Released in June of this year (2024), the OneOff Black is the latest LE in the OneOff brand from Don Giolito and Illusione. I could go through the history of the OneOff brand and how Don Giolito bought it back in 2017, but there’s something about this release that puzzles me. Some retailers have it listed as the OneOff Black and Tan, while others have it listed as just the OneOff Black. The box and branding is black and tan in color, but the cigars are labeled as “Black” on the cello. Is it the Black and Tan or just Black? At the end of the day I decided to go with what halfwheel called it, but be aware that some retailers have this listed as Black and Tan.
OVERVIEW
VITOLA:Â Â Robusto
SIZE:Â Â 5″ x 52
ORIGIN:Â Â Nicaragua
FACTORY:Â Â Aganorsa
WRAPPER:Â Â Undisclosed
BINDER:Â Â Undisclosed
FILLER:Â Â Undisclosed
STRENGTH:Â Â Medium
SOURCE:Â Â Â
Small Batch Cigar
ENVIRONMENT
WHERE:Â Â
Studio/Lounge
WHEN:Â Â
Oct. 23 @2:00pm
DRINKS:Â Â
Bottled Water
WEATHER:Â Â
Indoors
HOW MANY CIGARS SMOKED:Â Â
3
PRODUCTION
RELEASE TYPE Â Limited Release
ORIGINALLY RELEASE DATE Â June ’24
TOTAL PRODUCTION
Typical Box Size:Â Â Â Boxes of 10
Production Totals:Â 1,000 boxes
VITOLA BREAKDOWN
o  Robusto (5″ x 52)
BAND DESIGN
The overall branding and packaging of the OneOff Black stays true to other OneOff releases. The OneOff band is black with a tan peace symbol in the middle. That’s it. Nothing else on the band. It is a very simple design that mimics the box. To be honest, in an era where some manufacturers try their best to use up every piece of real estate on a cigar with bands and sleeves, it’s refreshing to get something that is so straightforward and so simple. I wish more manufacturers would do this.
PRE-LIGHT OBSERVATIONS
CONSTRUCTION
The wrapper has a dark hue to it, that is reminiscent of milk chocolate. The wrapper does have some mottling along with a few veins that criss cross the cigar. The wrapper is smooth to the touch. It’s not very toothy, but there are pockets of oil that can be shimmering when the light hits is just right. The Black appears to be triple capped. There are no obvious hard or soft spots. The OneOff Black has the appearance of a cigar that is more refined than it is rustic.
AROMA
Notes of barnyard, freshly cut grass, and maybe a hint of fruit waft from the wrapper. The OneOff Black’s foot gives up similar notes of barnyard, raisins, baking spices, and sweet tobacco.Â
COLD DRAW
The cold draw has funky note of earth, barnyard, and cinnamon raisin bread. The draw is a bit on the tight side, but nothing concerning yet. Â
SMOKING EXPERIENCE
LIGHT & DRAW
Cut: Le Petit by Les Fines Lames
Fire:Â Vektor SONICPUMP
The OneOff Black begins with big notes of black pepper on the retrohale. There’s a caramel sweetness that lingers on the finish, with a touch of cayenne pepper. Earth, nuts and sweet cream round out the initial light. There’s a chocolate note that is hiding in the undercurrents, too. The draw is not a concern.Â
SMOKE
The smoke is plentiful. With each draw it coats my palate with a creamy smoke that leaves a very pleasant mouthfeel. At rest, the Black gives off a fair amount of smoke.
FIRST THIRD
>> Baking Spices, Toasted Bread, Charred Meat, Black Pepper
The initial light fades and leaves notes of baking spices, caramel, sweet cream, nuts, earth, and citrus. Black Pepper on the retrohale. There is a saltiness that comes through. Slightly burned toast with salted butter. Red pepper lingers on my palate. The ash on all three samples was more on the flaky side during the first third. The burn line goes from wavy to straight-ish; always self-correcting. I find myself digging for the raisin note from the cold draw, but the OneOff Black begins more savory than sweet. The sweeter notes have faded to the background and are replaced by notes of charred meat, toast, and roasted peanuts. The citrus cuts through the richness. As I near the end of the first third, notes of chocolate, bread, baking spices, and red pepper begin to take over.
SECOND THIRD
>> Chocolate, Charred Wood, Avocado Oil, White Pepper
The middle third begins with a mix of sweet and savory. Chocolate, salted nuts, and citrus combine with notes of charred meat, wood, and baking spices. White pepper on the retrohale. Avocado oil lingers on my palate. There is a bite of red pepper that begins to come through. The OneOff Black is still buttery smooth. The meaty notes are replaced by wood, chocolate, nuts, and a funky earthy note. The burn line is less wavy but was crooked on two of the three smoked for this review. The ash is still on the flaky side, but not overly flakey. Charred wood, espresso, caramel, and nuts now define the middle third. Still medium bodied and full flavored. White pepper rules the retrohale.Â
FINAL THIRD
>> Coffee, Chocolate, Leather, Black Pepper
The final third begins with notes of black coffee, butter, baking spices, leather, and sweet cream. High quality chocolate holds everything up from underneath. Black pepper on the retrohale. There’s a vegetal note lurking in the undercurrent. The flavors are ramping up. Cayenne pepper returns and caramel lingers on my palate. The greatest hits of the first two thirds are replayed and joined by some new songs. Earthy, meaty, sweet, and savory. The ash is still flakey but not too flakey. The burn is much straighter than before. The smoke is still creamy and unctuous. It has a great mouthfeel to it. The OneOff Black ends with notes of butter, toast coffee, wood, chocolate, and baking spices.
RATING & FINAL THOUGHTS
FLAVOR PROGRESSION
The OneOff Black’s flavor progression is similar throughout, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t complex and nuanced. Firmly medium bodied but never lacking in flavor, the OneOff Black progresses from sweet notes of caramel, sweet cream, and citrus to more savory notes of charred meat, salted butter, and toast. Flanked by notes of black pepper, baking spices, and white pepper, the OneOff Black has funky earthy notes of nuts, wood, and leather.Â
BURN EXPERIENCE
Did the OneOff Black have the most consistent burn? No. Was it egregiously inconsistent? No. The ash was flakey throughout, too. I always wonder, though, if this really bothers anyone. As long as the ash holds and doesn’t cover my shirt when I’m done, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. However, it is something to note when smoking.
RATING BREAKDOWN
0.78Â / 0.80 … Craft & Aesthetic
0.50Â / 0.50 …Â Pre-Light Characteristics
0.50Â / 0.50 …Â Lighting Process
7.02Â / 7.70 …Â Smoking Experience
0.46Â / 0.50 …Â Personal Enjoyment
COMPLIMENTS & CRITIQUES
- Smooth and rich flavors full of nuance and complexity.
- A consistent flavor profile that was one of the more enjoyable experiences I've had this year.
- The ash was just a bit on the flakey side for my tastes.
THE ONEOFF BLACK DELIVERS.
As I said in my compliments, the OneOff Black delivered one of the better smoking experiences I’ve had this year. Big notes of chocolate, coffee, and avocado oil were complimented by baking spices, red pepper, and a funky earthy note. The OneOff Black had my attention from light to nub and had me searching for the more nuance flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, leather, citrus, and cayenne pepper. With sweet cream, caramel, and a creamy nuttiness found throughout the smoke, the OneOff Black delivered on every flavor metric. While the burn was less than straight at times, my only real concern was the ash. Even that did not rise to the level of annoyance to detract from the flavors and experience the OneOff Black delivered on. This is a cigar that you should actively try to find before they’re all gone.
