JC Newman

April 03, 2022

Black Label Trading Company (BLTC) MEMENTO MORI Lonsdale (6 1/2 x 46)





Video review HERE.


(Description provided by BLTC)

Black Label Trading Company (BLTC) is releasing MEMENTO MORI in three vitolas to select retailers early next month. Memento Mori is hand crafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua.

MEMENTO MORI is symbolic of the inevitability of death and serves as a reminder tomorrow is not promised. Live life today.

"Memento Mori is exactly what you envision when you think of a Black Label Trading Co. cigar. From its appearance to its flavor profile, this cigar is all about the darkness. The Memento Mori started as a factory exclusive, and I loved it so much, I wanted to release it to the general public. The flavor profile is bold, rich, earthy, with notes of dried dark fruits and bitter cocoa. The retrohale brings the spice with white pepper, and cinnamon on the finish. Overall, this cigar is the perfect balance between strength and complexity," says James Brown, creator of BLTC and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra.


MEMENTO MORI

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf

Binder: Ecuador Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan


Vitolas:

Robusto – 5 x 50 (20 count) MSRP $11.00

Corona – 5.5 x 42 (20 count) MSRP $10.50

Lonsdale – 6.5 x 46 (20 count) MSRP $12.00 REVIEWED TODAY


The cap is finished in a pigtail.




The cigar is dark and well made. It has a nice feel in the hand.




The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were dark chocolate, hints of citrus, peach, and citrus peel, brown sugar, light dry nutmeg, and espresso. There was black pepper rated at 8 to 8 1/2. This is starting out as a very dark noted, peppery, and sweet cigar. Very nice start.



At the first third (22 minutes) there are some transitions. Now I had raisin, caramel, a light strip of citrus, light cinnamon, and black coffee. There is a richness in the raisin and caramel. The espresso toned down to a dark roasted black coffee. There is a very nice mix of flavors. The cigar is full bodied. It was actually full bodied at light up. The finish is raisin, black coffee, and very good lingering black pepper. The cigar has transitioned into a very dark, powerful, and sweet cigar. I rated the first third 95.




As I moved through the second third (47 minutes) the cigar made more transitions. I now had raisin which was lighter, nougat, caramel, a lot of brown sugar, light underlying citrus, and black coffee. The black pepper is still 8+. The cigar remains full bodied. Have something on your stomach when you smoke this cigar. The finish is nougat and raisin with very good lingering black pepper. I held the score of 95.




The cigar lasted 1 hour 8 minutes. There were more transitions in the final third. The notes now were raisin, nougat, light caramel, a lot of brown sugar, and a lot of black coffee. The citrus notes dropped off. The cigar is very full bodied. The finish is toffee and raisin with very good lingering black pepper. I held the score of 95. This is a very good cigar with power and plenty of sweetness. The black pepper was very good throughout. 




Overall Score: 95

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