Walking into The Wharf today for telework, I joked with the manager, Jordan about giving me something good to try since the previous cigar he handed me was mediocre....which made us laugh because he handed me that cigar with a " I know this one will suck" look on his face.  Not wanting to repeat that scene, he walked away and came back with a Leccia Black.  One I had read about but had yet to try.  Sam Leccia is the mind behind the Cain and Nub brands that are so popular everywhere and this Black variety of his new Black &White series has some very interesting pedigrees to its name.  Most tobacco is aged in barns using a natural air curing process.  Some tobaccos in history were cured using a fire roasted process wherein hardwood is set to fire and the smoke is used to cure the leaves.  Not very many cigars today use this process and to date this Leccia Black is, I believe, the only production cigar available using fire roasted tobacco.  Needless to say, I was excited to try it.  How is it?  Let's see....

Construction: The Leccia Black is a pretty cigar.  The wrapper is a smooth uniform brown with tiny veins and a well done cap.

Pre-light Aroma and Draw: Out of the cellophane I am treated to a rather unique set of smells.  My initial reaction is beer.  It smells like lager.  After some time in the air that aroma dissipated and I found leather, hay, and some barnyard aromas.  Very unusual overall.  The cut is easy and the cold draw is nice.

Light and Burn: Lighting is a snap with a couple of matches.  Ash is light gray with some minor flakiness....but the cling is amazing.  Nearly two inches before it dropped....in the ashtray this time...and of it's own accord.  No flicking needed.

Tasting: Starting off the Black hits nicely with some peppery spice.  The first third starts with black pepper, cinnamon, and hickory.  After a few puffs the cinnamon takes a hike and the leather and smoked flavors increase.  I get loads of mesquite, hickory, and roasted tobacco flavors with a twinge of that tangy lager beer flavor underneath.  I tried the Leccia White recently but didn't really analyze it.  I will, of course, try another for review....but this Black labeled version is terrific from the get-go.  The flavors are unique and delivered in a very creamy smooth package.   The burn in the first third is perfect as well.

The second third fires off with a lesser amount of the smoked flavors and adds some sweeter oak and leather.  The aroma from the smoke is still very much barbecue hickory and mesquite aromatic.  There is a bit of white pepper mixed in as well but the main thing I notice is how incredibly smooth and creamy the flavors are being presented.  It's a very well balanced cigar.

The final third increases in strength a bit and the smoked tobacco flavors make a return as well.  The flavors are astounding and still creamy smooth.  I still taste that beer-like flavor as well and I can say that it really adds some zest to the mix that helps round out a terrific woody profile.  There is a slight black coffee flavor in here as well.     I will be sad to see this one end.  And I am really sad that this is the only sample I was given.  I would smoke a stack of them if I had them.

Value: Online the Leccia Black 552 will run you $8 or more.  Not a cheap cigar...but for something so unique and well made, I can easily get behind the price.  I did see these at a local shop that always overprices cigars and their tag was $12 for the toro size.  Needless to say, as we get these in at The Wharf, the price will be much less painful.

Final Thoughts: My cigar buddies and I were discussing flavor profiles we prefer.  Mainly peppery versus leathery.  Most of the cigars I smoke are peppery in tone....but lately I have been puffing on things with a more leathery profile.  I am going to add smoked to my list of favorites now.  Nothing will tear me from Tatuaje, but this exquisite Leccia Black is an easy frontrunner for my best new cigar of the year award.  Without a doubt, I highly recommend this cigar.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Rosado
Filler: Nicaraguan ligero, Dominican ligero, Brazilian Monte Fina Seco, fire roasted Kentucky Dark Fire

Strength: Medium to full

Size: 5 x 52

It's a beautiful cigar

Love the nice simple band with gothic " L"

Gorgeous silky brown wrapper

Solid performer!