Seeing the name of the subject of this review, I was instantly reminded of the summer of 1988, Metallica playing on my tape deck, a copy of Batman: The Cult in a plastic bag and backer board sitting on my desk.  It was a terrific four part mini-series of comics written by Jim Starlin, drawn by the master of macabre, Bernie Wrightson, and colored by Bill Wray (who would become well known as the guy that did the close-up gross out shots on Ren & Stimpy).  If you don't have a copy, you should read it if you are a fan of the Batman.  Anyway, I digress.  The Cult cigar....yeah...that's what were were talking about....I read about them in a catalog and the presentation and marketing pulled me in.  Finally found one at one of my local shops and just had to try it out.  How was it?  Let's see....

Construction: Very nice attractive cigar.  Smooth wrapper leaf with a few veins, heavy in the hand, very nice cap.

Pre-light Aroma and Draw: Out of the cellophane the Cult gives off a nice sweet tobacco and leathery earthy aroma.  Very nice.  The draw is excellent as well.  Overall a well constructed cigar.

Light and Burn: She lights up with a couple of matches and develops and nice crisp burn line.  The ash is a nice solid gray-white and is very clingy.  As it burns the smoke it provides is copious, aromatic, and woody.  The burn started to go a little crooked after the first ash drop but it corrects itself pretty well.

Tasting: The Cult starts off with a nice woody, earthy, leathery flavor profile that is touched with a soft tobacco undertone.  The binder really gives this cigar a terrific flavor.  If you have ever smoked a Graycliff red or blue label you might recognize the flavor I am talking about in the Cult.  It's a slightly spicy, woody flavor that is just terrific.  As I leave the first third behind, I am impressed.  Into the second third I picked up a sweet spice like burnt sugar and oak.  Also picked up a really tasty roasted peanut flavor.  Into the final third and the spice and strength pick up slightly.  Still on the medium bodied side of the wall but enough to make me take notice.  That peanut flavor still shows up with a nice punch as well.  This is definitely a smoke-to-the-nub cigar.

Value: This is another one I overpaid for.  The going rate is around $7 and I coughed up three over that.  Was it worth it?  Yes....but I would prefer to pay the regular price instead of the inflated one!

Final Thoughts: Well, I guess I am moving to Waco or that Heaven's Gate mansion now because I am joining the Cult.  For a relatively unknown cigar I had only seen in a Cigars International catalog, I am impressed with the quality and craftsmanship they exhibit.  This was one fine smoke and I can highly recommend this cigar.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Jalapa, Nicaraguan

Strength: Medium

Size: 6.25 x 52

The Cult - a very nice looking cigar

The band is very well crafted as well.  Intricate and fun....