TX Duo Review - Viaje SS 10g (2026)

[Çnote]

@@Capn_Jackson's insistence after the pretty amazing aged example.

I did not take a picture, boring anyway.

Nicotine bomb doesn't begin to decribe thus. I nearly passed out. Jackson almost started CPR.

I woke up from the coma whispering 'Candied Tobacco.' It is what it is. 

I have been told that the early releases of SS were rolled at the end of a factory cycle before winter holiday and shipped immediately for early spring. This might be true with this release as well. If were to guess at flavors presenting in something just weeks old this would be it: rich fresh herbacious tobacco with some hot honey / candy floss to keep it from searing with fresh flavors. Surprisingly no ammonia harshness, but for sheer nicotine, I've never had anything like it.

Educational not exactly enjoyable, but I look forward to trying these again in a couple years. In the past I've felt these have been great at the 3-5 year mark more than the 6 month mark, but I hadn't had one just a couple weeks rest after distribution.

So it's fun. Thanks for making me smoke this, Jackson!

[Hoosh]

Nicotine bomb?! This is encouraging! I cannot wait to try - wanted to give them a few days in the humidor before lighting one up.

[Capn_Jackson]

I forgot to take any pictures of this one. @Çnotehad his a week or so ago, but I’m just now tackling it. The nicotine nearly put him to sleep right there in the lounge, so I waited until I had the chance to smoke before bed.

Light-up is like a double chocolate chunk cookie with paprika all over it. Spice, cocoa, and yeah…. strength. I immediately regret that this cigar is not at least 10 years old. Going on there is some nuttiness, a little bit of cream, and some dried very dark fruits in the background. Huckleberry maybe, I’m not sure.

The second half calms down some, but not much. Some very dark cane sugar in the background, molasses almost. Figgy cake, rye toast, a tiny bit of sweet corn around the edges. Leather bomb at the nub. I could easily fall asleep now. Definitely not a morning cigar. Not altogether unenjoyable, but the next time I smoke one of these, I will try to make sure it’s 10, 11, maybe 15 years old.

[Çnote]

We smoked the same cigar and lived

[Hoosh]

When the OG review of this cigar was posted, I knew I wanted to locate the cigar for two reasons…one, the indication this smoke was a nicotine bomb tickled my fancy right away, and two, in my experience, despite talking the talk, most “advertised” strong cigars simply aren’t (Viaje included here - S&B and the various MoAB are all, IMO, vastly overhyped in the strength category). Located. Purchased. Smoked three of five. Short version: pretty strong, very tasty, not long enough of a cigar.

This cigar was created for the sole intended purpose of giving Andre Farkas a small, quick(er), bolder smoke while sport clay shooting. It wasn’t created to be a sit-around-the-fire-and-enjoy-with-some-friends-drinking-Pinot-Grigio-discussing-book-club-selections cigar. It is named after a shotgun shell, not a box of chocolates, and since “knowing” is half the battle, expectations should be in accordance.

 

This cigar measures 3 1/2x54, so not a perceived long smoke. With a closed foot, this is a rather beautiful cigar. What is interesting here is that this isn’t an Aganorsa created Viaje cigar, as most are. 

For reference, I smoked this first thing, no breakfast, and black coffee. Bring it on! From the first light, There is powerful spice, some cinnamon, and very nutty to my palate. It is intense, and right away, you can tell it starts out as a high, medium strength cigar, almost full. Into the first third, and until halfway, though, it settles down, and is squarely a medium strength cigar to me. Very earthy in flavor, some saltiness in there, and leathery. It was very a mouth drying cigar over the three smokes.

Towards the end, as short as it was, this did move in to the full strength category. I was reminded of the 94+ Padrón I smoked not long ago that finally hit me like a large number of folks find Padrón cigars to “be;” tasty, yet coming with a big power that sneaks up on you. Nice - another cigar to add to the full strength category!

After smoking the second one, I went back to the place I had purchased them, to purchase more, but they were sold out. My fault for not buying more when I did. I would be all for Viaje making one of these cigars in a 6 x 50 or 52 vitola; a much longer smoke of this caliber is needed, as the actual number of real, full strength cigars is limited.

As noted elsewhere, this is not a cigar for those that are used to smoking much lower nicotine cigars. No judgments, just a warning. If you do, bring something sickly sweet to help you out. 🙂