The Balmoral line was created by Boris Winterman. Boris is the 4th generation CEO of the parent company, Royal Agio. The cigars are manufactured in Royal Agio’s factory in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.
Specifics
The Balmoral Anejo XO Oscuro blend is available in 5 vitolas: Petite Robusto FT (4 ¼ x 48), Rothschild Masivo (5 x 55), Corona (5 7/8 x 42), Gran Toro (6 x 52) and Torpedo Mk52 (6 ¼ x 52)
The blend is comprised of a sun-grown, stalk-cut, Mexican San Andres wrapper, a Dominican Olor binder and filler tobacco of Dominican Olor, Nicaragua (Jalapa) and exclusive, stalk-cut Brazilian Mata Norte leaf.
I picked up a Petite Robusto FT for this review from a local retailer. It cost me $9. Your cost may vary.
The Experience
Appearance
There are two bands on this cigar. The main band and a foot band. Taken together, they give this cigar a very formal, elegant look. The main band has a gray base color with gold and black secondary colors. The name Oscuro is below on a black background that is on top of a copperish-gold ring.
The foot band has a black background with the words Anejo XO in large gold typeface. In a smaller gold font is the vitola size. Below that are thin white and copper/gold rings.
XO stands for Extra old.
The cigar’s appearance itself is also elegant. The Mexican wrapper is Colorado Maduro in color, has a few noticeable veins and faint seams. The triple cap ends in a short pigtail. The finished foot has an aroma similar to a sweet aged rum and earthy tobacco.
The cigar has an average weight for its size and is firm to the touch.
Pre-light
I gave the cap a straight cut and took a pre-light draw. The draw was fine and I picked up on some rich tobacco flavors.
I lit the foot of the cigar with my quad torch and began my smoking session.
1st Third
This first third of the cigar presented some mild coffee and tobacco flavors with absolutely no finish at all. The retrohale on the other hand, was strong and lingering.
2nd Third
The second third brought out some deeper, earthy tobacco, coffe notes and a medium finish. The retrohale was stronger that the first third and lasted even longer.
Final Third
Finishing up, the retrohale remained at the same strength and intensity while the flavor notes became a bit mellower with a richer tobacco flavor and savory notes on my lips.
Combustion
The Balmoral burned evenly and had a thin carbon ring. The ash was light gray, tight and very firm. It endured for my normal inch and a half before I dropped it. The cigar produced a very good amount of smoke with each puff.
[su_box title=”Summary” style=”soft” box_color=”#e1dddd”]The Balmoral line of cigars will no longer be sold in the United States so, whatever is out there in retail inventories is it. If you find any, you may want to snap them up! I enjoyed my experience with the Balmoral Anejo XO Oscuro. I felt it was strong in strength and medium in body.
Overall I rated this cigar at an 88.3[/su_box]
Have you smoked a Balmoral before? Have you been able to find any at your local retailer? Let me know in the comments below!