Assessment Updates will be posted on this web-site to: 1) Assess “pre-review” cigars that were not given a rating or score (typically pre-release cigars); 2) Provide numeric ratings to cigars previously assessed prior to the implementation of the numeric scoring system; 3) Provide a re-assessment and re-score of previously assessed/score cigars. Today, we provide an assessment rating and score to the Hammer + Sickle Berlin Wall Series in the Toro size. This was a cigar we originally assessed back in November, 2013 in the Celebration Short Corona size.
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| Hammer + Sickle Berlin Wall Toro |
Wrapper: Honduran Criollo
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Honduran, Dominican
Country of Origin: Honduras
Toro: 6 x 50
The Berlin Wall Series was launched back in 2011. It was the second line to be launched by Hammer + Sickle cigars. Hammer + Sickle Cigars is a subsidiary of the the Klin Groupe, which is famous for making Hammer + Sickle Vodka. A few years ago, the company branched out to become a lifestyle brand – and launched a cigar line under Klin Tobacco. While the Vodka is made in Russia, their cigars have been made in countries such as the Dominican Republic and Honduras. The Berlin Wall Series comes from Honduras and the line originally started out as a joint collaboration with Christian Eiroa. Today, we take another look at this cigar, this time in a Toro vitola.
The Berlin Wall Series features unique style band – a malleable copper band with a paper background (to protect the metal from the cigar). The regular production (all except the Celebration Short Corona) vitolas in the Hammer + Sickle series come in a unique marble box with an adornment that looks like the famed Brandenburg Gate. The boxes are also available for customized engraving for consumers.
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| Hammer + Sickle Berlin Wall Series Packaging |
The Hammer + Sickle Berlin Wall Series features a Honduran Criollo wrapper over a mix of Dominican and Dominican tobaccos. The Toro itself is in a classic 6 x 50 size. The Berlin Wall Series Toro started out with notes of white pepper. Once the pepper settled, notes of earth and cream surfaced. This was soon joined by a subtle prune sweetness. As the cigar progresses, this is going to very much deliver a classic Honduran earthy profile. The cream, pepper, and prune notes are secondary.
Back when I assessed the Hammer + Sickle Berlin Wall Series Celebration Short Corona, I called it the “Belle of the Ball” meaning it was the standout vitola in this line. The big difference is I felt the the Short Corona offered more in the way of the prune sweetness and it seemed to gel with this blend’s creamy and earthy profile as well. I found the Toro to be dialed back with that sweetness. The other difference is I felt there was more in the way of complexity in the Short Corona’s flavor profile.
Strength and Body-wise, I also found the Berlin Wall Series Toro to be a little more dialed back than the Short Corona. It’s going to deliver a medium strength, medium-bodied smoke from start to finish. While I liked the fact the Short Corona had a little more sweetness, I felt the dialed back profile worked nicely in terms of the Toro’s flavor profile.
Overall, I still found the Hammer + Sickle Berlin Wall Series Toro to be a nice part of the line. It’s a cigar I’d still recommend a five pack on, but I wouldn’t view it as a substitute for the Short Corona.
Summary
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Low
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Finish: Excellent
Assessment: 3.0 – The Fiver
Score: 88
References
Original Assessment (Celebration Short Corona): Hammer + Sickle Berlin Wall Series Celebration Short Corona
News: n/a
Price: $8.79
Source: Cigars Provided by Manufacturer
Stogie Geeks Podcast: n/a
Stogie Feed: n/a
