Regius Exclusivo U.S.A. Blue Label Toro
Posted on February 15 2021
Vitola: 6x52 BP
Smoking Time: 76 Minutes
Cigars Smoked: 3
Body: Full
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
MSRP: $10.95
Regius Cigars was started in 2010 by a handful of connoisseurs out of London. Collaborating with some of the best Cuban makers, out of Nicaragua, these cigars have exceptional quality, and passion towards their cigars. Landing themselves a spot in Cigar Aficionados top 25 cigars for sale in the United States, this is a manufacturer to be on the lookout for.
Visual Inspection: This is a new brand for me, so I am quite excited! The wrapper is a very smooth Mexican San Andres Oscuro leaf, which is smooth, has minimal veins, no tooth, and prevalent seams. The aroma is sweet like brown sugar, but leans toward barnyard. The cold draw falls a bit flat, I only pick up barnyard, with no undertones.
First Third: After the cold draw I was a bit worried! But the Blue Label has a plethora of flavors, so far, it's a relatively mild Oscuro wrapper, which I predict will change. Notes of bitter dark chocolate, brown sugar, and something I always pick up from an Oscuro wrapper, salt.
The burn line is relatively clean, wavering slightly, but more clean than not, with a light grey ash, with specs of black. A retrohale brings flavors of charred wood, and roasted nuts. I'm picking up a flavor I can't quite describe yet, it's reminiscent of some animal derivative. I don’t think leather is a flavor, I'm not sure i've ever seen someone eat it, but it's close to what I'm picking up.
Second Third: While my burn line has gotten wonky, a quick touch up does the trick. Ash is loose however it's not flaky, so i'll take it. While the salt flavor I pick up has gotten stronger, charred oak, dark chocolate, macadamia nut, and a touch of brown sugar and pepper on the finish.
I am pleased with the draw on this cigar, as I often am when enjoying a box pressed stick, they make for such a smooth experience.
Last Third: The Blue Label is not necessarily a “pepper bomb” but it's getting more bold. Pepper is showing up in the fore-front, and carving a path for dark nuts, familiar dark chocolate, char, and faint hints of strawberry sweetness.
The smoke production is ample, with a blue tint at the foot, and light grey at the head. As this cigar comes to an end it has gotten more mild, pepper has faded, but not completely. Mainly hints of that animal derivative, cacao, unripe strawberry, dark nuts, and barnyard are prevalent. But a retrohale brings the pepper back.
Final Thoughts: I tend to always get a salty flavor from Oscuro cigars, so much so that I stopped mentioning it. Frankly, they aren't for me. I'm not sure if it's my palate, or how I receive Oscuro, even when smoking a Fuente Fuente OpusX Oro Oscuro I get these same flavors. That being said if you are a fan of an Oscuro varietal, I think this is a cigar for you. While this is undoubtedly a mild Oscuro, the flavors are vast and complex. From a new company, but one that has received accolades from Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Journal, to name a few, expect to hear more about Regius and definitely pick some up and try for yourself!
-Sam