What I have heard is that it’s a spicy pepper bomb with a lot of mineral and chocolate flavors, and that sounds like it would delight my palate. Looking it up and down, it’s a pretty dark beauty with a toothy Mexican San Andrés wrapper atop an Ecuadorian Habano binder, holding in Nicaraguan long-fillers. I can already taste the spices writing all of that out.

The real character in this cigar, and most of Black Label’s lineup really, is the band. It’s dark, it’s gothic, it’s brooding, and badass. No skulls this time around, bummer, but it does have a signature cross atop a blackened heart with a slightly embossed design. Anyway, enough beating around the wrapper, let’s cut this bad boy and light up, shall we? Make sure you have a cold one set out, of course. Also, I use “fuck” a lot in this review. If you’re sensitive to bad words you should probably stop here.

Storage and burn

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Yadda yadda, consistency is key, so I will repeat what I always do here. I keep my humidor’s relative humidity (RH) between 64 and 67, and the temps in my house stay around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, I always let my cigars rest. I grabbed a few Super Deluxe when I had the chance, and they sat around in my humidor for quite some time. I always like to pick the right moment to smoke something new, and I’ve been pretty busy typing like Kermit on international pet a typewriter day.

During testing I deployed my usual straight cut, V cut, and punch — but I prefer straight. I know some folks prefer other cuts, but I’ve talked to master blenders who recommend the guillotine method. Plus, I like the draw it provides.

Not quite spongy, not quite stiff, I clipped the back end of the Super Deluxe and it fell away like a charm. No mess, no residues, no flakes. I didn’t even have to nudge or tap the end to make sure loose bits were removed. That could be a testament to my cutting skills, my storage prowess, or just the cigar makers — they roll a tight wad. While puffing, there were no burn issues, no tunneling, no uneven lines, and certainly no need to relight, which I absolutely adore when that happens. No fuss, stress-free smokes, yes, please. To prove it wasn’t a fluke, I smoked several and each time I had the same experience. Take that as you will, there may be duds here and there, but I didn’t encounter one.

Flavors and experience

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

I’ve read comments complaining that cigar reviewers often list generic flavors. If that’s how you feel, frankly, you can fuck right off. It’s win or lose either way. Because then people will bitch that you’re making up shit if you explain nuanced flavors you taste and they didn’t. I’ve said time and time again that most people who can’t taste anything are either smoking too fast or storing their cigars wrong. Bad cigars happen, sure, but there are people out there that just cannot be pleased. I will never understand why someone who can kick back, relax and enjoy a cigar would spend most of their waking hours miserable, but hey, it’s a fucked up world out there, and I digress.

Dark chocolate is the prevailing aroma and flavor here. From the cold draw to the first light all the way down to a nub, that chocolate stays true all the way through. It’s fucking great. It wavers between dark chocolate, cocoa, milk chocolate, and some spaces between, and if you don’t know the difference between those flavors, go buy a bunch of plain chocolate bars with different types of chocolate and start sucking those bad boys like your ex wife’s toes.

More flavor notes

I also tasted baking spices, black pepper, earth notes like subtle hay, dried fruit, which I picked up as cherry, strong wood flavors like oak or cedar, honeyed mead, some musky notes, and cinnamon. Also, gods damn if I didn’t like that cream on the backend. It’s a fantastic blend. While a lot of those notes can be found elsewhere, that’s what makes cigars so interesting. Each one has a distinct profile and works the same experiences in different ways — like two strippers working the same pole, you never know what you’re going to get.

You might have another chocolatey beast like Boneshaker Full Body Cast, pretty much any Padron, or the Oliva Serie V, but again, it won’t be quite the same. And if you’re loudly screaming right now about not tasting any chocolate flavors in the cigars I just called out, you need to go clean your fucking palate with coconut or saltines.

Black Label Trading Company Super Deluxe 2025: Closing statements

The Super Deluxe 2025 is medium to full-bodied, closer to full, with a decent kick of pepper and baking spices. If you don’t like spicy meatballs, you might want to skip this one. The retrohale is incredible and the blend of flavors really tests your ability to pick out distinct notes. The trick is to pinpoint each one — I always like to write down what I’m tasting on a notepad while smoking and then cross-reference them later. Sometimes, you’ll get a flavor you can’t quite name, and then it will click later.

Do I recommend this one? Yes, I do. For whom? Anyone who likes peppery smokes, although if you like to burn your face off early in the morning, like my brother-in-law, you might find this one on the mild side. I enjoyed it, though.

Briley specifics

• Recommended: Yes
• Would I smoke it again? Yes.
• Will I buy more? Yes, I already have.
• My preferred size: Toro (6 by 50)

Super Deluxe specs

• Profile: Medium to Full-bodied
• Approximate smoking time: 1 to 1.5 hours
• Box count: 20
• MSRP: $260 or ~$13 per stick (Toro size)

If you like this, you might also like: Boneshaker Full Body Cast, Oliva Serie V or Melanio series, Aganorsa Rare Leaf Maduro, Black Label Trading Company Lawless, Black Label Trading Company Salvation, Black Works Studio The Hornet, My Father La Promesa, My Father The Judge, Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur Dark Knight, Herrera Esteli Norteno, Partagas Black Label, any Padron.

You’ll notice that my format is meant to be short and sweet, like this La Aurora Fuerte Sol 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.

The post Black Label Trading Company Super Deluxe 2025 review appeared first on The BS Lounge.

That quick little intro aside, Cigar Page is currently offering some live deals on Nicaraguan boutique and name-brand smokes. While I wouldn’t personally shop everything available, there are some great finds in there and I wanted to call a few out. If you’re a cigar vet and don’t want my opinion head on over. I’m sure you’ll agree there are a lot of good options in there. Otherwise, head past the break for some call outs.

Which of the Cigar Page deals on Nicaraguan smokes are worth checking out?

Bear in mind, I highly recommend reading some of my other coverage here at The BS Lounge to get an idea for my palate. Every cigar smoker has different tastes, you included. You may not always agree with me and that’s fine. But it’s best to know what I like and don’t like before you take my advice.

Decent

• Crux 10 packs (any)
• Florida Man 10 packs (any)
• La Palina Number 2 10 packs
• Oliva Black Swan 10 packs
• Penn Standard 10 packs (any)
  • Broadleaf
  • Gold Standard

Excellent

Source: Warped Cigars

• AJ Fernandez Viva La Vida 10 packs (any)
• El Pulpo 10 packs (any)
• Illusione 10 packs (any)
• OZ Family Cigars OG Nicaragua 10 packs
• Warped KJG Seleccion Domain 4546 10 packs
• Warped La Hacienda 10 packs

Pure Insanity

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

• Black Label Trading Company 10 packs (any)
  • Last Rites
  • Royalty
  • Salvation
• Black Works Studio (10 packs)
  • Green Hornet
  • Killer Bee
• Crowned Heads 10 packs (any)
  • Juarez
  • Mil Dias
• Espinosa Mucielago 10 packs
• Warped Isla del Cocodrilo 10 packs

There may be more hidden gems in there that I didn’t spot or haven’t tried myself. As of the time of writing, you have about a day or so to shop these deals, so don’t waste time if you see something you like. Also, in case it matters to you, these aren’t affiliate links.

The post Cigar Page Deal: Top Nicaraguan smokes appeared first on The BS Lounge.

Maybe you came across them during your cigar journey. Or, maybe this is your first time hearing about them. At any rate, I wanted to share a few I know about, and underrated or not, you’re really doing yourself a disservice if you don’t check them out. If you haven’t tried some these brands, give them a shot when you get the opportunity.

Adrian Magnus

Billed as ultra-luxury, you better not enjoy these cigars in shorts and a tee. If you do, they’ll send a muscled guy after you. Okay, I’m just being a wiseass, but you get the idea. Skilled artisans hand-roll these cigars with precision and care. Better yet, they age most of the tobacco for five, twelve, or fifteen years.

From the 1808 and the Supremos, to the Ultra-Premium Black Black or XO Cognac, you’re getting a smooth, incredible experience regardless of which label you choose. Honing in on the Supremos, it contains seven-year-aged tobacco with Dominican origins in a medium to full strength profile. Nothing can prepare you for lighting one up the first time. But when you do, oh man, you’re in for a real treat.

ADVentura Cigars

Talk about a real uncharted or swashbuckling feel. ADVentura embodies all of that and more. Born out of a collaboration between “tobacconist, marketer, sommelier, Marcel Knobel” and a young master blender from the Dominican Republic, Henderson Ventura, these premium cigars are every bit as unique as their namesake.

Take a journey through the lineup, starting with The Explorer, and then move on to conquer Blue Eyed Jack’s Revenge, La Llorona, and Piece of Heart. Wherever your feet land, on whatever soil, you’ll be well prepared for the locals with one of these bad boys, and incredibly good times. I always try to work an ADVentura stogie into my weekly rounds.

Aria Exclusives

Smooth, rich, and traditionally Dominican, the Aria Exclusives lineup includes handcrafted cigars from la ciudad corazon. With humble beginnings, this brand is an up-and-comer. Most of its lineup is simply named. Aria labels take inspiration from the tobacco they’re crafted with. Don’t let that shy you away.

The Connecticut, San Andrés, Habano, Corojo Habano Maduro, Eternal Knot Rose and Eternal Knot Gold are all designed to be smooth, relaxing smokes ranging from mild to full-bodied. I know that’s quite the range, but it also means they have a little something for everyone. I recommend the Eternal Knot Gold. It’s a medium to full-bodied smoke with flavors like earth, spices, roasted nuts, cedar, leather, and a lingering sweetness.

Black Label Trading Company

Source: Black Label Trading Company

If you haven’t seen me in person yet, and let’s be honest, most of you haven’t, I have a few skull tattoos. The macabre, especially skulls, has always fascinated me, and it makes sense since I’m a writer. So, it also makes sense that I’d be somewhat drawn to Black Label Trading Company, an Oveja Negra Brand that has marketing absolutely littered in skulls and the macabre. They’ve been around since 2015, and the brand’s tobacco is hand-crafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua. If and when you light one of their cigars up, you’ll see why that matters.

Between its core lines and the intermittent, limited release, Black Label Trading Company offers some stunning blends. The Royalty, Lawless, Morphine, Salvation, Last Rites, Orthodox, they’re all delicious. But let’s pick out the Last Rites to examine more closely. It features an Ecuadorian Maduro wrapper, Honduran binder and Honduran and Nicaragua mixed fillers. And it’s brimming with dark, toasty flavors, exactly what you’d expect from a macabre-inspired blend. Cedar and wood, rich chocolate, coffee, spices, and an abundance of cream await.

Black Star Line

A Chicago Firefighter by trade, a cigar aficionado by night, Adetola “Aric” Wimberly-Bey, Black Star Line’s founder, was mentored by none other than Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate. Made at some of the most legendary factories like El Titan de Bronze, Fabrica de Oveja Negra, and La Zona Factory, every release in Black Star Line’s lineup is unique and backed by years of passion and unparalleled craftsmanship.

The War Witch is made in Nicaragua by Aganorsa Leaf. Rosewood 1923 is made by Fabrica de Oveja Negra. Marun is made by La Zona. The list goes on, and, at the risk of repeating myself, every blend in the Black Star Line inventory is worth checking out. I love me some Aganorsa stuff, as you probably know, so that’s where I spend most of my smoking time. Yes, sir.

Casa 1910

Capturing the proud spirit of Mexican born tobacco, and the Mexican Revolution, the brand’s cigars and tobacco hail from the San Andrés valley in Veracruz, Mexico. Established in 2021, it didn’t take long for the brand to make a name for itself in the industry, and every release continues to leave an indelible mark. Manolo Santiago, one of the brand’s founders, was a former marketing manager for Habanos S.A. in Mexico. Point being, these guys know their shit.

From the Revolutionary Edition to the Cavalry Edition and Soldadera Edition, with individual blends in each of those labels, plus some limited releases, there’s a lot to love here. Revolutionary includes the Tierra Blanca, and the Cuchillo Parado, for instance. Words do not do this brand justice. Go take a look when you can.

Drunk Chicken Cigars

Established in 2019, Drunk Chicken cigars are handmade in the U.S.A.. The brand’s stogies mirror flavor profiles you’ll find elsewhere in the premium cigars industry. If you’re interested in how the industry works, you can read insights from the brand’s founder directly on her blog.

If you just want to smoke some delicious cigars, you can’t go wrong with the Mother Clucker, Fat Hen, Homicidal Hen, or Living the Dream. Seriously, give them a try. The brand is proof that not all the top cigars come from outside of the country.

La Galera

Dominican through and through, La Galera, or Las Galeras, offers a staple of high-end, premium smokes that don’t really buck the norm, but who cares, because they are phenomenal. The brand’s founder, Jose Arnaldo Blanco, or “Jochy,” as he’s known, certainly has the experience and chops to craft a beautiful, experiential cigar.

The core lines include Connecticut, Cojoro, Maduro, and 1936 Box Pressed varieties. Followed by the finer selection of Anemoi, Imperial Jade, and limited releases, like the 85th Anniversary. What do they all have in common? They’re one-of-a-kind experiences rolled into a tightly packed bundle of tobaccos.

Lovely Cigars

When I think about underrated cigar brands, this one tops the list. Hailing from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Lovely Cigars has revitalized a historic brand once called Ain’t They Lovely. Green Bay was a major Midwest producer of cigars, believe it or not, which were shipped via the Fox River and the Great Lakes. Back in the 60s during the Cuban embargo, quality tobacco became real hard to find, and the brand wound down.

Of course, what’s more interesting is the brand’s current lineup of cigars, all handcrafted in Nicaragua at the Tacasa S.A. factory in Esteli. Notable smokes include Ain’t They Lovely, the No. 162 and the new Bay City Cigar line — with Connecticut and Maduro versions. I have had them all and they’re delicious.

Platinum Nova

Source: Platinum Nova Cigars

Labeling themselves a “family-owned boutique cigar company,” Platinum Nova delivers ultra-premium, limited edition cigars that not only come exceptionally crafted, but deliver a one-of-a-kind experience. Because that last part sounds like a cop-out, and something any marketing team would cook up, I implore you to give these a try. You’ll immediately understand why that’s being said here.

The Platinum Nova Park Avenue, for instance, features Dominican filler tobaccos, a Nicaraguan binder from Esteli, and an Ecuadorian 2000 wrapper. It’s a silky, smooth blend that’s full of chocolate, coffee, and pepper notes. Or, how about the Platinum Nova Toro? It features Dominican fillers, a Dominican Piloto binder and a Mexican San Andrés wrapper. Dried fruit, leather, cinnamon, chocolate, nuttiness and lots of sweet notes await anyone who lights the Nova Toro up. They can be pricy, but I’d argue the experience is worth it.

Stolen Throne

Established in 2018, Stolen Throne offers both staple collections and limited releases, most Nicaraguan at their core. But they also feature some unique flavor notes that pair exceptionally well with hard beverages. Don’t worry, if you don’t like bourbon or scotch, they work fine with some Pepsi, too.

Take the Crook of the Crown, the brand’s original blend. It features an oily San Andrés Maduro wrapper, Indonesian binder and Nicaraguan fillers. You’ll pick up flavors like cherry, nuts, mulled wine, red spices and beyond. Trust me, you want to check these guys out.

The cigar industry is constantly evolving: More underrated cigar brands are always on the horizon

In just the last decade, the cigar industry has exploded to include a wide variety of “boutique” brands — yes, using that word made me shiver. That continues to evolve, with more and more underrated cigar brands popping up all over the place. Not just in the age-old markets we’ve come to expect, like Nicaragua and Cuba, but elsewhere.

What you should take away from all of this is that there’s a lot to explore and there will be a lot to explore going forward. Maybe the next time you come across a brand you’ve never heard of, give it a try? I always try local cigars, but I also live in Florida where there are a lot of small, local brands, too.

The post Underrated cigar brands to watch: Give these a try appeared first on The BS Lounge.