The Paper Crane is the newest Limited Edition release from Oveja Negra Brands’ Black Works Studio portfolio. This cigar features the unique Desflorado wrapper leaf - a leaf owner James Brown has admired. I am always happy to try Connecticut Shade cigars blended by James, as they always seem to hit my palate well. Available in a 6 x 48 Toro and a 5 x 46 Corona, this review will be of the latter.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Fabrica Oveja Negra
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Desflorado
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragu
Vitola: 5 x 46 Corona
Price: $11.00 MSRP
Link to Purchase: The Cigar Farm (Use code “WW10” to save 10%!)
This boxed pressed cigar is firmly packed, but fairly light. As always with Black Works, I love the packaging. The wrapper is golden brown and pretty clean. The cigar smells like a sweet pastry. The cold draw is quite faint. First light brings about full bodied smoke with medium-full flavors of black pepper, wood, and earth. The retrohale has sweet pepper and a bit of cream. About a half inch in there is a sweetness joining the draw flavors that put me in mind of maybe something like a Werthers Original? It’s creaming and has a subtly sweet caramel or butterscotch note. Through the first third the profile has remained consistent. Halfway the draw is primarily earth and baking spices with some of that subtle Werthers note. The retrohale has added a touch of dried fruit. Entering the final third some nuttiness, specifically walnut, is appearing. Coming to an end at just over an hour the profile remained consistent through the end. Performance was also quite good throughout.
Overall Experience
Overall this was another solid Connecticut from Oveja Negra/Black Label Trading Company/Black Works Studio. Personally I will say that I found the Toro a bit more geared towards my palate. However this Corona I think would hit the mark for someone that typically prefers the bolder, earthier, more robust flavors of a Habano wrapped Nicaraguan cigar. If you prefer creamier, softer Connecticut profiles, I would pass this size up to grab the Toro.
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