Archetype Initiation Cigar Review

Ventura Cigar Archetype Initiation is part of Archetype Cigars Series B, along with Archetype Axis Mundi. Series B was introduced at the same time as Archetype Series A, in 2016, and made its debut at that summer's IPCPR trade show in Las Vegas.

There are four vitolas to choose from. In this review we'll focus on the Archetype Initiation Toro, but the flavor profile should be the same no matter which vitola you prefer.

Ventura cigars are produced to very high standards and we've found them to be very consistent in terms of strength and flavor, so you always know what to expect from these premium handmade cigars.

Initiation Blend and Flavor Profile

Ventura describe Initiation as "a surprising mix of floral notes, white sage and orange zest that intensify throughout the smoke". We found it to be a mellow to medium cigar with a complex blend of chocolate, coffee, rum, spices and the sweetness of tobacco.

It's a premium handmade cigar with a Nicaraguan Habano filler blend, produced at the famous Drew Estate Factory.

Cigar.com's Archetype Initiation Cigar Review

In our Ventura Archetype Initiation cigar review, we'll be looking at the Archetype Initiation Toro, a 6" x 52 vitola. Other Archetype Initiation vitolas include the 5" x 46 Corona, 5" x 54 Robusto and the hefty 7" x 48 Churchill.

The Archetype Initiation Toro is a great middle ground, giving you a little more length than the Corona or Robusto, but without being quite so demanding on your time or attention as the 7" Churchill vitola.

What is the construction of the Archetype Initiation Cigar?

Initiation contains a blend of Nicaraguan Habano tobaccos with a Nicaraguan Habano binder and Ecuador Habano wrapper.

It's a real artisan stick, handmade to very high, consistent standards, and finished with the Archetype cigars 'Labyrinth' band that appears across the entire range, as well as an illustrated band unique to the Initiation.

A look at the cold draw

Initiation is a relatively tightly packed stick, so the cold draw takes a little effort to bring out the flavors. Once you do, it's an unusual mix of cream, spices, floral aromas and a mossy, earthy taste reminiscent of truffle oil.

Flavors from the Archetype Initiation cigar

Once it's lit, the Archetype Initiation cigar's artisan construction gives you an even burn with a good solid draw. So do those flavors translate into the smoke and retrohales? Let's go on a journey.

First third

Some of the first flavors to emerge might come as a surprise, following the cold draw. There's a real depth of flavor, with rich cherry fruits, leather and peppery spice, especially on the retrohales.

Second third

Into the turning point of this journey, there's more sweetness and woody aromas, with cinnamon and vanilla retrohales. The texture is creamy and smooth, helping to support the full depth of these delicious flavors, and creating a mouthfeel like that of a freshly ground coffee.

Final third

The dance of strength and flavor continues throughout the final third of Initiation, with tastes of pine and earth, accompanied by musky dark cherry and spices that linger to the very end. It's extremely satisfying, with plenty of thick smoke that serves up spicy retrohales and fills the senses.

What I thought to the Initiation's strength profile

Archetype Initiation has an unusual strength profile. Officially it has a mellow body with medium strength, but the tightly packed tobacco and rich smoke mean there is a lot of flavor in this stick from the cold draw right through to the end of the final third.

The result is a cigar that has more to offer than it might seem at first glance. Initiation is the type of boutique cigar you want to spend time with, accompanied by a fresh coffee or dark rum, with the phone off the hook.

Leave yourself plenty of time as the fairly dense packing of the tobacco filler gives this one a surprising burn duration.

Closing thoughts

Over the course of this Archetype Initiation cigar review, this stick proved itself time and time again. From the elegant aesthetic of the expertly rolled cigar and its dual illustrated bands, to the unusual aromas of the cold draw, through to the even burn and full flavors of the thick smoke and retrohales.

The result overall is an experience unlike most other premium handmade cigars, and a stand-out addition to the Ventura Archetype cigars line-up. Available in boxes of 20 across four different vitolas, it's a step along the Archetype road trip that should not be missed.

Check out our introductory guide to Archetype cigars if you want to know more about the brand.

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