262 Cigars The Nines Toro 6x52 (Reviewed on May 3, 2025)
Purchased through rare-cigars.com
By Antonio N.
Purchased through rare-cigars.com
By Antonio N.
The presentation of the Nines is quite classy and understated, with a nice thick band with gold embossed lettering over a black-grey background. This sample of the Nines had about 3 weeks of rest un-cellophaned in 67% humidity.
The Nines feels hefty in the hand, firmly rolled with no soft spots, an expertly constructed pigtail, and finished with a closed foot. The wrapper is a lovely reddish-brown hued leaf with some slight veins and a nice oily sheen to it. I used a very slight V-Cut.
Pre light bouquet of leather, fresh ground coffee, baking spice and toasted bread.
The first puff after lighting the cigar drew voluminous and billowy clouds of smoke – I love it already. Flavors of cream, toffee, and café con leche hits you immediately, and left a hint of sugarcane sweetness on the tongue. Having been raised in Southeast Asia and spending the majority of my adult life working and living in tropical environments, where icy pressed sugarcane drinks serve as a quenching treat from the heat and humidity, I am really digging this combination of flavors. While I have never tasted the distinct sugarcane sweetness from a cigar before the 262 Nines, it works well here as a balance against the darker chocolate and coffee flavors. The draw and burn have been superb through the 1st third.
The 2nd third begins to transition into more intense flavors of lightly sweetened black coffee, while maintaining the sugarcane sweetness on the finish. While the burn line is slightly wavy, no touch ups were needed. The strength hits me between medium and medium plus.
The last third transitions into more pronounced creaminess, with flavors of cashews, and dark chocolate. The construction has been excellent, and the cigar remains cool with a firm ash, even down to the last 2 inches. While there is some spiciness in the last third, there is no harshness nor nicotine to speak of.
Overall, the transitions while subtle, were complex and distinct enough to make for an interesting 60-minutes of enjoyment. The 262 Nines is an excellent blend, well thought out and one that hits way above its weight. Well priced and box-worthy. This is one where you will want to smoke down to the last inch.
Overall, the transitions while subtle, were complex and distinct enough to make for an interesting 60-minutes of enjoyment. The 262 Nines is an excellent blend, well thought out and one that hits way above its weight. Well priced and box-worthy. This is one where you will want to smoke down to the last inch.
I paired The Nines with unsweetened black French-pressed coffee, but I can imagine it pairing equally well with a Guiness or other dry Irish Stouts, or a full bodied dry red wine such as Malbec, Nebiolo, Cabernet, or Primitivo.
94 of 100
I received nothing in exchange for this unsolicited review, other than a "Thank You." I was motivated to share an enjoyable experience with fellow smokers.
I received nothing in exchange for this unsolicited review, other than a "Thank You." I was motivated to share an enjoyable experience with fellow smokers.