George Rico has some interesting ideas when it comes to boutique cigars, but we’ll let him do what he do as long as he keeps releasing gems such as the Gran Habano S.T.K. Black Dahlia Corona Gorda. Much of the time, so-called ‘boutique’ stogies come from small, often obscure companies and while they can sometimes be fantastic sticks, they don’t always live up to the hype. Then there’s the other common usage for the term, of which Rico’s various ‘Gran Habano S.T.K.’ frontmarks are a part: Cigars from known makers that for valid reasons are limited or short run batches. The S.T.K. Black Dahlia is a regular, albeit small, production run containing Nicaraguan Cubita and Habano, Colombian, and Costa Rican longleaf filler beneath dual Habano binders and a creamy shade-grown Habano wrapper, all from Nicaragua.
The multi-pedaled and ebony-hued namesake flower that adorns the otherwise white and gold band just below an embossed S.T.K. (Stay True Kid) label is the only thing actually black about a Gran Habano S.T.K. Black Dahlia Corona Gorda, the solid barrel of which is simply a rich light-brown color. After inhaling the crisp and sweet tobacco aroma that wafts from the vitola, the wise enthusiast will quickly move to the lighting stage to release the first bursts of black pepper, cracked wheat, and sweet cream delivered by a near-overwhelming amount of thick smoke. Easily medium-full from the beginning, this savory cigar stays cool burning as the flavors of espresso, cedar, almond paste, gingerbread, raisins, and orange peel all take turns wowing the tastebuds.
One of the best things about the widening of the boutique description is when it merges new tastes with quality and affordability, all traits the 5 5/8” X 46 Gran Habano S.T.K. Black Dahlia Corona Gorda carries in spades. Dig yourself out of that cigar rut you’ve somehow found yourself in and try one or more of these quality stogies before we run out. Not that we will, but it can happen.
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