Video review HERE.
(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)
The 601 Black returns with a blend of an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler. Hector Alfonso Sr., the company’s director of operations, said that the blend is not as mild as the company’s Crema line, as it offers a more flavorful profile than typical Connecticut-wrapped cigars.
While it was shown off at La Zona Palooza as a 6 x 52, the vitola for the release has changed to a 6 x 50 toro, which is being made at the La Zona Cigar Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Production numbers have not yet been finalized, but the 601 Black Toro will come in 10-count boxes with individual cigars having an MSRP of $10.
The 601 Black dates back over a decade to EO Brands, the company jointly owned by Erik Espinosa and Eddie Ortega. It was discontinued in 2010, though the blend re-emerged under the name Evil Clown early in 2012 as a store exclusive for West Coast Cigars in San Jose, Calif.
In 2016, Espinosa Premium Cigars overhauled the 601 brand, adding a number of new lines and bringing black the 601 Black, though production was very limited and done largely to get the cigar onto the market amidst the looming FDA regulation of the premium cigar industry. While some of those cigars can still be found, the 601 Black has not been in regular production since 2016 according to Alfonso.
The cigar is a light brown and has a nice feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was good with a touch of firmness. The initial flavors at light up were a citrus/cedar, citrus peel, creamy nutmeg, a light earthy black coffee base and a lot of black pepper which I rated at 8. Not a bad start.
At the first third (35 minutes) the nice citrus/cedar is around 60 citrus and 40 cedar. There is nice brown sugar, light nutmeg, light citrus peel, and a light black coffee base. The majority of the base is the black pepper which is still around 7 1/2 to 8. The finish is a touch of citrus with a lot of nutmeg and nice lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. The cigar is very sweet and very peppery. Two things I like. I rated the first third 93.
Moving through the second third (1 hour 5 minutes) not much has changed. I still had the predominately citrus with cedar, brown sugar, nutmeg, and a light black coffee base with a lot of black pepper. The cigar is still medium bodied, which surprises me. The finish is unchanged. I held the score of 93.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 31 minutes. In the final third the cigar lost a little. I still had some residual amounts of citrus and brown sugar but the black coffee is very earthy and elevated. Nutmeg is still in the mix. The black pepper is still good, as well as the lingering black pepper. The finish is unchanged. The cigar is now medium to full bodied. The elevated earthy black coffee hurt the cigar. I rated the final third 90. Overall this is a good cigar. Welcome back, 601 Black.
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