Cigar Mission #27

My name is Agent 8. My mission was to review the Room101 by Camacho. As an asset of The Cigar Spy agency, I promise to respect the A.S.H.E.S. code of honor. The information below is my debrief.

Target Name:

Room101 by Camacho

Target Vitals:

Wrapper: Semilla 101 (Honduran)
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Mix of Honduran and Dominican Tobacco
Vitola: 404 (Torpedo 6×54)
Strength: Medium Bodied
Average Price: $8.69 per stick at 2GuysSmokeShop; $191.99 per box of 25

Background Info:

A development from Matt Booth, Dylan Austin and the Camacho family, the Room 101 brand was initially about the creation of cigar accessories, but soon developed into the creation of a cigar. The design and marketing of the cigar has been strategically planned to appeal to everyone, while at the same time, broadening the brand, interest and knowledge to the smoker.

Mission Debrief:

Certain cigars in 2009 have created a noticeable buzz around the internet and social media circles. Cigars such as the Cain and the Nub from the Olivia family and the La Traviata from CAO are recent examples that come to mind. Another recent addition to this group is the Room101 by Camacho. Everyone I follow on Twitter that has smoked this cigar has been blown away by it. I figured it was high time for me to find out what all the excitement was about.

Giving the cigar a detailed visual examination, I found zero flaws in the wrapper, band or the cigar itself. The veiny wrapper, a Semilla 101 hailing from Honduras, was specifically grown for this cigar. The double band, hued a black and silver, really helped complete the overall look of the cigar, giving it an eye-catching visual appeal. The dragon mask on the side of the band especially caught my eye. Doing more research into the development of the cigar, using specific pieces from Japanese theatre and Buddhism practices was all part of developing the mystique and interest of the Room101 brand.

Toasting the end of the cigar and taking my first couple of resistance-free draws, I was met with an immediate hint of dull, peppery flavors. Subtle, very light on the palette but noticeable. And throughout the first half of the cigar, it stayed exactly like this. Starting into the second half of the cigar is where more pepper and a touch of earthiness became more apparent. Also a modest increase to the intensity of the flavor of the tobacco. Think of turning a volume from four to six; it’s not a lot but you can hear the change. During the last third, that same intensity increased even more, giving the cigar a strong, almost full-bodied close to its smoking time. It’s because of this strong ending that the overall finish to the cigar is longer than on similarly-bodied smokes.

The ash on this cigar was a bit flaky, so bear that in mind as you progress onward. The only complaint I had on the cigar was that the burn was somewhat uneven and needed some retouching. I did find that the second Room101 that I smoked, while still slightly uneven in burn, was much better overall.

Recommendations:

This cigar is going to be one of my favorites for 2009 without a doubt. A great combination of flavors and strength, coupled with a unique and hip marketing drive makes this cigar a formidable opponent in the market today. The price point is exactly what I would expect for this cigar and in my opinion, it’s a fair price for what you are getting. Buy these with confidence, knowing comfortably that you will be smoking what is in my opinion, an excellent cigar.

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