Early in 2022, Jas Sum Kral (JSK) announced a new project called Munchies. The new line of flavor-enhanced cigars was immediately hit with a firestorm of industry controversy. It was not due to the flavors, or even the name, as much as it was the packaging. Regardless of individual opinion on this debate, the Munchies line of premium cigars will be competing for market share in the very active and competitive world of flavored cigars. Here is Matt’s evaluation of the Muchies-Rocky Road.
As of the publishing date of this review, the JSK Munchies-Rocky Road is only available in this single vitola.
JSK Munchies-Rocky Road
MSRP: $10.00
Size: 5 x 50
Origin: Tabacalera Aragon (Nicaragua)
Wrapper: San Andres (Mexico)
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed
Prologue
When the zip-pack of Munchies is opened, there is an immediate aroma similar to sweet cocoa and cookies. The cigar itself is nicely rolled with clean seams and an even dark brown color. The wrapper surface has a slight tooth, and some visible vein structure. The cigar smells very chocolatey and sweet on the wrapper and at the foot. The cold draw has more of that cocoa sweetness, with a little bit of toasted marshmallow. Most notably on the cold draw, there is no sweetened tip on the cigar (which is typically not the case with flavored cigars).
Act I
When the cigar is lit, the air around me is immediately filled with an aroma that reminds me of a chocolate shop. As intense as the aroma of cocoa is, it isn’t so much on the palate in flavor. There is definitely some, but mostly just in the nose. There are some notes on the palate that remind me of a traditional cigar with a San Andres wrapper, like mild pepper and a slight dryness. The retrohale is more of that chocolate, with a little spice at the end.
Act II
It really isn’t until the halfway point that the coca notes start to transition from aroma to flavor. The rocky road profile starts to emerge. In addition to the cocoa, there are notes that do remind me of marshmallow and roasted nuts. There is also still a little bit of espresso, spice, and earthiness in the background. Like before, the retrohale is cocoa and mild spice.
Act III
As the cigar closes out, the cocoa and marshmallow notes start to fade a bit, but are still the biggest player in the profile. The tobacco and spice notes get a little more pronounced, but a little on the bitter side. I also get a few more traditional notes like charred wood and leather. The last few retrohales are still filled with cocoa and mild black pepper.
Epilogue
I enjoy the fact that this cigar does not have a sweetened tip. When I have smoked infused or flavored cigars with a sweetened tip, it usually isn’t until halfway through the cigar that the strong sweetness starts to dissipate so I can focus on flavors and aromas. Without the added sweetness, the flavors and aromas seem to be in a good balance with some traditional cigar flavor and aroma notes. If you have never been a fan of infused or flavored cigars because of the high sweetness factor, this one might be for you. While it is not a cigar I can see myself smoking every day, it is a cigar that I can see myself coming back to once in a while to mix it up.
JSK Munchies-Rocky Road – How Bout That Cigar?
Rating: How Bout a 5er?
Overall Score: 84
PAD: +0.0 (What is PAD?)
Flavor Summary: Cocoa, Toasted Marshmallow, Roasted Nuts, Espresso, Charred Wood
Strength Assessment: Medium
Source: Cigars for this review were purchased by HBT Media LLC