Onyx Reserve No. 4

Crafted: Dominican Republic
Length: 5
Ring: 44
Strength: Medium to Full
Wrapper Color: Dark Brown
Wrapper Type: Darkened Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan and Peruvian
Date: May 24, 2009
Purchased: Cigar Depot in Douglasville, GA
Place: Man Tower (aka Theological Thunderdome)
Cut: Credo 2 Blades Cutter
Lighter: Strike on Box Match
Accompanying Beverage: Diet Coke
Accompanying Music: A Beatles, Elton John, and Coldplay compilation on my Zune

The Onyx Reserve #4 is advertised as a Petit Corona. However, it looks a little like a Robusto due to its not so petit 44 ring gage.

This box pressed cigar is very rustic in appearance. It is vieny and the box press has produced a rounded square shape rather than the crisp lines that you expect to see. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is dark, almost black. It is an aged maduro. The wrapper is only mildly oily. It does not have the perfect shape and oiliness that a Partagas Black Label would provide. It more closely resembles the suede appearance of a box pressed Henry Clay, only much darker. I will say the cap was even and provided a suitable guide for my Credo to snip.

As with every Onyx I have ever smoked the opening draw is almost sweet with a hint of bitter cocoa. I am normally not the biggest fan of Connecticut wrappers but I fell instantly in love with the darkened Connecticut Broadleaf.

Around the mid-point, while the toasty sweetness continued on my palate and Daniel wafted through on the Zune, I adjusted the burn once. This does not mean that the cigar burns poorly. No cigar has a fair chance with me at the helm. Both the cigar and the song remind me of my brother. One of the first cigars I ever smoked was an Onyx after Mike’s recommendation. I am not sure why the song does but it always has. Adjusting the burn? No, but it would have been funny to say so.

At length it is the flavor of toasted cedar and a sweet dark coffee undertone as well. Not an incredibly complex cigar it has only a faint flavor change from start to finish. It burns a beautiful white ash that contrasts pleasantly with the extremely dark wrapper. Although I prefer a Honduran cigar with coffee I think this would go great with a strong brew like Sumatra.

Even though I didn’t find an official Cigar Aficionado rating for the #4 it’s next bigger brother, the Mini Belicoso, scored a hefty 94. The per cigar price should run in the $4.50-$5.25 range at shops in a larger metro area. I have heard the Onyx Reserve line called the Maduro lovers dream. I would agree and plan to stock a number in my humidor.