Pistoff Kristoff Gunplay Privada Exclusive Aged 4+ Years

Pistoff Kristoff Gunplay Privada Exclusive Aged 4+ Years

• Size: 7 1/2 x 40
• Strength: Medium-Full

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Indonesia
Fillers: Nicaragua

BANG! BANG! This is an alert. This cigar is like smoking the best spicy orange chicken from a greasy Chinese food restaurant. I know!! About 2 years ago, Kristoff released this cigar in a variety of sizes. One of those sizes got a very high rating on some review sites. I never smoked it, but I could tell based on the reviews that there was something to this cigar. The smallest ring gauge at the time was a 44. It also seemed that the smaller the ring gauge, the higher the review scores kept going. So I called in a favor. Make it for the club in a LANCERO. They actually said, “that could be dangerous.” I replied, “that’s a risk I’m willing to take.” Hence the nickname GUNPLAY. Only Privada members will have this cigar. It is possibly my favorite cigar of the year thus far. It uses a blend of San Andres wrapper from Mexico, a binder from Indonesia, and fillers from Nicaragua. 9 months to a year ago they arrived. We smoked them and hated them. What a mistake, I thought. Now after 9 months of rest, we smoked it again last night and were blown away. Sometimes a cigar just needs a little rest. PLEASE shout out Kristoff on social media for doing us this solid!

Tasting Notes: Faint barnyard and sweet hay on the body. Faint florals on the foot. The cold draw is bready, cereal grain-like with minerals and red pepper. The first third is dark toasted bread crust, red pepper, minerals, and dried dark fruits like prune. Ok! Bread, charcoal, red pepper, salt, and fresh basil enter further down. Around the end of the first third, I get the mustiness of dried fig, the sweetness of red currant or Craisins, mineral/salt, and the bread stays upfront. The second third, I start to see black cherry soda flavors, beef jerky teriyaki, and salt. Wow. Maple wood ensues along with floral powdery puffs of smoke. It’s syrupy, sweet, spicy, and just perfect. Then it hits me. This reminds me of a zesty and spicy orange chicken from your favorite Chinese place, fresh out of the frying wok. SAVORY. I truly cannot believe how amazing this thing is. In the final third, I get soy sauce, black cherry, orange chicken, fried batter, red pepper oil, bread, salt, charred wood, and at the very end a bit of earthy clay, to boot. The spice lingers. What a dream!

Pairing Notes: Chinese orange chicken. Chinese food. Rye Bourbon. Lowland Scotch. Helles Beer. Root beer will change the flavor of this cigar. Bourbon. Try eating Craisins an hour earlier. Spicy foods beforehand. Orange jam on dark toast. Caramel cream candies. Sunkist orange jelly candy.