Higher Calling is a limited edition from Avowed Cigars. Based on the Vow 6.29 blend this LE uses higher priming leaves that includes Cotui tobacco from the farms of Monica Kelner in the Dominican Republic.
Exclusively crafted by a single, dedicated pair of rollers Higher Calling is aged for two years and is limited to 450 boxes worldwide
Cigar Review: Avowed Higher Calling
Size: 6 x 50 (Toro)
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Ecuador Habano
Fillers: Dominican Republic (Piloto Cubano, Criollo ’98, Corojo ’99, San Vicente, Cotui)
Factory: Kelner Cigars S.A.S.
Release Date: May 2025
Production: Limited Production (450 Boxes)
Box Size: 10
The Cigar: If you were to ask my opinionated self which seems to piss of a lot of manufactures why Dominican Cigars has lost the lead in the cigar market to Nicaragua I would say appearance before I say taste. I don’t know if its the fermentation production, tobacco classification or a combination of both but Dominican Cigars are ugly. This is the case with Higher Calling with its wrapper being reminiscent of an older person with near translucent skin and veins visible. The green white and gold band is elaborate but lacks branding to make the cigar easily identifiable. In the hand the cigar is firm with a nice weight to it.
The Taste: The cold draw is vegetal and slightly bitter reminded me of broccoli rabe in sense of the bitterness, while there is a subtle earth and molasses looking to get through the bitterness. The aroma from the foot is warm and reminiscent of the factory floor of a cigar manufacture with raw tobacco being the focus point.
Once the cigar is cut and lit this might be one of the smoothest cigars I have ever smoked. There is that classic Dominican barnyard component that the Kelner name made famous once before. The is a subtle dryness of the palate from the San Vicente and Piloto Cubano. Then there is some strength from the Cotui, Criollo’98 and Corojo ’99. It all comes together effortlessly. The tasting notes in additon to barnyard are cream, peantuts and a subtle cinnamon that comes and goes on the palate but is more dominant on the retrohale.
The second third sees the ash still holding on with notes of cedar beginning to emerge. I opt a puff or two in to give the cigar a light tap with the pinky to shed the ash before putting another hole in one of my shirts. The cedar becomes dominant with notes of butter pecan creaminess and a subtle bitterness reminding me of the broccoli rabe on the cold draw. Approaching the halfway point notes of cedar, peanut shells and a general saltiness are the focal point of the cigar and it isn’t as smooth as the start. The retrohale as a touch of graham, sourdough, salt & pepper to round things out.
The final third sees the bitterness give way to a creaminess consisting of subtle caramel, butterscotch, sea salt and peanuts. One we remove the band the cigar leaves the palate a bit dry due to the San Vicente tobacco being dominant so be sure to have a beverage nearby with a subtle floral aroma that carries over to the retrohale where it is joined by a saltiness and some baking spices.
Conclusion: The Small Batch website lists these at 50 ring gauge but in holding it foot to foot with other 50 ring gauges it looks and feels more like a 47 or 48 but that is neither here no there. The cigar which started off as one of the smoothest and most balanced cigars in recent memory lost that sensation by the time we reached the halfway point. While tasty-as-fuck (a technical term) there was a bitterness that might not be for everyone although it was right in my wheelhouse.
For those that miss the golden years of the brand that the name Kelner was once associated with this cigar brings you back with its near perfect use of San Vicente and Piloto Cubano. Its medium in terms of perceived strength and body and definitely its worth picking up a boxes of this white labeled cigars with nuances of gold and some green for good measure.
As far as the score I’m going to break it down in 3rd before giving a weighted final score. The first third was a throwback and scored 97 taking me back to the days of visiting a flagship store on Madison Ave. The second third because a bit more pedestrian with a 90 before turning things back up to a 94.
Score: 92
Price: $20.00 (Before any local or state taxes)
These are available at select tobacconists as well as Small Batch Cigar and with the limited production amount I highly recommend getting them ASAP.
