Jake Wyatt Cigar Company is a relatively newcomer in the industry, they were established back in 2020, but before today I had yet to smoke any of their offerings. I acquired the Jake Wyatt “Gourmet Collection” featuring five toros of five core blends and I chose to begin my introduction to the brand by first smoking the Appendix II. The company’s website describes this cigar as follows:
“Appendix II hits the heart of our existence. We created a profile of a smooth and creamy masterpiece. Our unwavering attention and discipline to create this ultra-smooth creamy cigar that is right for any occasion for you to enjoy.”
After conducting my usual exhaustively in-depth research on tonight’s cigar, I learned that the company was in fact NOT named after the iconic wrestler Jake “The Snake” Roberts and legendary lawman Wyatt Earp.
source: The Snake Pit podcast*
How awesome would that have been? So that discovery was kind of a bummer. It was actually named after the co-owners’ two sons. Unless… these two young men were actually named after Jake The Snake and Wyatt Earp? If that happens to be the case, holy shit, what an awesome name for a cigar company.
THE CIGAR – APPENDIX II by JAKE WYATT CIGAR COMPANY
Size: 6 x 54 (toro)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut, featuring Mexican San Andrés accents
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Price: $11.80 (the Jake Wyatt Gourmet Sampler and other Jake Wyatt cigars can be found over at Famous Smoke Shop where you can save $20 of your purchase of $100 or more by using promo code TNCC20)
After removing the Appendix II from its cellophane sleeve, there is a mixture of faint cedar and floral aromas present and a maple sweetness is found when sniffing the foot of the cigar directly. The maduro leaf accents at the top and bottom of the cigar are a nice aesthetic touch, although the accents are a light enough shade of brown that they don’t “pop out” visually as much as I’d expect when contrasting a maduro leaf against a lighter Connecticut shade. Still looks cool though. There are no surface oils present and the cigar seems firmly rolled with no soft spots evident.
After a clean punch of the cap, the Appendix II reveals little in the way of cold draw flavors other than a slight hint of must. Upon ignition, a gentle tingle of white pepper presents itself immediately through the nose. As far as peppery cigar introductions are concerned, it’s far from aggressive and the softer pepper compliments the muted oak and blonde roast coffee notes that are coming through via the draw. Around the 1” mark, the pepper all but vanishes as that prelight mustiness accompanied by an orange zest citrus note takes its place.
Construction is very good here early on with a smooth draw and an acceptably straight burn line. The Appendix II has showcased very little strength so far and the body is on the mild side of medium. The flavor combination of must, citrus, and light coffee is working well as a whole. The oak note disappears as the blonde roast picks up some steam and is now the draw’s primary headliner. It’s worth mentioning that the Appendix II is a fucking smokeshow, thick grey clouds pour from both ends (of the cigar, not me) after every puff.
A floral component has begun to develop underneath the light coffee as the Appendix II nears the fifty yard line. I’m enjoying the cigar’s evolving flavor profile quite a bit. I don’t miss the pepper at all and I’m forced to contemplate whether its presence was a direct result of burning through the two maduro accent bands surrounding the foot… once the darker tobacco turned to ash, the pepper simultaneously died. Perhaps I’m overthinking things and giving credit where it’s not actually due, or perhaps not. Either way, it came and went like a spicy fart in the wind. I’m considering thumping off the impressive ash before it drops on my lap but I’ve decided to roll the dice a bit longer…
Ouch!!! My balls are on fire!!!! Just kidding, I chickened out and thumped the ash before it could burn my boys. I’m forced to relight the Appendix II at this point and afterwards the cigar appears to be burning like a champ once again. A slight creaminess has started to develop both upstairs and downstairs, although it’s easier to discern through the draw. Speaking of the draw, dry almonds have also entered the party but they’re laying low and playing it cool in the corner for now. Strength remains mild while the Appendix II’s body is now in medium territory.
I preemptively thump the Appendix II’s ash off for a second time and, once again, a quick relight is required to get the cigar burning again. I’d recommend pairing this cigar with your favorite cup of coffee in the morning, a Vanilla Coke in the afternoon, and a creamy Guinness after sundown. Unless you’re a badass like me who occasionally drinks Guinness for breakfast… don’t judge me asshole, it’s Father’s Day weekend and I’ve earned it. All of the remaining flavors become bolder, more pronounced, here in the Appendix II’s final act. That initial white pepper sting also makes a shocking return late in the game! We here at the TNCC always preach that the worst thing you can call a cigar is boring. Thankfully, as far as the Appendix II is concerned, this is not the case at all tonight.
THE NUB
TNCC Final Score = 92
After smoking the Appendix II, I decided to scan the QR code on the back of the cigar’s band and I was led to a video on Jake Wyatt’s YouTube page where one of the company’s founders revealed his tasting notes. I was somewhat shocked to find that his assessment was very similar to my own smoking experience. While my flavor descriptions weren’t identical, they were close enough for me to realize that the blender’s intent was successful. You’d be surprised how rarely that is the case.
The Appendix II is a complex cigar featuring enough transitions to keep things interesting throughout the course of 90 minutes. Despite the two relights required (both times immediately after thumping the ash, weird) the Appendix II was far from frustrating… rather it was a pleasure to smoke and I look forward to smoking more from this line in the near future.
* So Jake “The Snake” Roberts apparently has his own podcast (finally someone who actually deserves a goddamn podcast! what a life!) and I came across this additional photo while searching for a pic of Jake in a cowboy hat –
Whoever is in charge of The Snake Pit’s marketing materials, you have a new fan in the TNCC. Our podcast tried to do this type of thing once, just once, and we ended up losing half our audience and kicking off ten years of biweekly therapy sessions for all of us.
Tuttle Barbeau stars in “Escape from Everything That’s Wholesome and Has Any Redeeming Value Whatsoever”
