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MBombay: GAAJA Box Pressed Toro

Stefan
Jun 25, 2016
3 min read

credit to Halfwheel for the image above.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MBombay’s/ Bombay Tobak’s latest brand, Gaaja (Pronounced : Gaa-ya), will be released on July 1st, 2016. In Sanskrit language “Gaja” (Pronounced: guj), means elephant. They had been working on the blend of Gaaja for more than 4 years. The process involved in logistics and long fermentation of tobacco from countries like Peru and Paraguay, really tested their patience. They had to wait for 3 vintages of the Hybrid Connecticut wrapper leaf for the perfection they wanted. As the elders say, “patience pays off”; hence Gaaja. MBombay Website http://www.bombaytobak.com/ Thanks to Mel Shah Owner of MBombay for providing the Cigar for today's review!!

Blend information : Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut desflorado, Variety Hybrid Mejorado 2004 Binder: Ecuador HVA Seca Mejorada Filler Details: Seco: Perú Hybrid Habano Viso: Ecuador criollo 98, Paraguay Hybrid Habano 2000, Dominican criollo 98. Ligero: Dominican HVA Mejorado

Size : 6.00 in ; 54 RG – Box press Today's Pairing Choice: Royal Lohnagar Single Malt Scotch Whiskey 12 year

Pre-Light Ritual:

The Wrapper of the Gaaja is a silky-smooth, medium caramel-brown color with well hidden minimal seams. The cigar is a box-pressed Toro size, with an open squared foot and a rounded double cap. There is a single band that is colored in drab gold and ornately circular the design. Mel Shah, who is the owner of MBombay Tobak states that his wife created the design. The only lettering on the band is in red around the label “Bombay Tobak” in cursive and “GAAJA” in straight bold font. I want to point out that this artwork, although different in it's design holds true to the Sanskrit art of the other MBombay bands, which I find extremely appealing.

Cold Draw: The draw was perfect with my trusty V-Cutter, and allowed air to move through the cigar effortlessly, but did have enough resistance to know that you were drawing through it. Pre-light taste highlights were of sweet wood, natural sweet-tobacco and toasted caramel.

First Draw:

At first light there is a slight flavor of bitter coffee evolving into creamy-caramel and toasted graham cracker. The cigar was producing leathery textures with slight pepper notes. Immediately there were copious amounts of thick creamy white smoke. I'd place the strength of the Gaaja MEDIUM/FULL bodied range. The retro produced a slight pepper influence, right on the top of the palate and worked its way into the back of the throat. Retro is a must with this cigar to get the most of the flavors. The finish was long and complex and introduces a warm mocha coffee and dark chocolate aftertaste. First Third: Sweet wood and creamy-mocha notes were the primary flavors at this point. The was also a slight natural tobacco, and caramel sweetness too that emerged, enhancing the enjoyment of this smooth Stick. The burn with light-gray ash was even, although smoked faster than other MBombay Cigars I've had. The draw remained open, and perfect, not too open, and not choked off.

Half way there: The creamy-leathery notes began to pull back just in time for the wood and mocha to present itself in a more pronounced way. Here is where the natural tobacco sweetness, and the graham cracker and caramel began to flaunt its complexity. Retrohale continued to be mostly warm mocha coffee and dark chocolate, with a slight pepper. The Ash broke off right before the picture below was taken a little less than 1/2 way through.

Onward toward the nub: The flavors held steady, and didn't change that much from the halfway point. The complexity that was present continued to be extremely enjoyable throughout maintaining it's flavors of Sweet Wood, Tobacco, Mocha, Dark Chocolate, and Leather. Often, I would get spikes of pepper and Green Hay to whet my palate and the whole experience was what I've come to expect from MBombay; smooth, creamy goodness with a subtleness about it that warrants high marks.

Conclusion and Recommendation: Where to begin? This cigar is a complex, 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. Mel Shah, and MBombay have yet again, knocked it out of the park. I would strongly urge you to RUN not walk to your local B&M on 01 July 2016 to get your hands on these, you will not be disappointed in the least! As this is a little more full-bodied than previous releases, I feel that this stick is perfect for all smokers, from the Newbie, to the Afficionado.

CigarSticks Score: 4 out of 5 Beards - BOX WORTHY!