JC Newman

July 17, 2022

Viaje Private Keep Lemon (6 x 52 Toro)


(No video review)

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

Private Keep Lemon is the fourth cigar in a series that Viaje debuted in 2018 as a collection of “prized blends which haven’t yet found a home.” According to comments left on an Instagram post by the company, it is a Nicaraguan puro with a criollo 98 wrapper. This year’s release, like the others, gets its name from the color of the ribbon used to hold the cigars together in each box, the only way to identify the unbanded cigars. It is offered in a 6 x 52 toro vitola and will be priced at $11.50 per cigar.

It joins the Private Keep Light Blue, Private Keep Tangerine and Private Keep Chartreuse, which were released in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively.


The cigar has a closed foot and finished with a pigtail cap. It has a nice feel in the hand.





The test draw after cutting the cap was good considering it has a closed foot. The initial flavors at light up were citrus peel, light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and leather. There was black pepper rated at 7 to 7 1/2. 


At the first third (34 minutes) the brown sugar and cinnamon came out a little more. There was still citrus peel, cinnamon, nutmeg, and leather. The nutmeg and leather work together to make a rather dry note. The black pepper is now at 7 1/2. The finish is nutmeg and leather with good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied at this point. The overall sweetness could be better. I rated the first third 90.




As I moved through the second third (1 hour 12 minutes) the dry nutmeg and leather increased. The sweeter notes are still there but there is no denying the increase of the nutmeg and leather. The finish is leather with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied, leaning toward medium to full. I rated the second third 88.




The cigar lasted 1 hour 38 minutes. The cigar's sweetness is barely there. The one good thing is the black pepper. It has continued to rise throughout the cigar's burn. I rated it an 8 1/2 in the final third. As far as the notes there are notes of light citrus and brown sugar with quite a bit of nutmeg and leather. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is light citrus, nutmeg, and leather with very good lingering black pepper. I rated the final third 86.

Overall Score: 88

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