JC Newman

July 29, 2023

Viaje Flashing Thunder (6 1/2 x 52 Toro Extra)





Video review HERE.


(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

Viaje has announced that it will have a quartet of cigars arriving on store shelves in the coming weeks as it prepares to celebrate the 4th of July holiday.

Headlining the group is a new cigar called Flashing Thunder, a  6 1/2 x 52 toro extra that uses an Ecuadorian habano wrapper atop a Nicaraguan binder and filler. While a Flashing Thunder is a type of Roman Candle firework that packs a notably loud bang, it is not related blend-wise to a cigar by that name that’s also getting a new version this year.


The cigar is well made, medium brown in color, and has a nice feel in the hand.




The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were cedar, citrus, brown sugar, cinnamon, toffee, and leather. There was a lot of black pepper rated at 8 to 8 1/2. Nice start.



At the first third (46 minutes) the sweet notes are just like they started except the toffee is very light to non-existent. The leather robs some of the enjoyment of the sweet notes. It's rather aggressive and you get it right after the nice sweet notes. It combines with the elevated black pepper too. The finish is leather with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium to full bodied. I rated the first third 92.




As I moved through the second third (1 hour 29 minutes) the leather pulled back a little allowing the sweet notes to shine more. The black pepper has not pulled back and is still very elevated. The toffee is somewhat back and in the mix of sweet notes of cedar, citrus, brown sugar, and cinnamon. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The cigar improved for me. I rated the second third 93.




The cigar lasted an incredible 2 hours! What a burn time! The cigar was unchanged in the final third except for the strength, which is now full bodied. The finish is unchanged. It was nice to see the cigar hold its ground. The black pepper is still way up around 8 to 8 1/2. Being a black pepper fan that's ok with me. I held the score of 93. I enjoyed this cigar and it's available at smallbatchcigar.com. They sell for $64.99 for a 5 pack and if you use code tinytim you can get them for 10% off; $58.50 with free shipping! Good cigar from Viaje.




Overall Score: 92.67

No comments: