Wildfire B-Sides came to me in the Small Batch Cigar Club and it has long since been a brand that has been on my radar but I’ve yet to try. My interest developed not from the brand per se but from the involved me of Jaclyn “Jax” Sears who has done art and market for the likes of Caldwell, CLE, Room 101, Lost & Found, Mombacho and Drew Estate. One of the nicest and friendliest people I’ve met in the industry she always made me smile when I was in her presence.
According to the website, “Wildfire Cigars serves as a reminder that while it may seem like just a cigar, its significance stretches far beyond. It encapsulates the stories we tell, the moments we share, and the memories we forge—elements that shape us, enduring through time. Wildfire Cigars embodies embracing living life to it’s fullest, and holding onto what truly matters. It acknowledges that while the leaves may burn out, our stories will live on.”
Cigar Review: Wildfire B-Sides
Size: 7 x 48 (Churchill)
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Mexican San Andres
Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli, Jalapa)
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
Release Date: June 2024
Production: Limited (500 Boxes of 10)
Box Size: 10
The Cigar: Ugly. The unevenly colored Habano wrappers has a lot of veins, but due to band placement the ugliest are on the backside of the Churchill sized cigar. The wildfire bands of black and gold reminds me of a pinky ring with the wildfire logo and a secondary band denotes B-Sides. It’s simple but it works for branding purposes. In the hand the cigar is heavy in the hand and well packed.
The Taste: The cold draw is both medicinal and floral at the same time with the flavor reminding me of vicks vapor rub and it isn’t promising at all at this point. Thankfully we have learned over the years that the pre-light draw is often deceiving and one can make an argument that it shouldn’t even be a part of the review. The aroma serves up more floral notes and a touch of anise.
Once the cigar is lit the flavor profile is considerably different than the cold draw and I couldn’t be happier. There are notes of milk chocolate to start along with some marshmallow fluff creating an taste profile. As we move past the first inch some notes of wood begin to join the fray with the occasional floral component. The retrohale provides some subtle nutmeg and black pepper.
As we move into the second third the milk chocolate remains where it is joined by some brown sugar on the palate as well as the aroma of the cigar. Crossing over the halfway point the cigar takes on a note of chocolate covered cherries. Additionally there are notes of orange rind, almonds and a subtle brown sugar. The retrohale adds just enough spice and wood to make things more complex.
In the final third I get a note of gingerbread which I don’t recall ever tasting in a cigar before, the note is fleeting and only lasts for 3-4 puffs before disappearing. As we remove the secondary band some notes of cinnamon remain with a floral component and some wood notes. After we remove the primary band notes of wood and black pepper are dominant as all sweetness has left the building.
Conclusion: There are times the Wildfire B Sides fires on all cylinders and then there are times it reminds me of a JR Alternative (JR Cigars house brand that is supposed to taste like brand X). Thankfully the moments of greatness outway the moments of generic mediocracy. But here in lies the conundrum, how do I score a cigar that sometimes smokes like a 95 and sometimes smokes like an 85. Do I go to the lowest, or do I go to the highest? Should a cigar be scored at its low point or its high point. It’s been forever since I had a one cigar that hit both ends of the spectrum. At the high point this is a cigar worthy of a box, at its low point, a few singles at best.
Score: 90
Price: $15.00
You can buy these from Small Batch Cigar and if you use the coupon code BARRELBURNER you can save 10%. Be sure to let us know your thoughts on the cigar if you do!
