(Description provided by Protocol Cigars)
Protocol Cigars is proud to announce the release of The Protocol Eliot Ness. It is the second installment of the newly created “Lawmen Series.” The Protocol Eliot Ness will continue the more refined and regal look of last year’s release of the Sir Robert Peel. The Sir Robert Peel was a bold change from the more modern look that Protocol Cigars had established up until that time. It used more of a traditional, elegant, sophisticated, and regal packaging design. Juan Cancel, co-founder and owner of Protocol Cigars said: “The Sir Robert Peel was a total change of direction for the company. We wanted to offer our supporters a more regal product from marketing, packaging, and to the actual tobacco used in the blend. We wanted to stay true to our working class supporters, but wanted to also offer them a higher end product. Sometimes the average working Joe likes to put on a suit and get a little fancy while smoking his cigar. It was a bold move and it paid off. The Protocol Sir Robert Peel was and continues to be a tremendous success for us. We figured why not continue on the coattails of that success.” Continuing that look and feel we present the Protocol Eliot Ness.
The company has created the “Lawmen Series,” which Sir Robert Peel was the first installment. Continuing with the company’s law enforcement theme, they have created the Protocol Eliot Ness. The concept is that criminals are so often glorified in Hollywood and in media. Very rarely do the men and woman who work tirelessly to bring these criminal to justice are ever recognized. This is where the “Lawmen Series” comes in. The “Lawmen Series” will pay homage to the law enforcement personnel that bring these glorified criminals to justice.
Eliot Ness was a Federal Agent in the Bureau of Prohibition. This agency was created in 1920 to enforce the National Prohibition Act of 1919. Eliot Ness was assigned to Chicago, Illinois. In 1931 Eliot Ness arrested American Gangster Al Capone. That year adorns the Protocol Eliot Ness Band. The Protocol Eliot Ness was created to honor this dedicated and hard working law enforcement officer.
Another first time and bold move by Protocol Cigars was to offer the Sir Robert Peel in a Natural and Maduro. To keep with that history, the Protocol Eliot Ness will also come in a Natural and Maduro offering. Both blends are Nicaraguan Puros, where all tobacco comes from Nicaragua. The natural will have a Double Habano wrapper/binder with Viso/Seco/Criollo fillers. The maduro will have a beautiful dark and oily Nicaraguan Broadleaf. Both the natural and maduro share the same habano binder. The natural’s filler are Viso/Seco/Corojo from Esteli and Jalapa. There is something very special about these 2 blends. It is the first time Protocol Cigars have offered a cigar with no ligero tobacco in the blend. Kevin Keithan, co-owner states: “We wanted to do something new and exciting for us. This is the first blend we offer to the market that has no ligero tobacco. A far cry from our first offering in 2015 that had quadruple ligero in the filler. So all the strength and power of the blends come from the other tobaccos. It is a very unique smoking experience, especially for those who are used to smoking Protocol Cigars. We are super excited about this project!” The Protocol Eliot Ness will come in 10 count boxes in a 6X52 Boxed Press Vitola. The MSRP will be $119.50 and available by mid to late fall and will be a full production line.
Another first for the company is that the Protocol Eliot Ness will be manufactured at AJ Fernandez’s San Lotano Factory in Ocotal, Nicaraguan, under the direction of Erik Espinosa. The cigar was blended by Protocol Cigars, under the guidance of La Zona’s blender Hector Alfonso Sr. “We really wanted this cigar to be done with a Connecticut Broadleaf, unfortunately it’s very scarce right now. We are fortunate enough to have a great relationship with AJ Fernandez. AJ offered us the use of his proprietary Nicaraguan Broadleaf, which lead to his offer to actually manufacture the cigars in his factory. The Protocol Elliot Ness will be manufactured using his tobaccos, while following the blend we created. We are eternally grateful to AJ Fernandez, Erik Espinosa and Hector Alfonso Sr. for their help in making this project a reality!” Said Juan Cancel.
Blend:
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Habano, Esteli
Filler: Nicaraguan Viso/Seco/Criollo
The cigar looks very nice and sports a golden cloth band at the foot designating it as the natural version. The cigar has an average feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were citrus, a touch of brown sugar, a lot of citrus peel, a lot of dry nutmeg, and a black coffee base. There was black pepper rated at 7. There is quite a bit of nutmeg and citrus peel at the outset.
At the first third (32 minutes) the cigar is continuing to be quite different from other Protocol Cigars I've had. There continues to be a lot of nutmeg and citrus peel which hamper the sweeter notes. There is also quite a bit of black coffee. There is slight bitterness in the citrus peel. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is citrus peel and nutmeg with good lingering black pepper. The cigar is on the edge with me. It has nice sweet notes but they are overshadowed by the heavy nutmeg, citrus peel, and black coffee. I rated the first third 91.
As I moved through the second third (59 minutes) leather notes appeared. They also took away more of the sweeter notes of citrus and brown sugar. The nutmeg, citrus peel, and black coffee continued to be heavy. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is citrus peel, nutmeg, leather, and good lingering black pepper. This cigar does not taste like a typical Protocol cigar. I rated the second third 89.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 23 minutes. The sweeter notes made a slight comeback. I noticed the citrus and brown sugar more. Gone are the leather notes. The nutmeg and citrus peel continue to be elevated, along with the black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is back to citrus peel and nutmeg with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar bounced back enough to get the final third to 90. This is not what I expect in a Protocol cigar. It may be the tobacco used in AJ's factory or possibly the lack of ligero. Not sure. I rated the final third 90. You can purchase these cigars HERE.
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