Man O' War Ruination Belicoso

The substantial and elegant bands on the Man O’ War aren’t just window dressing. Full-bodied aficionados are going to love this handsome stogie: a supremely flavorful and superbly constructed handmade that’s an absolute powder keg. Before you even light this brown beauty, hold it awhile, because it’s not every day that such a weighty, firmly packed cigar gladdens your hand. When you smoke it, chances are it will gladden your heart. Driven by its bold mixture of Cuban-seeded Nicaraguan and Honduran long-leaf ligeros, it offers layer upon layer of bold flavors that are raw and intense and reminiscent of Cuba. However, the balance is kept with its velvety smoothness. The tobaccos are hand-selected and picked from the plant’s highest priming, which results in maximum strength and robust flavor. The oily Habano Ecuador ligero leaf wrapper is thick and juicy, rivaling the flavorful core within. As you spark up, an explosion of pepper and spice greets you, but after the first inch look for Ruination to morph into a softer smoke with notes of oak, earth, toast, wood and leather. Panelists found the smoke velvety and the toast and charcoal aroma wonderful. The long toasty finish didn’t disappoint. Panelists concurred that Ruination’s most cherished characteristic is balance. Just when the intensity teeters on overbearing, it settles into a smooth smoke brimming with flavor – and then the cycle repeats. A shifting roller coaster of taste and strength, this blend is the complete package. A full tawny port or VSOP Cognac will match this stogie's prowess.