MBombay - CLASSIC

What's that? You haven't heard of MBombay yet?!?! Ohhhh buddy...you'd better buckle up...your journey is about to begin! This boutique brand has been shaking up the Cigar community with it's detailed attention to blend profile, quality construction, and presentation. I describe MBombay as "The Boutique Brand with Style." But I really like how the @RobustoBabe from twitter has nicknamed them "#YuMbombay™" which I think is extremely accurate.

I want to take a moment and send HUGE shout out to MBombay Owner Mel Shah, who provided the Cigar for today's review.

Todays Review is all about:

The MBombay Classic in the Robusto Vitola.

According to the MBomay Website http://www.bombaytobak.com/ This is "A long-aged blend of tobaccos from 5 Nations, the Classic blend is a light-bodied perspective of a medium that encompasses Smooth flavors. This profile offers subtle notes of nutmeg spice, graham cracker sweetness, and a creamy essence unique to this Line".

Today's Pairing Choice: Jack Daniel's Sinatra Select from 2012

Let's get into the finer details of this cigar... The size is a 4.5 X 50 The MBombay Classic uses a five country multi-national blend. The blend is highlighted by its Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper from 2001. Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut 2001 Binder: Dominican Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Peruvian Source: MBombay Tobak

As is fairly known at this point to those in the industry, Peruvian tobacco is a common denominator across each of MBombay’s blends. Mel Shah has often stated that the Peruvian tobacco is the “X” factor across his brand. Personally, I believe this gives his blends a uniqueness that is fairly distinct and recognizable, and offers a bit of brand identification.

Prelight Ritual: Time to break out the voodoo dolls and sacrificial candles and get this pre-light ritual going... The Classic has a silky, light caramel-brown color to it. The surface of the wrapper has a noticeable oily-sheen to it, there are some thin visible veins and the wrapper seams are well hidden. The foot of the cigar offers a glimpse into how well constructed the cigar is. The feel was very firm, but not hard, and there were absolutely no knots or soft spots.

I cannot begin to tell you how much I love the beautiful artistry that the MBombay Brand has. So decorative. If you aren't familiar this is a distinctive 'Tapestry Art', it's an expressive quality that sets this brand apart simply at a glance. Each band contains 3 animals which represent the quintessential Indian Culture.

The Elephant, which represents Wisdom and patience. The Peacock which is their National Bird represents Beauty and elegance. Lastly, the Mighty Tiger who is literally the "King of the Jungle" is the National animal of India and is depicting Strength, and courage.

Cold Draw:

After reaching for my trusty V-Cutter and snipping the end, I had to take pause and right away there were sweet-sandalwood flavors that were coupled with notes of spice and a hint of brown sugar, akin to a graham cracker. The draw was perfect, and allowed air to move through the cigar effortlessly, but did have enough resistance to know that you were drawing through it. As with other MBombay sticks I was drawn into the cigar, invited warmly to light it.

First Draw: The initial light up provided my senses with a mild-to-medium treat where the luscious creamy-spice whet my palate. I savored the sandalwood and black pepper complexity and knew that even though Light-to-medium cigars have not traditionally been in my wheelhouse that this was somehow going to be a good bit different. On retrohale I could feel a pronounced Spice and pepper edging me ever forward to a sense of relaxation, and enlightenment.

First Third: Sandalwood and creamy baking spice notes were now completely comprising the primary flavors. The was also a slight natural tobacco note that emerged to balance the profile. The burn was absolutely razor's edge and light-gray ash was holding steady while it had fine flake to it. The draw remained open, and perfect, not too open, and not choked off. I want to point out that the complexity and flavor profile remained steady and did not change to this point. It almost spoke to me, holding me in a euphoric place....

Half way there: The creamy notes began to pull back just in time for the wood and spice notes to edge forward to the forefront. Here is where the natural tobacco sweetness, and the graham cracker and salted caramel began to taunt me from the shadows. Retrohale continued to offer black pepper and spice like an old friend, I knew at that moment that this was no ordinary Medium bodied stick. As you may be aware I typically go for more full bodied cigars, but this blend gave me something else to consider...funny how each blend, and brand have something to teach you along the way.

I began to appreciate how the blend doesn't always follow the strength, or expectations can change when you are introduced to something that makes a statement on your palette. The burn remained constant here, razors edge. The ash held on, almost defiant like a stubborn child.

Onward toward the nub: The flavors didn't change that much from the halfway point. What I did notice was the strength picked up tempo and gave me the sense that our journey to enlightenment was nearing its horizon. As with any cigar you enjoy, it too must come to an end. That is my least favorite, and my most favorite part of the cigar. Usually you get either a change in the complexity, or things become more intense. I LOVE that part....but, I hate it when you have to put out the cigar...as in this case, I smoked it right down to the nub.

Conclusion and Recommendation: I would consider this is an ideal cigar for a new-to-intermediate smoker who is looking for that next good smoke. The flavors offered here are a good blend of complexity and sweet nuisance, but not overwhelming, or over-powered. With it's distinct flavors, it would afford the newer palette to experience something more complex than the average cigar they are likely to have been smoking.

This is where I tell you that you really can't go wrong on this cigar, especially if you let it season in your humidor for a few weeks. If you let this cigar mature for a while the blend will meld into a perfect blend. The profile is extremely well-balanced, and the flavors are quite enjoyable. Construction is fantastic, and again, the product design is some of the most attractive I’ve seen.

Cigar Sticks Alliance Score: 4 out of 5 Beards - BOX-WORTHY

Again, another SOLID Stick! Something I would definitely recommend to others as well as smoke again myself. If you are a newer smoker, or if Mild-to-Medium cigars are in your wheelhouse, I would consider this Box-Worthy! Mel Shah, and MBombay have another winner on their hands here.

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