Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the Protocol Paddy Wagon is dark brown, with a fine tooth and some raised, knotty veins. The seams are raised a fair amount while the head is well finished with a small twisted off stump. The band is black and tan and has the line name and a picture of a Paddy Wagon. The aroma from the wrapper is dark chocolate and light wood while the foot brings an even mix of wood and dark chocolate. The pre-light draw brings a light and airy cedar along with a mild spiciness on my lips.

First Third

The cigar begins with wood, dark earth and baking spice. At a half inch in, the baking spice has mellowed a bit. The retrohale brings wood and toasted earth. At an inch and a quarter, the wood and dark earth remain even up front with baking spice in the background. The strength in this third was slightly below medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the baking spice is quite mellow and the dark earth is showing a very long finish. The retrohale remains wood and toasted earth. At an inch in, the baking spice has transitioned to a mild, dull black pepper with a long finish. As the third comes to a close, the wood has gained a char note as the dark earth remains even with it and the dull black pepper remains in the background. The strength in this third bumped up to medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the charred wood becomes quite dry and stale. The retrohale remains wood and toasted earth. The cigar wraps up with the even mix of stale, charred wood and dark earth with dull black pepper in the background. The strength in this third bumped up to slightly above medium.

Burn

The burn line was pretty straight throughout, but the cigar did go out twice, requiring re-lights.

Draw

The draw was slightly tighter than I prefer, but didn’t cause any issues with the smoking experience.

Overall

The flavor profile was pretty basic as it was focused around wood, dark earth and baking spice that later transitioned to dull black pepper. The final third dropped down a level as some char joined the wood. Overall, I felt like the Protocol Paddy Wagon performed similarly to the other store exclusives from the brand. Just a basic flavor profile that wasn’t all that interesting and doesn’t match the level of most of the core lines. Not something I see myself returning to.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.05

Cost/Point

$1.88

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Protocol Paddy Wagon