Habano wrapper · Full
Protocol Blue: flavour profile and cigars like it
Protocol Blue is a handmade cigar made in Nicaragua. Its published strength is full. It has a Oscuro Habano wrapper grown in Ecuador and filler from Nicaragua. The tasting notes in our sources point to cedar, earth, pepper, cocoa and fruit.
If you like it, the closest matches in the palate test are Crux Bull & Bear and La Palina Silver Label.
What does Protocol Blue taste like?
- cedar and wood
- earth and leather
- pepper and spice
- cocoa and coffee
- fruit and floral
How strong is it, and what's in it?
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan Habano |
| Filler | Nicaraguan, including four ligero leaves from Estelí and Jalapa. |
| Strength | Full as published by neptunecigar.com |
| Body | Full-bodied |
| Made in | Nicaragua |
| Made by | Cubariqueño Cigar Company; La Zona, Estelí; Erik Espinosa is credited with production leadership; blending attribution remains unclear |
| Factory | La Zona, Estelí, Nicaragua |
| Sizes | Corona Gorda 5.6×46 · Toro 6×52 · Lancero 7.5×38 · Gordo 6×60 |
Strength here means nicotine, which mostly comes from the filler. Wrapper colour is not a strength guide.
What reviewers say
- cigar-coop.com, Gordo, 6 × 60 (2022)In our words: The review found earth, pepper, citrus, cedar, and chocolate. Burn required touch-ups.
Scores as published by the magazine or retailer, for the size named. Notes are our summary of the review, not quotes. We don't score cigars ourselves.
About Protocol Blue
The line. Blue was Protocol's inaugural blend. It launched nationally at IPCPR in 2015. cigora.com
The brand. Protocol began with NYPD officers Juan Cancel and Bill Ives. The inaugural blend launched nationally in 2015. cigora.com
Cigars like Protocol Blue
- Crux Bull & BearClosest matchHabano wrapper · Medium to fullSame Habano wrapper family, also made in Nicaragua, a step milder.
- La Palina Silver LabelAlso fitsHabano wrapper · FullSame Habano wrapper family, more natural sweetness, less fruit and floral, about the same strength.
- Espinosa Laranja Reserva EscuroAlso fitsBrazilian wrapper · FullAlso made in Nicaragua, less fruit and floral, about the same strength.
- Warped CortoAlso fitsCorojo wrapper · FullAlso made in Nicaragua, less fruit and floral, about the same strength.
- Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Triqui TracaOne step furtherBroadleaf wrapper · FullAlso made in Nicaragua, more cream and nuts, less fruit and floral, about the same strength.
Picked by the palate test's own engine, as if you named Protocol Blue as a favourite: never more than one strength step above it, plain tobacco only, one cigar per brand.