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 giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the Crux Epicure Short Salomone. This is a cigar line we previously assessed in the Robusto size back in November 2018.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Plasencia S.A.
Short Salomone: 6 x 54

Late in 2018, Crux Cigars announced its Short Salomone Series. It’s a limited production line extension that would add a 6 x 54 Short Salomone vitola to three of Crux Cigars’ lines: Crux Guild, Crux Limitada, and Crux Epicure. Since its launch in 2014, most of the company’s releases have been parejo (rounded) shaped cigars, so the Short Salomone is a bit of a change. Today we take a closer look at the Crux Epicure Short Salomone.

Crux Epicure is Crux Cigars’ Connecticut Shade line. It was originally introduced at the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show, but actually didn’t start to hit retail shelves until late 2017. The Robusto size would go on to capture #2 Cigar of the Year on Cigar Coop for 2018. Crux Epicure is a cigar that features an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper over all-Nicaraguan tobaccos. It is produced at Crux Cigars’ long-time manufacturing partner, Plasencia S.A. and is rolled at their La Catedral de Tabaco in Estelí, Nicaragua. The Short Salomone is a unique sized figurado and because of the skill needed to make this cigar, it is rolled by a single pair. As a result, production is limited. Crux says the initial batch of the Crux Epicure Short Salomone was limited to 500 ten-count boxes.

Flavorwise, the Crux Epicure Short Salomone opened up with notes of black pepper, cream, and citrus. As the cigar experience progressed through the early first third, a honey-like sweetness emerged. The citrus notes joined with the honey notes creating a unique orange-honey sweetness that still very much had a tobacco taste to it. Concurrently the sweetness did not overpower as there were notes of black pepper, baker’s spice, vanilla, and cream that rounded out the profile. By the second third, the orange-honey note became more of a classic honey sweetness, still maintaining a tobacco feel. Both the pepper and baker’s spice increased in intensity. By the last third, the honey notes were joined by some bread notes in the forefront. The pepper and baker’s spice were two of the more prominent background flavors, and there still were touches of vanilla and orange.

In terms of strength and body, the Crux Epicure Short Salomone is going to be medium. There was a slight increase of the strength and body along the way, but overall the Crux Epicure Short Salomone remained in the medium range of the spectrum. The body had a slight edge over the strength during the smoking experience.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

While many people will find a 6 x 60 cigar to be too big, I often have found the classic 7 1/4 x 57 Salomon to also be too big. I really liked the smaller 6 x 54 format that Crux brings to the table with the Short Salomone series and it works terrifically with the Crux Epicure blend. The tapering and size of this cigar gives the Epicure Short Salomone its own identity when compared to the other sizes, yet remains true to the roots of the Epicure blend. Most importantly, the flavors excel with this cigar. While there is a nice amount of sweetness, it doesn’t overpower the blend and makes for a nice amount of complexity. This is a cigar I’d recommend to the novice or experienced cigar enthusiast. As for myself, this is a cigar I’d smoke again – and with a ten-count box, it’s easily one I’d recommend a box purchase of.

Summary

Key Flavors: Cream, Bread, Cedar, Creme Brûlée, Honey Nut, Pepper, Baker’s Spice, Citrus
Burn: Very Good
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium to High
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Finish: Excellent