Exploring the Inka Secret Blend Peruvian Puro

Exploring the Inka Secret Blend Peruvian Puro
 

A Unique Cigar Making Waves in the United Kingdom will Launch in the United States in 2013

It's dark and shrouded in mystery. It's a thick, heavy robusto. And it smokes like an absolute dream. This is a new prototype cigar, and it will add to a unique brand portfolio which has taken the United Kingdom by storm this year.

But UK cigar fans aren't having it all their own way - in 2013, Inka Secret Blend is launching in the United States. The new robusto I'm smoking with creator, Mitchell Orchant of London Cigar Merchants C.Gars Ltd, will lead the charge across the pond.

"I've been absolutely flabbergasted by the success, to be totally honest," Orchant tells me. "I never dreamed it would sell this well." He chuckles to himself, and when pushed further, admits that he decided to commission the range of Peruvian puros "for fun."

"As far as I know, there isn't another 100% Peruvian cigar out there. And I thought, 'why not, let's see how bad it can be!' And the first samples I got through smoked really cool and smooth and I realized that I'd stumbled onto something."

Made by Gennaro Lettieri of Tabacalera del Oriente SAC at his factory in Tarapoto, Peru, the handmade Inka Secret Blend includes long filler and medium filler in a variety of - for the UK at least - quirky sizes.

In a market dominated by bias towards the Cuban cigar, "New World" cigars are sometimes not treated with the respect they deserve. And with vitolas like small box-pressed figurados and short, fat, 60 ring gauge smokes, one could almost be forgiven for dismissing the Inka Secret Blend as gimmicky. Believe me, they are not.

"The proof of the pudding is always in the eating," continues Orchant. "Look at this." He hands me over his Blackberry - which buzzes or dings every few seconds while we talk, he can't bear to miss an email or sale - and points out those messages with Inka Secret Blend sales. "It's virtually every other order," he says, still amazed. And it is.

The blend's success is also down to its attractive pricing. Bundles or boxes of 10 are available at less than £5 (about $8) a stick - and when your average Cuban robusto sets you back more like £13 (about $20), that's an attractive proposition.

"People have given them a try and came running back for more - so much so that we had a growing waiting list for our next shipment and we're already just about sold out of that."

Launching in the US market is unheard of for a British-based cigar; more often than not, US cigar manufaturers bring their well-known product over to these shores. Inka will be rolled out across the US during 2013.

"Obviously it's a whole new ballgame over there, but American cigar smokers are not stuffy and they love to try new blends and sizes," concludes Orchant. "Once word gets around, I think they [Americans] will take to Inka. It's really exciting to see this brand spread its wings and fly."

With Orchant I sample the Inka Secret Blend with coffee, and even an Islay malt whisky. I figured that the whisky would overpower the relatively mild blend, but suprisingly it didn't. Stalla Dhu Islay is around 8 years old and yet another secret. Its makers aren't allowed to mention where the original cask comes from, but it's very rounded, very smooth and ever so slightly sweet and salty. It melds nicely with the second Inka robusto I immediately light up after the first one is finished.

Later, back at home and still wanting to sample more, I pair the Inka Blend with iced tea and plain old water. The astringency of the Iced Tea sweeps the palate clean nicely, allowing the blend to reveal itself.

The original Inka blend tastes quite unique - unlike anything else I've tasted. It has a clear, clean tang to it and the draw and construction are immaculate. But this new sample I'm smoking - the US prototype if you will - takes the brand to a whole new level.

It is no more than mild to medium in body and is a fairly linear smoke, but it is quiet satisfying. It gives the impression of great reliability and at what will surely be an attractive price, could easily become a daily go-to. It works really well in robusto size, heavily built and packed with tobacco. US cigar smokers are in for a considerable treat this summer.

Nick Hammond
- Cigar and Spirits Magazine