The Negentropy, featuring an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a double Nicaraguan binder, and Condega fillers, is one of the debut lines from Domain Cigars, a company founded in mid-2024 by industry veterans Esteban Disla and Daniel Lance. Disla, with over a decade of experience crafting blends for brands like RoMa Craft Tobac, CAO, and Alec Bradley, and Lance, co-founder of Lujo Concepts and an experienced industry consultant.
Domain Cigars launched with the Negentropy and Neutron lines, most recently followed up by the Entropy line
OVERVIEW
VITOLA: Toro Gordo
SIZE: 6″ x 56
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
FACTORY: Tabacalera Familia Disla S.A.
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Habano
BINDER: Nicaraguan (Double)
FILLER: Nicaraguan Condega
STRENGTH: Medium Plus / Full
SOURCE:
Domain Cigars
ENVIRONMENT
WHERE:
Cabin on the Mississippi River
WHEN:
Late Evening
DRINKS:
Water
WEATHER:
37° outside, 68° inside
HOW MANY CIGARS SMOKED:
3
PRODUCTION
RELEASE TYPE Regular Production
ORIGINALLY RELEASE DATE April ’24
TOTAL PRODUCTION
Typical Box Size: Boxes of 20
Production Totals: Unknown
VITOLA BREAKDOWN
o Toro (6″ x 56)
o Robusto Extra (5″ x 52)
o Box Press Toro Gorodo (6″ x 56 Box Press)
o Box Press Correlation (5″ x 56 Box Press)
o Robusto Gordo (5″ x 56)
o Belicoso Shaggy (5″ x 54)
BAND DESIGN
Negentropy features the same double-band design as the other two cigars in Domain’s current lineup. The base band is black with a repeating gold pattern that resembles a stylized compass, giving it a distinctive, elegant touch. The same under-band design is found on the Neutron, while the Entropy band uses black and silver for a contrasting look.
Overlaid on the base band is a larger, more detailed version of the design, accented with additional features. This top band prominently displays the company’s name and the specific cigar name. While the design leans slightly toward the flashy side, I find its classic aesthetic and thoughtful presentation quite appealing.
PRE-LIGHT OBSERVATIONS
CONSTRUCTION
Upon examining the construction, it was clear that the artisans at Tabacalera Familia Disla S.A. demonstrated exceptional care and expertise. Each cigar was firm, with no overly soft or hard spots detected. The AAA Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, sourced from Oliva farms, was a prime example of what a high-quality wrapper should be. It featured the finest of veins, which remained invisible during the burn and in the ash—an issue often seen with thicker veins in lesser-quality wrappers.
The wrapper had a subtle sheen and just a hint of toothiness, adding to its appeal. It appeared to be double-capped, though on a two of the cigars, the cap wasn’t seamlessly blended with the rest of the wrapper
AROMA
The pre-light aromas featured a rich, earthy barnyard scent at the forefront, followed by a touch of pepper and subtle notes of charred wood.
COLD DRAW
The cold draw, after a straight cut, revealed primarily tobacco flavors with hints of charred wood.
SMOKING EXPERIENCE
LIGHT & DRAW
Cut: Straight Cut
Fire: ST Dupont soft flame
SMOKE
Although abundant in volume and capable of carrying flavors well, the smoke was light and airy.
FIRST THIRD
>> Pepper, Herbaceous, Graham Cracker
In the first third, the cigar began with a slightly uneven burn line, teetering on the verge of needing a touch-up. However, I’m opting to let it settle and see if it self-corrects. The flavor profile is predominantly pepper-forward, though it doesn’t overwhelm the palate—more of a subtle heat that lingers rather than a full-blown pepper bomb. There’s a delicate, floral herbaceousness that adds an intriguing layer of complexity, complemented by hints of sweet graham cracker, which bring a touch of warmth. The retrohale mirrors the peppery character but softens it, with a smooth, almost caramel-like sweetness rounding off the experience.
SECOND THIRD
>> Herbaceous, Anise, Pepper
Entering the second third, the herbaceous notes rise to the forefront of the palate, while the pepper recedes slightly. A touch of anise makes its presence known, adding an intriguing layer of flavor. Subtle hints of black coffee begin to emerge, enhancing the cigar’s depth and providing a rich, slightly bitter contrast to the sweeter, graham cracker undertones from earlier.
The burn line, which was initially uneven, has corrected itself without the need for any touch-ups, now burning more evenly. The smoke has grown creamier, not so much in volume but in texture, adding a smoothness to the overall experience.
FINAL THIRD
>>Ceder, Floral, Coffee
In the final third, the pepper and anise from the second third come together to create a distinct cedar woodiness, anchoring the profile with a rich, earthy depth. A floral note emerges, offering a pleasant contrast, while hints of burnt coffee and caramel linger in the background, rounding out the complexity. The transition to this stage is seamless, with the flavors blending smoothly into a satisfying finish.
RATING & FINAL THOUGHTS
FLAVOR PROGRESSION
The Negentropy starts with a pepper-forward profile, balanced by herbaceous and floral notes and a hint of graham cracker sweetness. In the second third, the herbaceous flavors rise, while anise and subtle coffee add complexity. The smoke becomes creamier, and the burn line corrects itself. In the final third, the pepper and anise create a cedar woodiness, complemented by floral notes and hints of burnt coffee and caramel, leading to a smooth, satisfying finish.
BURN EXPERIENCE
The cigars smoked for this review started with varying degrees of an uneven burn line but self-corrected by the second third, requiring no touch-ups or relights at any point.
RATING BREAKDOWN
0.70 / 0.80 … Craft & Aesthetic
0.45 / 0.50 … Pre-Light Characteristics
0.45 / 0.50 … Lighting Process
7.30 / 7.70 … Smoking Experience
0.45 / 0.50 … Personal Enjoyment
COMPLIMENTS & CRITIQUES
- Well-crafted except for the cap.
- Smooth, even flavor progression throughout.
- Creaminess and thickness of the smoke increased, which also means it started thin, good and bad.
Is This Cigar a 9.35 or an 8.7?
If we were smoking this cigar at a lounge and, midway through, you asked me the age-old question, “What would you rate that cigar?”, I’d, of course, pause whatever discussion we were having or stop watching whatever variety of sportsball was on TV. I’d take a big puff, roll the smoke around in my mouth, maybe even retrohale it, and say, “I don’t know… mid to high eights. Let’s call it an 8.7.” We’ve all been there.
To be perfectly honest, sitting down to dissect flavors, look for transitions, and notice flavor combinations between thirds—which don’t always split into perfectly even thirds—isn’t something most people do every day. Certainly not at a lounge. We grab something new or a tobacconist’s recommendation, cut it, light it, sit down, and almost immediately start ignoring the cigar. Maybe the TV steals your attention, or your phone tempts you into doom-scrolling. Even if not, you’re likely people-watching, chatting with a friend, or sipping on a drink that’s drowning out the cigar’s nuances. And honestly, that’s what we love about lounges—the vibe, the distractions, and, of course, the cigars.
With the Negentropy, though, you’d be doing yourself—and its creators—a disservice by treating it the same. This cigar is perfectly suited for enjoying at the lounge and partaking in all those usual behaviors, but it’s also worth pausing to really take in. From the start, where you might think the somke is just a little thin, to the rich, thick smoke toward the finish, it’s a cigar that constantly builds upon itself until a deeply satisfying conclusion. None of its complexity is hard to notice—if you’re paying attention. And trust me, this is a cigar that absolutely deserves your attention.
