J.C. Newman José Gaspar

📌 Brand: J.C. Newman
📌 Line: José Gaspar
📌 Size: Churchill (7" × 50)
📌 Weight: 19.2 g
📌 Age: 4 years
📌 Origin: Nicaragua

Tasting Notes

• Toasted Cedar – Straightforward, dominant core

• Dry Cocoa – Faint, inconsistent sweetness

• White Pepper – Pops in short bursts

• Paper-Dry Finish – Becomes noticeable after corrections

First Impressions

The José Gaspar presents a clean, no-nonsense look with a matte wrapper and firm bunch. Pre-light aromas offer cedar, dry cocoa, and hay. Cold draw is acceptable but slightly uneven, hinting at airflow inconsistencies.

Smoking Experience

• First Third – Cedar leads with light cocoa and mild pepper. Burn starts slightly off and needs a first touch-up.

• Second Third – Profile stays simple and linear. Smoke thins and a relight becomes necessary to keep it going.

• Final Third – Dry wood and pepper dominate. Another touch-up is required; flavors remain serviceable but never evolve.

Pairings

• Alcohol – Pisco Portón Mosto Verde - Lush grape sweetness and floral lift add dimension and freshness to a cigar that stays dry and linear.

• Tea – Rwanda Rukeri Black Tea - Clean, bright, lightly fruity — chosen to counter dryness and refresh the palate after relights.

Music Pairing

“Skyscraper” – Rival Consoles
Precise, mechanical pulse mirroring the cigar’s straightforward nature.

Final Thoughts

The J.C. Newman José Gaspar 2022 is honest and straightforward but struggles with combustion consistency, requiring relights and touch-ups that interrupt flow. Flavor remains serviceable yet simple and dry, never fully opening up.

Final Score: 6/10
Why not a 10?
Relights, repeated touch-ups, and a linear, dry profile limited balance and complexity.

Only cigars that deliver flawless draw, balance, flavour evolution, construction and satisfaction get a 10.