Archetype Initiation Toro (6 x 52)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Cigar-Coop.com website)
Ventura Cigar Company has announced an expanded distribution of its Archetype Chapter 2 line. This is a line under the Archetype brand that consists of two cigars produced by Drew Estate – Initiation and Axis Mundi.  In addition the company has updated the packaging of both of these cigars.

Archetype was announced back in July, 2016 and was released shortly after the IPCPR Trade Show. According to Ventura Cigar Company, the Chapter 2 cigars almost immediately sold out. The company says the inventory has now been restored, and will now be more readily available.

“The exceptional blends of the Initiation and Axis Mundi cigars are unchanged in this second release,” says Benjamin Winokur, Marketing Manager, Ventura Cigar Company. “We’ve updated the artwork on the bands, but have otherwise left the perfection of these smokes alone. The only real difference of this batch versus the initial Chapter 2 release is its wider distribution. Initiation and Axis Mundi will finally be easier for customers to find. And that’s something to be excited about.”

Archetype was released under two sub brands: Series A and Series B. Series A consists of three cigars produced at Davidoff-owned factories while Series B consists of the Drew Estate produced offerings. Recently Series A and Series B has been rebranded Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 respectively.

Archetype Initiation features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan tobaccos. It is offered in four sizes: Corona (5 x 46), Robusto (5 x 54), Toro (6 x 52) and Churchill (7 × 48). Pricing ranges from $10.25 to $13.00 per cigar.

The cigar is a medium brown and the wrapper does not appear oily. It has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was very good. The initial flavors were a tangy cedar with strawberry notes, white chocolate, light black coffee base, and a white pepper which I rated at a 7 1/2. Even at this early stage I can detect the white chocolate changing to a caramel.

2 inches in (30 minutes) the flavors are changing. Now they are a tangy orange citrus with strawberry notes, caramel, and brown sugar with a light coffee base. The pepper seems to be a mix of white and black pepper at this point. The coffee is a little more pronounced. The cigar is very sweet. The finish is a mix of caramel and cedar and there is a nice amount of lingering pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. The first third is rated at a 92.

4 inches in (60 minutes) the flavors are still intact but there is an additional flavor of chocolate. It adds more sweetness but it's not overly prominent. It's rather subtle but you can detect it. The cigar is still medium bodied. All the flavors are mixing well at this point. The cigar is somewhat complex as it continues to make changes. The second third score is also a 92.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 31 minutes. I did not expect that since it had an average feel in the hand. The chocolate notes increased and mixed well with the tangy citrus and strawberry notes. The brown sugar and caramel notes were pretty much gone. The elevated sweet chocolate notes replaced them. The black coffee base remained and was somewhat elevated. The pepper remained good and seemed to change to a straight black at the end. The finish was still one of caramel with a light amount of cedar. The cigar remained medium bodied. This cigar, to me, was complex as it made many changes. But, I like that. This is a good cigar that is not powerful but very flavorful. I rated the final third also a 92.

Overall Score: 92