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Killer Cameroon – Privada Cigar Co.

"I see a red door and I want to paint it black, no colors anymore I want them to turn black."

The lyrics of The Rolling Stones hummed through my brain as I looked at this cigar. When I say black, I mean black—as dark as a far-off black hole spinning in space.

Don't let the wrapper fool you, though. This Cameroon wrapper was born from the volcanic soil of Estelí, Nicaragua. It's the brainchild—or better yet, the Frankenstein monster—of Raul Lanuza, who focused on growing planted Cameroon seeds in Estelí. An original Cameroon wrapper is already a dark, flavor-packed leaf, but this process imparts a unique deep color alongside richer, darker fruit notes. Beneath it, a Habano binder blankets a blend of the finest Nicaraguan fillers.

This box-pressed gem packs a dynamic flavor punch while staying steadily in the medium-strength range. I truly enjoyed this cigar from start to finish, and I was fortunate enough to grab a few unbranded pre-release sticks ahead of its official drop in September.

Upon lighting, the first puff delivers distinct notes of raisin and rich, volcanic earth. Around the halfway point, cedar and deeper earthy notes take center stage, accompanied by a subtle spice sweetness reminiscent of allspice or cinnamon. It finishes just as smoothly as it starts, rounding out with rich oak, dark chocolate, and a whisper of smokiness.

Overall, this cigar was an absolute pleasure from a flavor and experience standpoint. I can't wait for the September release so I can get my hands on more—plus, the band and box art look killer. Maybe that's where it gets its name!

Rating: 8/10