Tradecraft was started by Robert and Gary Blumenthal, who have been in the cigar industry for decades. Between owning a cigar lounge franchise, to blending and making cigars, they are deeply rooted in the cigar culture. Their latest venture, Tradecraft, honors the tradition of tobacco, while innovating new blends with boutique cigar manufacturers. This is the review of one of their newest cigars, the Gladius. Read the review, and consider adding it to your humidor.
The Gladius has a very regal appearance. The band features a color scheme of blue and bronze, with bronze detailing over a blue background. The band features leaves surrounding a broad sword, with the word "Gladius" underneath. The cigar itself is a medium-dark brown, and features very little veins or seems. The wrapper is a bit toothy. The cigar is constructed as a regular parejo.
The Gladius is constructed with a variety of tobaccos. The Fillers are Pennsylvania Broadleaf, Ecuadorian Puntiao, and Ecuadorian Corojo. The Binder is Ecuadorian Sumatra, and the Wrapper is Mexican San Andres Maduro. The draw on this cigar is impeccable, providing an easy smoke. Once it's lit, the cigar has a great smoke output, giving a nice surrounding aroma. The ash is as close to white as you can get, and the burn line is even and consistent throughout the smoke. The ash falls cleanly at around the inch and a half mark, with no flaking from the foot.
The flavor profile of the Gladius is complex, but the notes compliment each other well. The cold draw may provide notes of dried fruit and honey, while the first light may have smooth notes of earth, milk chocolate, and caramel.
The first third of the cigar may have front notes of earth and white pepper. These may be accompanied by notes of milk chocolate, cedar and toast. There are also hints of
roasted coffee and pecans, with a subtle note of dry hay. The retrohale of the first third may have notes of black pepper, toast, and coffee.
The second third of the cigar may have front notes of earth and milk chocolate, with the notes of white pepper moving to the background. There may also be notes of caramel, toast, and roasted coffee, with a lingering nougat flavor. There is also a subtle hint of fig, which helps to even out the flavor profile. The retrohale of the second third may have notes of black pepper, coffee, and milk chocolate, giving the aroma of a bakery.
The final third of the cigar may have front notes of earth and milk chocolate, with the notes of roasted coffee becoming more prominent. Undertones of white pepper and cedar still remain in play. Hints of dry hay and pecan come back to the palate, along with a very subtle note of ginger, giving the final third a bit more complexity. The retrohale of the final third may have notes of black pepper, coffee, and cedar.
The Gladius is priced well, with a single cigar going for around $15.00, and a box of 12 going for around $180.04. While the price is competitive in today's market, it's well worth the price. This cigar is a bit strong for the newer cigar smoker, but an experienced smoker will enjoy the complex flavor, the easy construction, and the strength.
GC Rating: 90
Thanks to the Wooden Indian Tobacco Shop for sponsoring this review of the Tradecraft Gladius Toro. If you would like to try the Gladius, or anything else from the Tradecraft catalog, visit woodenindiantobacco.com, and use the coupon code for 10% off your order, plus free shipping.
