Principle Aviator Series Vainqueur
Posted on March 31 2021
Vitola: 6.5x56 | Smoking Time: 84 min | Cigars Smoked: 3 | Body: Medium | MSRP: $14
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo | Binder: Dominican | Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican, U.S.A.
Principle was founded by Darren Cioffi, a Long Island native who went from antique collector to slow-smoking world record holder (8 records, first American to win). The Aviator Series references aviation history — the Vainqueur ("victor" in French) honors WWI aerial combat heroes.
Visual Inspection: Light brown wrapper with soft prominent veins and lots of oil gleaming in the light. Cloth foot band adds class. No soft spots at 62% RH. Foot: barnyard, green wood, mushroom. Cold draw: tight pull with green wood, walnut, and damp earth.
First Third: Mushroom flavors up front, met with nuts, damp earth, grapefruit, and a plain Greek yogurt note. Very different from what one would expect from an Ecuadorian wrapper. Despite a foot split immediately after lighting, the burn recovered beautifully.
Second Third: Little sweetness — grapefruit is replaced by bitter lettuce, lanolin, and earth, all while mushroom remains the main flavor. Retrohale brings mushroom forward with only a small amount of pepper. Slate grey ash.
Final Third: Not complex, but consistent all the way through. Faint wildflower or geranium sweetness returns alongside nuts, earth, and the familiar animal derivative notes. Burn line wavered but remained tidy.
Final Thoughts: Moist earth and mushroom notes are prevalent throughout — not for my palate, but quality is very good. Despite a cracked foot after lighting, it fixed itself with no problems. If you enjoy mushroom/earth flavors, this is smooth, consistent, and an easy medium profile. The Aviator Series is very unique.
-Sam
Frequently asked questions
What is Principle Cigars?
Principle was founded by Darren Cioffi, a Long Island enthusiast who built the brand around storytelling and craftsmanship. The Aviator Series references aviation history — the Vainqueur ("victor" in French) is a nod to WWI aerial combat heroes.
What does the Principle Vainqueur taste like?
The Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper delivers moist earth and mushroom notes — flavors the reviewer is personally not drawn to, but acknowledges will appeal to fans of earthy, terroir-driven cigars. Quality and construction are excellent throughout.
Is 84 minutes a typical burn time for a 6.5x56 cigar?
Yes — a 56 ring gauge at 6.5 inches generally burns 80-100 minutes with a proper draw. The Vainqueur’s 84-minute performance is right on target, and the reviewer notes no construction issues despite the large ring gauge.