriously overpower the flavor notes here.
Outcast Cigars review: Closing statements
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
I like unique, interesting blends that do something a little different from everything else on the market. I don’t know that I would describe Outcast cigars as something that remarkably different, but the Cubra and Sumatra wrappers keep things bright, fun and savory. Would I recommend this cigar to others? Yes, but only if you like sweet or semi-sweet experiences. Not infused, mind you, but sweeter than your average stogie.
The flavors stay pretty consistent, and it doesn’t deviate much from cedar, chocolate, hay and earth flavors, but that’s okay. You know what you’re getting, there are no major surprises and there are no letdowns — once you know what you’re working with.
Briley specifics
Recommended: Yes
Would I smoke it again? Yes.
Will I buy more? Yes, eventually.
My preferred size: Toro
Outcast Cigars specs
Profile: Mild to medium-bodied.
Approximate smoking time: 45 minutes to an hour
Box count: 10
MSRP: $115 or ~$11.50 per stick (Toro size)
If you like this, you might also like: Warped La Colmena, Deadwood Leather Rose, Tabak Especial, La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor, New World Dorado by AJ Fernandez, Dunbarton Sobremesa Brulee, Trinidad Espiritu Series No. 3, Blackened Shade to Black by Drew Estate.
You’ll notice that my format is meant to be short and sweet, like this Carenas Ultramar review, or the previous Aganorsa Rare Leaf Maduro review. I don’t intend to keep up with the big leagues, I’m one guy. There won’t be any scores. However, I do want these reviews to be a resource for those looking for similar smokes or experiences.
Briley has over 16 years in the publishing and content marketing business. He's been writing about cigars for nearly half that in various forms. What makes him a tour de force is he also smokes them.
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
