Pride of Jamaica – House of Barrington

We receive hundreds of cigars a year to review.  Today’s selection comes from the manufacturer, who we met at last summers industry trade show.  An unassuming man with a passion for his country and cigar making.

As a small boy in Jamaica, young Barrington Adams found authentic gold doubloons on his parents’ property, an exciting occurrence, foreshadowing what was to come. These coins later served to help burnish Barrington’s long held dream of restoring the bright luster of the Barrington House name, to restore its long held reputation for fine tobaccos, respect for traditions, quality and refined taste.

Barrington acquired the former Combined Tobacco Company Jamaica, Ltd., the company that was run by the renowned and awe inspiring master cigar blender and constructor, Jimmy Chang. Jimmy Chang left Cuba in the 1960’s, after having mentored with Menendes y Garcia of Montecristo fame, and other masters who passed on Cuban cigar making art and traditions to Barrington House. Jamaica was chosen, as the unique climate and soil produce a rich, yet mild tobacco, rivaling that of Cuba. Jimmy passed on his phenomenal skills and quality management techniques to number of Jamaican protégé’s now very successfully operating Barrington House in Jamaica.

Today’s cigar looked nice when it was unwrapped.  It had a silky feel.  It punched and lit without problem.

Construction of the stick was not up to our high standards.  The draw wa very tight and did not improve as we smoked.  The cigar burned evenly but held only a short ash.

The flavor of the cigar err mild.  It started and remained pretty much the same for the entire smoke.  There were cedary notes balanced with a touch of vanilla.  An altogether pleasant taste profile.

At around $7 this cigar seems a bit steeply priced.  I thought it was a nice berakfast flavor and hope the next time I light one it will be better built.