#NowSmoking: Dissident Bloc Robusto

#NowSmoking: Dissident Bloc Cigar Review (Video)

Dissident Bloc – Cigar Details:

Factory: Fabrica Oveja Negra, Esteli Nicaragua
Size: (5⅝”x 46) Robusto
Strength: Medium – Full
Wrapper: Ecuador Maduro
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Nicaragua and Dominican Republic

Presented in boxes of 20

Dissident Bloc Backstory

While Dissident isn’t necessarily a new brand on the block, a recent change in ownership is bringing fresh ideas and new energy to the blossoming boutique label.

Dissident Bloc is crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at Fabrica Oveja Negra. If that name rings a bell, it’s the cigar factory mainly known for its boutique attitude and producing Black Label Trading Company’s lineup.

Dissident’s punk rock attitude and alternative ethos remains front and center, as Bloc’s features graffiti/street style artwork and a stark black, red, and white color scheme. The box-pressed blend comes dressed in an Ecuador Maduro wrapper over an Ecuador binder and long fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

Now, let’s find out what the Dissident Bloc Robusto has in store in its opening act.

Cigar Basics:

Construction: Wrapper was chocolate brown, with an expertly applied triple cap.
Cold Draw: Black pepper.
Base flavors: Pepper, leather, oak, dark chocolate.
Aroma: Sweet.
Burn & Ash: No issues.

Dissident Bloc Review – Part 1

The Dissident Bloc Robusto is a bit slimmer than your run-of-the-mill Robusto, sporting a slender 46 ring gauge. Once lit, Bloc comes out firing with a heaping helping of black pepper—the kind that wakes you up. Like pleasant smelling salts. Now that I’m paying full attention, I notice the copious volumes of smoke that accompany even the faintest of pulls. After about an inch, the black pepper recedes while notes of earth, hazelnuts, and dark chocolate enter the mosh pit and make their presence known.

The Dissident Bloc begins medium in body and strength while the flavors work in harmony while making me really sit up and take notice.

Let’s see how it plays out in the second act.

Dissident Bloc Review – Part 2

Into the second third of the Dissident Bloc Robusto and notes of leather, charred oak, and cinnamon join the earth, hazelnut, and dark chocolate to provide a full spectrum of flavors. The black pepper remains in the background and a bittersweetness—that I feel compares to that of a West Coast I.P.A. (for you beer drinkers out there)—darts in and out.

No complaints regarding construction and the strength and body are definitely medium-full and building.

Let’s see how it wraps up in the conclusion.

Dissident Bloc Review – Part 3

 The last third of the Dissident Bloc finds most of the pepper and spice a faint memory. The other flavors in the profile keep pumping out the hits while a new(er) citrus note comes out to play. It’s entirely possible that this citrus—like grapefruit—is the evolution of the IPA-like bittersweetness I noted in the second third.

I had no issues with construction and the Bloc held a firm ash of about 1½ – 2 inches. Body and strength teeter between medium-full and full and the overall depth and richness of this blend was impressive.

What beverage pairs well with Dissident Bloc cigars?

Think a smoky scotch—either single malt or blended. Since I have pedestrian tastes, I went with my old standby Johnnie Walker Black Label. I’m sure Laphroaig or Lagavulin would be enjoyable as well. Try a healthy pour either neat or on the rocks with the Dissident Bloc.

For non-alcoholic options old standbys like coffee, Dr. Pepper, or water certainly pair nicely.

For additional pairing combinations, check out our Cigar & Spirit pairing guide.

Are Dissident Bloc cigars worth smoking?

Don’t let the ‘in your face’ branding dissuade if you tend to favor more traditional brands like Partagas or Arturo Fuente. Dissident Bloc is an enjoyable cigar that’s rich, potent, and accessible to any enthusiast who is looking for complexity with an artisanal touch in a medium to full-bodied blend.