Paul Stulac Red Screaming Sun is new to me thanks to the Small Batch Cigar Club. The name Paul Stulac is known to me, but I never really know any backstory.
Paul Stulac hails from our 51st state, Canada. Specifically, Halifax in Nova Scotia where he has a shop. According to the brand website, “Paul Stulac Cigars are hand-rolled in Nicaragua at Las Villas Cigars under the care of master blender Guillermo Pena. They use the highest grade long filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and around the world. The Paul Stulac line of cigars are prized for impeccable construction and complex flavors that will appeal to the most discerning cigar smoker.”
Available in four sizes; Robusto (5 x 54), Torpedo (6 x 54), Red Lancero (7 x 38) and today’s review, Toro (6 x 52)
Cigar Review: Paul Stulac Red Screaming Sun
Size: 6 x 52 (Toro)
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Mexican San Andres
Filler: Nicaragua (Viso, Ligero)
Factory: Las Villas Cigar Factory
Original Release Date: November 2014
Production: Regular
Box Size: 25
The Cigar: Featuring a rustic looking Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper the cigar has some various coloring shades giving it a brindle effect. The red and gold band has a medieval feel to it and features the words regallo de dios which translates to Gift from God. The band side of the band has the brand name of Red Screaming Sun which is an unusual placement. In the hand the cigar is slightly coarse line fine sand paper though it does feel a bit brittle and is well packed with an average weight.
The Taste: I could smell the raspberry from the Paul Stulac Red Screaming Sun while it was sitting on my laptop as I did some pre-review work. At first I thought it was a nearby flower but is the cigar. While it does not come off as flavored in any sense of the imagination there is an abundance of raspberry on the cold draw with a touch of black cherry. Meanwhile the foot sees a touch of raisin and figs with a subtle amount of earth.
Once the cigar is toasted and lit some of that sweetness holds on for a bit before sliding into the background. As we smoke into the first third notes of espresso begin to take hold especially on the retrohale before a tease of some figs emerge before succumbing to an earthy note. As the first third comes to a close some raspberry notes remerge with a touch of charred wood.
The second third sees notes of dark chocolate and espresso serving as the dominant flavor profile. There is some hazelnut as well and a continued charred wood. I did deal with some construction issues where I needed to touch up the cigar twice as the burn was off by close to an half-inch which is my threshold for breaking out the lighter to correct.
The final third sees notes of cedar, espresso and hazelnut with an abundance of dark chocolate on the finish that lingers to perfection. The retrohale sees some added fudge and a touch of black pepper. Just before we put the cigar down some notes of raspberry return which makes me hold on to the cigar for a bit longer before I finally put it down when it becomes overly earthy.
Conclusion: While a lot of the notes served up are familiar considering the wrapper the cigar is blended to perfections with a lot of flavor and a wonderful aroma. The cigar is incredibly complex but familiar at the same time delivering a classic experience that embodies what I look for in terms of a cigar. In fact I am surprised that the brand doesn’t do better than it does and perhaps the company should consider a marketing program and sales force to get the word out better than it has. This is worthy of a box purchase in my eyes without any second guessing.
Score: 94
Price: $10.50 (Before any local or state taxes)
You can find Paul Stulac Red Screaming Sun at Small Batch Cigar and if you use the coupon code BARRELBURNER you can save 10% off your order.
