Black Label Trading Black Works Studio Rorschacn Petite Panatela

Black Works Studio Rorschach Petite Panatela is a 5 X 38 small batch release with Nicaraguan filler and binder and covered in a toothy dark brown Ecuador Habano wrapper with raised tiny veins. Of course, the band is a black and silver Rorschach test. This is my second foray into Black Works Studio having smoked the Killer Bee last summer and found that cigar enjoyable. Let’s see what the ink blots tell us with the Rorschach.

Flavors: oak, spice that reminds me Thai food dialed up to 4 (some heat but not over the top), some pepper, almonds/mixed nuts, fresh brewed coffee, cocoa, cream, hints of tea, cirtrus, cinnamon, herbal notes, and earthy leather. I’m also tasting grain, cereal – like Wheaties. During the final third the earthy leather takes on a mossy wet forest aroma – short and fleeting reminding me of a redwood grove after a rain in California along with cedar and hickory. Given the California rain description maybe it’s pine.

The Rorschach is medium-bodied with flavors and complexity that defy its petite panatela size. I didn’t expect this flavor bomb from such a small cigar. James and Angela Brown created a nice cigar for Black Label Trading/Black Works Studio. I’m not sure how long the tobacco was aged, but it did add a well-aged tobacco flavor to the blend. The retrohale is oaky and spicy with some heat to the spices beyond pepper. It will sting your nostrils – initially. A sour note with a citrus aroma is part of the retrohale midway through calming down the spice/pepper down a lot. Is there such a thing as smooth mellow pepper?

The construction is excellent – open draw, even burn line, awesome smoke production, and firm light and dark grey ash. The only flaw I spotted was a tiny toothpick size hole in the middle of the wrapper that did nothing to impede the enjoyment of the smoke. No points deducted.

Black Works Studio Rorschach Petite Panatela was a very pleasant surprise. I’m left in awe of how much flavor, nuance, balance and complexity Black Label Trading packed into this little stick. I am impressed.

Join The Lounge