Freyja Valhalla - Written Cigar Review

~ SKÅL! Velkommen mine klans! Jeg kommer til dere inspirert av gudene selv! Fra land av hard og edel Viking. Vi bli med dem i deres søken etter erobringen og ære! VALHALLA VENTER!

[CHEERS! Welcome my clansmen! I come to you inspired by the gods themselves! From lands of the fierce and noble Viking. We join them in their pursuit of conquest and glory! VALHALLA AWAITS!]

Today’s Cigar Review conjures emotions and stirs my blood in an ancient, raw way! These sentiments are derived in part to my Heritage although not pure has some of its roots in Norway. In a Twitter post, I joked - smoking this Cigar "Had my blood looking to conquer something!" ....and so we shall! I waited almost 2 months before being able to pick these up...so...

MAKE Sail, May the gods grant us Victory and Strength!!! ...er...well..I mean...let's get this review going...Our Saga awaits. Shall we?

Creator Emma Viktorsson, who is a Native Swede had this to say about her Blend:

"After over ten years working in the Premium Cigar industry Internationally, and after as much factory- and tobacco-training as possible during all these years, I finally felt ready to work on my very first own blend!Freyja is the fruit of my first blend, for which I had the privilege to fantastic aged tobaccos and to some of my absolute favorite origins with flavors, sweet, rich notes, and a profile that represents me very well as a smoker and as who I humbly am in this industry."

Taking from her heritage, she called this Blend and brand "Freyja", which in Old Norse is called "The Lady" and who is the goddess associated with love, sex, beauty, fertility, gold, seiðr, war, and death. Powerful connotation!

The Finer Details:

Size: Valhalla Robusto 5 1/2 X 50

Wrapper: Dominican Criollo ’98 Binder: Mexican San Andrés Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano, Dominican Criollo ’98, Nicaragua Estelí

Website: http://lascumbrestabaco.com/freyja-cigars/

Pairing Choice: Fresh Ground Dark Roast Coffee

Prelight Ritual: Taking the tour of this cigar, The wrapper was dark golden-brown about like the color of a Graham Cracker. Visibly Smooth, with fine-small veins, a noticeable oily sheen, and almost invisible seams. It was well-constructed and a firm (not hard) feel. To the nose it was Rich and sweet with hints of earth, cedar and highlighted with a faint pepper. Very pleasant and inviting. The band was Art Nouveau style (As seen above) with the goddess Freyja on center stage and Viking Longboats straddled aside the centerpiece.

Cold Draw: After I cut the cigar, I began the cold draw and right away there were Citrus and Earthy-Spice which gave a sweet essesnce, but there were hints of pepper which called out to me from the Fjords of Flavor.

First Draw: After sparking this baby up, I found ample amounts of smoke that filled me like a Nordic fog, thick, white plumes with a strong Pepper and sweet Citrus. The Retro placed an exclamation point on this and brought the profile straight into the limelight. I could envision myself standing at the cliffs of a Fjord watching the Warships set sail for the riches of Britain. Eagerly I pressed onward...

First Third: Salty Earth and pepper hit me like Mjolnir, the famed Hammer of Thor and it was this that was the Hero of this Saga. All throughout this first portion, hints of caramel, cedar and citrus were present. I couldn't help but notice a touch of nuttiness to the taste as well, not unlike a salted cashew. The Burn was mostly even and caught up quickly to come to a straight edge, breaking into a fine white ash cake. The Ash held on for a good while, but relented about 2 and a half inches into the cigar.

"Som isbreer skinne i strålende sol, må våre eventyr gå videre."

As the Glaciers shine in the radient sun, our adventure must go onward.

Half way there: Earth and Pepper were Still the Heroes of our Medium-Bodied Adventure, but Sweet Citrus and Spice were giving chase, and gaining on our Noble heroes. Calling out from the thick smoky fog, was the Caramel and Salted Nut nuance as if to say they were sharpening the sword hungry to join the battle! The burn became a little more uneven at this stage, but the white ash still held its ground. On Retro hale, the Pepper really shone through, as a War cry after the horn sounds. Smoke production was consistently ample, and the aroma wafting around me also lingered, and was enjoyed by the audience I had (My two dogs).

Last Third & Onward toward the Nub: I found that the flavors didn't change that much from the half way point. What I did notice was the strength picked up tempo, somehow keeping pace with an ancient Nordic Army, engulfed in battle. It gave me the sense that our Saga was making its Crescendo, mirroring the Sea crashing upon the Rocks of Lofoten. Retro hale was a smoky tribute to the battle coming to a close, strong and pungent, wreaking of Pepper and Earth. Through this journey I've been transported to another time, a time of great personal accomplishment for the Norse folk. But like any good Saga, the time is nigh for us to return to our home port, our longboats heavy with the spoils of conquest.

Conclusion and Recommendation: This cigar drew me in and did not relent. I felt a strong personal connection with this experience, which I'm sure added to the enjoyment. In the end, it was said that the Great Norse Sagas told of the Conquests, Adventures, Love, Profit and Loss of a once proud and noble society. I believe that this Cigar has captivated that essence. It too enthralled my senses, and spoke of a wild journey to me.

The flavors of this blend complimented each other like a good long-boatman working with his countrymen on a long voyage toward Victory and Lavish Wealth. Somewhere during the experience I became lost in the story, bound for lands unknown. This Medium-Bodied Cigar has plenty to offer all who encounter it. I strongly recommend finding these gems at your local Brick & Mortar store, or online.

CigarSticks Score: Hands Down this is a Solid 4 out of 5 Beards. I WILL be looking to buy these and will likely be looking for them by the Box-Load to add to my current rotation.