LH “Nicholas” is probably a brand that at the time of this review very few people knew about. But brand owner Nicholas Syris’ started his cigar jouney picking and sorting tobacco in Greece. Eventually he would make his way to the Middle East where he would run a few cigar shops in LH (La Vida Habana). Eventually his road took him to Cuba where he learned the art of cigar blending and finally to his own cigar brand, LH Cigars.
He was a former co-host on Smooth Draws and is now co-host on Simply Stogies.
The Nick line actually started as a cigar blended for Island Jim. However, the cigar was so memorable that Island Jim felt his name should be on the cigar. That line was released in 2020 and the Nicholas is an extension of that line.
Cigar Review: LH “Nicholas”
Size: Toro (6 x 54)
Wrapper: Mexico (San Andres)
Binder: Ecuador
Fillers: Brazil, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Factory: Tobaccos de Costa Rica
Release Date: March 2024
Production: Regular
Box Count: 20
The Cigar: Despite not being a part of our scoring or the fact you can’t smoke the band I find myself often starting the review with it. The band on this simple with a typewriter font with the letters striking slightly off center. As far as the blend of the cigar it seems to be listed differently in various places I’ve looked. One thing is for certain the references to a HVA wrapper don’t seem correct as the cigar is too dark for that type of wrapper. After checking with various sources as the LH website makes no reference to the cigar, we’ve gone with a San Andres wrapper that has some subtle oils to it and some thin veins.
The Notes: The cold draw has a combo of mocha and cedar with a subtle black cherry sweetness. The aroma from the foot is non-existent or my sniffer isn’t working. When I say non-existent it is complete devoid of any aromas as if it was a black hole. Once we toast and light the cigar there is a subtle but growing nuttiness.
As we enter the first third a definitive lychee nut develops which is sweet and tart with a floral component. I’ve taste lychee nuts in a flavor profile before but none have been as definitive as this LH Nicholas. However, it doesn’t last long disappearing right around the instant I took the picture for this review. As the first third comes to a close notes of cedar and sandy earth dominate the palate with a gritty mouth feel with the cedar intensified on the retrohale.
The second third of the cigar sees some dried tropical fruit and nuttiness develop reminiscent of the nuts my grandfather would put out when he would have his daily 4pm J&B Scotch (He lived to 96). The dried fruit is particularly noticeable on the long enjoyable finish that sees some salt and earth. As we reach the halfway point on this slow smoking cigar notes of gritty earth dominating the palate once again and growing pepper on the aroma and retrohale.
The final third sees some chocolate emerge on the finish, but the front end continues to be loaded with gritty earthiness and some sandy turkish coffee. Occasionally notes of cedar appear that at intensified on the retrohale which sees an abundance of black pepper and additional notes of strong coffee.
Conclusion: Back in my retail days I worked for a shop that carried a brand called Don Benigno which was also made at Tobaccos de Costa Rica. They were the only cigar shop that I knew carrying the brand but the cigar had a cult following. If someone asked me today about that brand I would tell them they have to try the LH Nicholas which comes off as more refined but similar in profile.
The profile for me is heavy in earth although there is enough happening to keep me interested as the dark earthy profile falls outside of my personal wheelhouse. However the cigar had great construction, nice burn line, a good aroma and the cigar was balanced despite not being in my profile. So because of that we have to score the cigar for its performance not for our preference.
Score: 90
Price: $14.50
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