CigarPursuits: Pursuing the "J.C. Newman - Brick House Classic "

 

About J.C. Newman Brick House

In 1937, Julius Caesar Newman, the founder of the J.C. Newman Cigar Company, introduced the Brick House brand in honor of his family's residence, a brick house located in the Hungarian countryside. This house had the Newman family living on its upper floor and a local tavern on the lower floor.

Originally, the earliest Brick House cigars were crafted using Cuban tobacco. Despite facing a decline in popularity, the brand saw a resurgence in 2009 under the leadership of third-generation owners Eric and Bobby Newman. They made the transition to incorporating Nicaraguan tobaccos into their blends. This effort gained recognition, leading to the cigar being named the Best Bargain Cigar of 2009 by Cigar Aficionado.

CigarPursuits Review

Appearance & Construction: 15/15

For this review, I chose the "Mighty Mighty" shape, measuring 6 1/4" length with a 60 ring gauge. The cigar had a rich, dark brown, and slightly oily wrapper. Both the head and foot were expertly crafted, showing great attention to detail and precision.

Aroma: 15/15

The wrapper introduced some earthy essence of a barnyard and a subtle leather note, while the foot of the cigar emitted the enticing scents of cocoa and coffee. During the cold draw, I got the combination of spice and chocolate, creating an aroma that was both alluring and inviting.

Flavors: 30/35

From the first couple of puffs, I got a slight peppery note accompanied by woody hints. As I continued, these initial sensations transitioned into a delightful fusion of chocolate and roasted coffee flavors. Additionally, there were intermittent traces of subtle leathery notes, introducing an extra dimension of complexity to the overall smoking experience.

Burn & Smoke: 14/15

The cigar's burn was mostly even, though it required a slight touch-up towards the end of the smoke. The ash was firm and white. Drawing on the cigar was a pleasure, offering just the right level of resistance. The smoke produced was voluminous, filling the palate with a rich array of delicious flavors.

Overall Enjoyment: 19/20

My overall enjoyment of the Brick House cigar was exceptional. The combination of its appealing appearance, expert construction, and delightful flavor profile made it a truly satisfying experience. With its medium strength, it doesn't overwhelm you but offers a well-balanced, pleasurable smoke that won't disappoint.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Brick House cigar offers a truly exceptional smoking experience. With its well-crafted appearance, alluring aroma, and rich flavors. Despite a slightly uneven burn that needed a minor touch-up, the overall enjoyment was outstanding.

Taking into account all the aspects we've explored, This cigar got a Score of 93, which categorizes it as "Exceptional" in my guide. I strongly recommend the Brick House cigar to any enthusiast looking for a medium-strength smoke that beautifully combines craftsmanship and flavor for a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Bonus - Perfect Pairing 

A great pairing for the Brick House cigar could be a whiskey with robust and complementary flavors. Considering the rich, chocolatey, and coffee tones in the cigar, a bourbon like Woodford Reserve or Maker's Mark could be an excellent choice. These bourbons offer a smooth sweetness and hints of spice that can complement the cigar's flavor profile, creating a balanced and enjoyable pairing experience.

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