United Cigars Series Unidas Hammer + Sickle Corona
Posted on May 28 2021
Vitola: 6.75x46 | Smoking Time: 74 min | Cigars Smoked: 3 | Body: Medium | MSRP: $9
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut | Binder/Filler: Dominican
Created in part with Eric Hanson, the late founder of Hammer + Sickle, this cigar was created in 2018 and delayed around a year after his passing. Released in 2019, limited to just 300 boxes of 20. The boxes we received carry approximately 3 years of age. Series Unidas was started with this cigar and will continue with new brands each release.
Visual Inspection: Classic Ecuadorian Connecticut with prominent veins and a honeycomb pattern of smaller veins across the leaf — visually appealing. Seams barely noticeable. Creamy coffee color. Aromas: barnyard, tea, leather, mixed nuts. Cold draw: vanilla, walnut, and tea.
First Third: "Roastaroma" tea flavors on lighting, met with walnuts and almonds. Undertones of vanilla and cinnamon. The 3 years of post-roll age has made this exceptional — no acrid or "young" flavor. Strong off-white ash with a clean burn line. Retrohale brings vanilla sweetness and amplifies the tea character.
Second Third: Body gains in flavor while staying mild-plus in strength. Slight pepper and pie crust ramp up the profile. Flavors shift sweeter — banana and cream join pie crust. Retrohale brings black pepper and cinnamon.
Final Third: Black pepper and arugula linger post-exhale adding complexity. Smoke coming off the resting cigar is spicy and pleasant. Notes of tea, walnuts, almonds, wood, hay, and cream as the cigar comes to a close. Burn line exceptional throughout for the price range.
Final Thoughts: A must-try — beautifully complex medium-bodied experience worth sharing and cherishing. This has proved me wrong about corona-esque vitolas. Pair with a creamy black coffee. I want a box (or two) to age even longer.
-Sam
Frequently asked questions
What is the story behind the Hammer + Sickle brand?
Hammer + Sickle was created by Eric Hanson, who passed away before this cigar was released. The Series Unidas is a tribute collaboration with United Cigars to honor his memory — making it a deeply meaningful smoke beyond its excellent flavor profile.
What does the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper add to this cigar?
Ecuador Connecticut uses shade-growing technique with Ecuador’s natural cloud cover, resulting in a creamy, refined wrapper with subtle cedar and spice — a fitting choice for a cigar meant to be savored and shared.
Is the Hammer + Sickle Corona worth aging?
The reviewer specifically mentions wanting to age a box. Ecuador Connecticut cigars respond well to aging — the creaminess deepens and complexity grows. If you can find a box, setting some aside for 1-2 years is highly recommended.