Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or providing a score for a first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the 7-20-4 Hustler Dog Walker. This is a cigar we assessed in the Toro size, back in December 2012.
Wrapper: Brazilian Mata Fina, Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Costa Rican
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Honduras (Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L.)
Dog Walker: 4 1/2 x 40
In 2012, Kurt Kendall’s 7-20-4 Cigars unveiled its third blend – the 7-20-4 Hustler. The theme of 7-20-4 cigars has focused around bringing back old brands with a touch of nostalgia and the Hustler is one such brand. The distinguishing characteristic of the 7-20-4 Hustler is that it has a barber-pole styled wrapper. In 2013, 7-20-4 added a 4 1/2 x 40 petit corona line extension to Hustler with the Dog Walker. The Dog Walker size was made popular in Kendall’s original 7-20-4 line. The name is derived from the fact that you might want a short smoke while walking the dog. Today we take a closer look at the 7-20-4 Hustler Dog Walker.
The barber pole of the 7-20-4 Hustler consists of a Brazilian Mata Fina and Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper. The style of the Hustler is noticeably different than many barber pole cigars in that it is more “tightly wound” than many other barber poles. With the Hustler, the Mata Fina (darker) wrapper is the base wrapper whihe Ecuadorian Connecticut (lighter) wrapper is a thinner strip that is twisted over the Mata Fina wrapper. The remainder of the blend consists of a Costa Rican binder and Nicaraguan filler. The cigars are sold in 20 count boxes or five packs.
The 7-20-4 Hustler Dog Walker delivers notes of coffee, citrus, cream, and white pepper. There was an inherent sweetness that seemed to come from the coffee notes. There were a few points where the citrus flavors also had a little sourness to it.
When I first smoked the Hustler in a Toro size, I found it to be a bold smoke, however I have also found that time mellows this cigar out. The Hustler Dog Walkers smoked here had about six months of age on them. These cigars ended up being medium strength, medium to full-bodied smokes.
While normally I like a longer smoke, I found the 7-20-4 Hustler Dog Walker to be more than satisfying. It’s a cigar I could recommend to any cigar enthusiast. As for myself, this would be a cigar I reach for when I want a quick smoke. I still prefer the longer Toro better (it was a Top 20 Cigar on Cigar Coop for 2013). While it’s worthy of those five packs, I’d also go and split one of those 20 count boxes with someone.
Summary
Key Flavors: Coffee, Cream, Citrus, White Pepper, Wood
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium to Full
Finish: Excellent
Rating
Assessment: 3.5-Box Split
Score: 90
References
Previous Assessment: 7-20-4 Hustler
News: 7-20-4 Hustler Dog Walker, Hustler Line Goes Regular Production
Price: ~$5.70 (Based on 20 count box price of $114.00)
Source: Purchased
Brand Reference: 7-20-4
