BACKGROUND: George Rico first created the Zulu Zulu lines as his own private blend. Later, as part of his initiative to help raise awareness around the world about child soldiers, he released these cigars to the public on an extremely limited scale.

The Zulu Zulu is handcrafted in Honduras and is part of the Gran Habano STK line. It is available in two formats, both boasting ultra-premium tobaccos. The first choice is the Zulu Zulu Connecticut that comes dressed in a silky Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. The other is the Zulu Zulu Habano, which comes draped in a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper, which covers a Nicaraguan binder and a long-filler core of Nicaraguan tobaccos.

Each box features a unique image by Miami artist, known simply as, “kid”.

TASTING NOTES: From the first puff the Zulu Zulu Lancero was generally spicy, nutty and had some cedar wood notes that left my palate a bit dry. The retrohale was warm and nutty with a creamy smooth texture. The flavors were a bit tame overall, but with such a long cigar I was in no rush because I knew there was plenty that the cigar could still bring forward.

When a 40 ring and 7.5-inch cigar is burning impeccably from the very first puff, you know you have a well constructed cigar. The draw and burn were stellar and the light gray ash was firm and pellet-like when I dropped it in my ashtray. So, during the first half, the Zulu Zulu was very impressive in performance.

FINAL THOUGHTS: During the second half the cigar displayed much the same flavor profile as the first half, except that I noted the flavor of fresh walnuts that left a slight bitterness on the aftertaste. However, that bitterness on the palate was counter balanced by the nutty sweetness on the retrohale, which led to a bittersweet finish and provided a yin yang character to the flavor profile.

The draw and burn were right on the money, right down to the nub. In so many ways, this was an exemplary stick. And, I have high hopes that the Zulu Zulu Habano will continue to age gracefully. This stick still has plenty of gas left in the tank and I can see it performing very well over the next couple of years.

Final verdict: Buy and enjoy and keep some around for extended aging.

~Doc