Video review HERE.
(Description taken from Cigar-coop.com website)
Early in 2021, Protocol released its first cigar of the year – an ongoing single store release for Vintage Cigar Lounge in Westerly, Rhode Island known as the Protocol Coppers.
In the case of Vintage Cigar Lounge and Club, it is a retail establishment that is law enforcement owned and operated. “Coppers” is an old time word for police officers. The name was derived from the fact that roofing material was used to make police officer badges. In Britain, the police also received that name because of the shiny buttons on their uniforms. Given the origin of the name “Coppers” and that the cigar is for a place called “Vintage Cigar Lounge,” a vintage look was incorporated into the packaging.
Blend and Origin
Like all Protocol Cigars, Protocol Coppers is produced at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. It consists of an Ecuadorian (Habano) Rosado wrapper over a Nicaraguan-forward blend. One thing that is noteworthy is the use of Dominican tobacco in this blend.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Rosado
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan Esteli & Condega.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: La Zona SA
Vitolas Offered
Protocol Coppers is offered in one size – a 5 5/8 x 46 Corona Gorda. The initial production run was 200 ten-count bundles, but the intention is to keep this as an ongoing production offering for Vintage Cigar Lounge.
The cigar has an average feel in the hand for a corona gorda.
The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were pear, citrus peel, brown sugar, nutmeg, and a light earthy black coffee base. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2 to 8. A little different start for a Protocol cigar but nice.
At the first third (25 minutes) the unique flavors continue but I like them. The flavor notes now are pear, brown sugar, citrus, citrus peel, nutmeg, and black coffee. There is a lot of brown sugar sweetness. The black pepper has increased and causes the nutmeg to be "scratchy". The finish is citrus peel, brown sugar, and a lot of lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. The cigar is very sweet and very peppery. I rated the first third 93.
As I moved through the second third (51 minutes) there is still a little note of pear but there is more citrus and cedar. There is still a lot of brown sugar and at the end of the sweeter flavors I get a drop of whipping cream. The black pepper is now 8+. The amount of black pepper makes it a little difficult to pin down the various flavors. (but I'm a black pepper fan so I don't mind) The finish is citrus and citrus peel with a fantastic amount of lingering black pepper. The cigar is now medium to full bodied. The cigar is very appealing to me. I raised the score to 94 for the second third.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 7 minutes. At this point there is a lot of citrus, cedar, and brown sugar with minor amounts of the pear notes. The cigar is very sweet. The black pepper is still very high and nice. The finish is a lot of citrus with a little nutmeg and a lot of lingering black pepper. The cigar is close to full bodied at this point. This is another cigar that has improved as it goes along. I rated the final third 95. Since these are a shop exclusive you'll have to visit the Vintage Cigar Lounge website to purchase them. A very good cigar worth seeking out.
Overall Score: 94
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