The word summa means a ‘comprehensive work’, a ‘summary or a synthesis of the body of work’ thus far. Ferio Tego Summa is a blend that embodies the diversity and complexity of the Ferio Tego Portfolio. The Summa blend highlights the incredible trifecta of body, flavor and intensity… and maximizes those levels with wonderful balance.
Or here in New England, Summa is better known as one of the four seasons.
When Michael Herklots left Nat Sherman he left with the brand names Metropolitan and Timeless but opted to brand his company Ferio Tego. I’ll share more thoughts on this later on. Two years after the company launched they opted to release a regular production cigar with the flagship brand name.
Cigar Review: Ferio Tego Summa
Size: 5 x 50 (Robusto)
Wrapper: Ecuador Corojo
Binder: Ecuador Sumatra
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Debut: September 2023
Box Count: 10
The Cigar: Packaged in 10 count Okume wood boxes instead of traditional cedar this had to play partly into the price of the cigar. Okume is grown on the West Coast of Africa between Cameroon and Congo. It’s a detail that is lost on 98% of cigar smokers if not more. Inside the cigars sit in one row with the Ferio Tego crest of blue and gold and a secondary band denoting Summa. The wrapper has few notable veins with a sloppy application of a cap. In the hand 2 of the 3 cigars reviewed felt under filled.
The Taste: The cold draw of the Ferio Tego Summa is a delightful raisin and fig that is easy to get lost in delaying the lighting process. The foot of the cigar mimics some of the fig where it is joined by a warm molasses. Once the cigar is toasted and lit the sweetness of Summa is gone with notes that are reminiscent to scallions or green onions.
Smoking the first third the green onions but slowly begin to fade as notes of nuts (macadamia) and oak become dominant. There is also some hits of dry tea leaves and earth present with a touch of saltiness on the finish. The retrohale has touch of freshly baked bread that quickly gives way to an abundance of red pepper.
Moving into the second third the cigar focus on an oak heavy flavor profile with some subtle moss. It’s at this point I wish I didn’t have work later today and could pour my self a glass of Oban to pair with as I can see them pairing well together. After needing a couple of relights around the halfway point, the cigar showcases some nuttiness, bread notes and a sour component from the Sumatra binder. The retrohale sees the bread notes intensify with some citrus components.
As we conclude the Ferio Tego Summa notes of oak remain as the cigar becomes salty. As we move past the primary band location notes of peanuts and red pepper emerge with a sour finish. The retrohale continues to showcase bread notes and continued citrus.
Conclusion: Sitting around with friends of different age brackets I was asked what ever became of Michael Herklots. I told them he launched Ferio Tego. The result was a look of confusion, the name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. The conversation then went to Timeless and I told them he still owns the brand and sells them with Metropolitan. Everyone was in agreement he should have named his company Timeless cigars. A conversation then naturally occurred about the advertising possibility of Michael Herklots and his sense of style imposed in a turn of the century photo with the word, Timeless.
One has to admire Michael Herklots and his loyalty, but I wonder how much his loyalty has hurt the growth of his brands. From my view point over the last decade the Quesada factory (where these are made) has gone downhill. I tend to ignore the brands portfolio from the Dominican Republic. I for one would love to see Michael reconnect with the Kelner family as a nod to his early days at Davidoff and see what could be accomplished at KBF (Kelner Boutique Factory).
With that said, the Summa doesn’t come off as a $19.00 cigar. Two of the three samples I smoked had bad burns in the middle section where there was a noticeable void of tobacco on both of them. Lastly, the flavor wasn’t there outside of the cold draw which gave me high hopes.
Score: 85
Price: $19.00
