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Initial Smoke

Light-up is as pure as the unsullied heart of a friendly house cat. It just wants to hang around and relax in the sunny warmth of the day, and be appreciated for what it is, and that is a fluffy companion. No sharp claws or spicy attitude. Just a chill blend of rooibos tea with sweet cream, and a macadamia and almond mix that is just as nutty as it is milky in its own special way. What a splendid way to start off a medium-strength cigar.

1st Half

Still not spicy at all, but most definitely spiced in a tea-like sense, the first unfurls in a cloud of creamy smoke, compliments of a draw that is bordering on being too open-ended. That Sumatran binder has caught its rhythm, and between all of those milky, toasted tree nut tastes comes a winning retrohale aromatic of herbal island spices, light leather tannins, and robust black tea. This brings a certain grade of bitterness to the blend that counteracts all of the sweeter, creamier top notes, settling on a medium amount of body and flavor, with strength being far behind.

Sumatran funk does take a quick spin around the block in the second third, but thanks to the refined qualities of that wrapper, it remains fully in check. A tightrope between dry and sweet is walked, where on one side there is chalky soil, fermented tea leaves, and dark, chewy, nutty notes. Whereas on the other end, it's all spiced tea cake, turbinado sugar, sticky cedar, and a thick blanket of cream. Retrohales are where the majority of the action takes place, with a large amount of what is being tasted translating into a more refined, silkier experience. 

2nd Half

Although there isn't much to report in the latter half of the second third, save for a slight bump in body and some stronger nutty Cameroon tobacco tastes, the consistent delivery of flavor delivery is exemplary. Aromatics are also sublime, with the scent of the smoke in the air being equal parts spiced and sultry. 

Come the final third, and the blend builds out a bolder interpretation of all that has transpired prior, and the herbal tea notes really take over. The texture of the smoke is chalkier here, and a touch spicier, with mouthwatering spiced dark fruit scents turning each exhale into a far juicier affair. Each finish seems to grow slightly longer and sweeter further down, and before long, that roasted nut top note turns the closure to the final third into a creamier occurrence.

Parting Puffs

Rooibos tea tastes return in a big way in parting puffs, so be sure to keep puffing once you move past that ornate primary band. But it's not all tannins and tea, for there is a floral final flourish to be found here, and it smells just as good as it tastes. Spicier in small amounts, and definitely cedar-strong, the last few puffs gradually grow bitter as the Sumatran binder unloads an oily end to what has for the most part been a drier smoking encounter. 

Ash / Burn / Smoke / Draw

Ash flakes and the random drop are definitely something to watch for with this smoke. You also need to smoke slowly to prevent the blend from overheating, which results in some seriously strong, bitter tea tastes and one hell of a burning sensation in the hand. Even when smoked at a snail's pace, this cigar does grow increasingly hot once the final third is reached, so routinely setting the stick down is a must with this blend. I also find that combustion rates remain rapid, even when puffs are properly timed, with a burn time of just under an hour being the norm for the robusto vitola I reviewed. 

But the ash itself tends to build nicely each time, and never have I felt the need for a torch to correct the burn on any of the sticks I have smoked. In fact, the carbon ring on these cigars tends to be near-perfect more times than not, which earns some sizable recovery points for the blend. 

Final Thoughts

Consistently constructed and incredibly clean, with just the right amount of fermented Sumatran funk to keep things complex, there is very little to gripe about when smoking Long Live the Queen in natural Cameroon form. It's just the right midway point between those traditional, creamy, nut-like Cameroon tobacco tastes and textures, and the far more tea-heavy, spice-forward flavors of Indonesian leaf.

Sitting on the lighter side of medium for much of the time, with prominent aromatics and a harmonious retrohale elevating the senses, both smoke texture and flavor feel right at home next to all of those polished scents. A regal cigar that is mild enough to keep new stogie smokers searching for new tasting notes, but still complex to the point where habitual cigar collectors will never feel bored. 

Now, I must say that for all of their visual appeal, the bands on this cigar are an absolute bitch to remove, with several removal attempts on sample sticks resulting in a cracked wrapper. The slim secondary white band is particularly challenging to remove, with the combination of a low profile, too much glue, and the lack of a pull tab causing the most frustration. On my review cigar, the over-gluing issue was most evident, as areas of the wrapper beneath the band were coated in the sticky stuff. 

I also felt like there were sections of the second and final third that could have benefited from a bit more flavor intensity, or perhaps a slight transition or two to add to the overall magnitude of the blend. Overheating and a rapid burn rate were also issues every time I have smoked this one, which definitely docks points from the cigar's overall score.

Yet even then, there is so much enjoyment to be found within Long Live the Queen that it still manages an impressive rating, securing it a spot as one of the best Cameroon-wrapped cigars we stock. So, ya'll go get your fancy garb on, because tobacco royalty awaits...

Overall Balance & Repeatability