I first reviewed the original Boondock cigar way back in 2019 and, boy, was I ever hard on it. Not the cigar itself thankfully – it was fine – but rather the “film” it was inspired by. I shoveled so much shit on 1999’s “The Boondock Saints” that there’s nothing I could possibly add here, 7 years later, to further demonstrate my contempt for that total waste of celluloid. So I’m not going to discuss that aspect of the cigar, the fact that its name is taken from an absolute garbage movie, in tonight’s review of the recently relaunched 2026 Boondock. After all, it’s not the cigar’s fault and I’m sure if the cigar could talk it would have politely asked to be named after the somewhat-less-sucky “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” or even “8 Heads in a Duffel Bag” but cigars can’t talk (again thankfully) so here we are. But I’m not going to comment on that tonight. This evening I shall let the cigar itself tell me its story through a haze of narrative smoke and during that sacred time together nothing else matters.
Was there a promotional duffel bag made for the VHS release of “The Boondock Saints”? Yeah, I didn’t think so… just sayin’!
THE CIGAR – BOONDOCK by BLACK WORKS STUDIO
Size: 5 1/4 x 50 (robusto)
Wrapper: Pennsylvania broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan habano
Filler: Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Nicaragua
Price: $12.50 (head on over to Famous Smoke Shop right now where Boondock cigars are currently on sale and you can receive an extra $20 off $100 by using promo code TNCC20 )
Earthiness conjoined with well-worn leather are the Boondock’s dominant aromas once the cello sleeve is removed. On the podcast we’d often refer to this specific leather sensation as similar to “Indiana Jones jacket”, now that was a movie! Well, the first two were pretty good… The Boondock features a unique partially-wrapped foot that leaves just a small portion of the foot exposed. The toothy wrapper leaf is semi-oily and smooth to the touch.
The Boondock’s cold draw is musty like an old library book and there’s a slight vegetal presence as well. Upon ignition, a giant wave of cayenne pepper floods the nostrils. Down below, the cold draw’s foreshadowing of earth and leather has immediately come fruition. It’s actually surprising how seldom that’s the case. Most cigars that I smoke/review feature prelight aromas that never materialize into corresponding flavors once lit. A touch of mineral soon arises as a secondary note underneath the red pepper. Smoke production is copious with thick chewy clouds pouring from both ends.
In another smoking experience anomaly, the red pepper begins to show itself occasionally via the draw. I rarely, if ever, detect any pepper notes through the draw.
The draw’s core flavor profile of dark earth and Dr. Jones leather is steadfast and doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. But that sporadic appearance of pepper downstairs is certainly keeping things interesting. Hey cigarmakers, interesting cigars are better than boring cigars 100% of the time! Please try to remember that. Construction in the Boondock’s first half is impressive, with a smooth draw and straight burn line.
In an unexpected Tarantino-esque twist, something “filmmaker” Troy Duffy would know absolutely nothing about, a flavor reminiscent of powdered, original Coffee Mate® creamer suddenly develops on the retrohale as the Boondock approaches the fifty yard line. That unique presentation of creaminess quickly diminishes the cayenne pepper’s influence and this shift allows the mineral note to become more pronounced as well. Coincidentally, or maybe not, the red pepper also vanishes from the draw’s profile around the same time abandoning the earth and leather flavors. I attempt to thump off the ash but it refuses to drop until it’s good and ready – you gotta respect that.
As expected, the ash just dropped on my lap. Fortunately, I stopped reviewing cigars in the nude years ago for this very reason. The cream and mineral notes are working well together and this dynamic duo also plays nicely with the draw’s more rustic flavors. As far as beverage pairings are concerned, I’d love to try a bourbon & Coke with the Boondock and see what that sweetness brings to the proceedings. Or maybe some Flor de Caña rum mixed with some Mexicoke would do the trick. Damn, that sounds good…
Holy shit! The cayenne is not only back via the retrohale but it’s standing toe-to-toe with the mineral and cream. In fact, that creaminess shifts some of its influence south to the draw just so it’s not dismissed or forgotten. The Boondock’s final act plays out along this same path of flavors until I can smoke it no more.
THE NUB
TNCC Final Score = 93
We weren’t assigning numerical scores when I originally reviewed the Boondock seven years ago, but I can confidently say this year’s release is better. The 2026 Boondock is a more complex cigar featuring surprising transitions that consistently kept me on my toes. So unlike the cigar’s namesake “movie”, I believe this Boondock robusto will be remembered as a winner.
* Total Smoking Duration: 78 minutes
