TX Duo Review - Viaje 10th White Jar

[Çnote]

@Capn_Jackson did you use a dickman? 

I think Jackson and I have already both smoked this.

Starts into ginger biscuits and classy velvet. Lip smacking shortbread. Candied saffon. Lemon creme fraiche. My retro is not having this, but some full spectrum flavors on the palate.

2nd third is about a inch think layer of nutella on a croissant. Turns into tiramisu affagato heaven approaching the band. Nub becomes smores and black coffee bitter, but easily enjoyable. Pretty mild flavors, but richness and intensity, check check check.

Rob asked a few months ago about NC collectables that are like CC. This would be one, but I will say this is an unpredictable one-off from Viaje. I was very reminded of BR109 and Hoyo San Juan with a smooth incredibly rich texture. No twang, but great tobacco well rolled. Your mileage may vary, but if you're going to spend money on cigars, there are old NCs that scratch the itch without going crazy.

Could be the best cigar I have in 2026. Hopefully not, but so far this is probably it.

[Capn_Jackson]

Viaje 10th

Wrapper’s sitting in that candy bar range, medium dark brown with just enough sheen to catch the porch light without looking oily. Not flashy, but good-lookin. Little bit of tooth. Off the wrapper there’s a faint cocoa note, maybe a touch of dry cedar, nothing loud. Foot leans a bit sweeter.

Gave this one a Dickman cut (ouch!). Cold draw gave me a mix of light cocoa powder and something citrus-y, not sharp, more like the suggestion of orange peel than actual zest. Draw was right where you want it on a perfecto… always a small win there.

First light had a bit of brightness to it, citrus came through quicker than I expected, paired with a soft coffee note. That opening minute or two had a little edge, not harsh.

Once it settled in, the first third found a groove pretty quickly. Citrus and cocoa were the main conversation, with some nuttiness underneath, almond, maybe cashew. Strength stayed mild, maybe creeping just over, which honestly matched the flavor profile well. Smoke output was solid without being heavy, and the texture leaned slightly on the dry side at first, not in a bad way… like a powdery cocoa finish.

Sitting out back, weather couldn’t have been better. Bugs were around but behaving themselves. Somewhere down the lane a leaf blower was doing its thing, steady drone, kind of fades into the background after a while. Bubbly water in hand, working nicely with that citrus note.

Second third is where it started to round out. The citrus softened a bit, less bright, more integrated. Coffee picked up some body, less “morning brew,” more of a darker roast feel. Nuttiness became more sure-footed, giving it a bit more structure, and there was a really nice buttered rye note that started to show up. Mouthfeel improved here…there was a creaminess starting to build that wasn’t there early on.

Right around the halfway mark, strength nudged up just a touch, still firmly in the mild to medium range, but enough to notice. The cocoa deepened slightly, edging toward a darker chocolate, and the citrus hung around in the background instead of leading. Things are altogether pretty mild so far, but that's a nice thing on a beautiful day like this.

Burn was mostly a non issue, especially considering the shape. I typically have trouble with perfectos in that regard, but not today. Needed a small touch up once early on, but nothing worth complaining about.

Heading into the last act, things stayed pretty consistent, which I didn’t mind. Cocoa, coffee, and nuts held steady, with that citrus still flickering in and out. Maybe a slight darkening overall, if the first third was milk chocolate, this was closer to semi-sweet. No harshness, no bitterness creeping in, just a clean finish.

Didn’t really feel the need to push it all the way to a nub, but it stayed cool and composed right up until I put it down.

Overall, this one just works. Not trying to be a powerhouse, not trying to reinvent anything, just a well-balanced, easygoing smoke with enough nuance to keep you interested.

Appreciate @Çnote sending this one my way. Always generous!

Very nice smoke, on the milder side, but still with notes of citrus, cocoa, coffee, and nuts. Came together in a really satisfying, easygoing way that just fit the moment perfectly. One of those you don’t overthink, just enjoy the ride. 90-91 from me.

[Capn_Jackson]

On 3/8/2026 at 1:59 AM, Çnote said:

@Capn_Jackson did you use a dickman? 

Why yes I did!! 😎