Honest question: How do you react when you hear the news that one of your favorite limited-edition cigars is returning to store shelves BUT the manufacturer has completely altered the blend? For me, personally, my first instinct is to get angry. “If it aint broke don’t fix the sonofabitch!” I yell to my dogs who just ignore me as they always do. In space… no one can hear you bitch. The TNCC all highly enjoyed the original Intergalactic release, so much so that it was ranked as our #3 cigar of 2022! So to say that this new release has some big moon boots to fill would be a massive understatement.
THE CIGAR – INTERGALACTIC EVENT HORIZON by BLACK WORKS STUDIO
Size: 4.75 x 46 (petite corona)
Wrapper: Pennsylvania broadleaf
Binder: Ecuadorian habano
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $11.00 (while these samples were submitted for review, please remember when purchasing your Black Works Studio cigars or other fine premium stogies from FamousSmokeShop.com to use your new favorite promo code TNCC20 at checkout where it will knock $20 off your purchase of $100 or more)
After sliding the Intergalactic Event Horizon from its cello, there’s a strong leathery aroma present and just a hint of fresh mint is detected when sniffing the closed foot directly. There are no surface oils present and the cigar has the ideal amount of give when gently squeezed… just like yours truly.
After experiencing a cold draw that was comprised of equal parts must and earth, it’s time to set this sucker on fire! Nostril-tingling black pepper immediately puffs out its chest via the retrohale, while dark roasted coffee and hickory are the dominant flavors early on down below. A leathery component begins to develop underneath the peppery spice before the Intergalactic has reached the 1” mark.
The Intergalactic Event Horizon is burning fantastic, producing an attractive stack of white dimes. Prior to lighting up, I gently clipped the twisted tobacco off without snipping much of the cap and then I punched the cap ever so slightly. Nica mineral has now joined the black pepper and leather through the nose. Dark coffee is currently at the forefront of the draw, although that hickory woodsiness is still hanging on a bit.
That black pepper zing has not lessened as we approach the fifty yard line and the addition of a pencil shavings note combined with the preexisting leather and mineral makes retrohaling the Intergalactic an absolute must. The nose knows!
The draw’s current profile of mainly an intense coffee flavor is nothing to scoff at. This is a complex cigar and all these flavor notes intertwined are working extremely well together. The now significantly reduced presence of hickory actually acts in the cigar’s best interests as it was becoming somewhat of an odd man out with everything else going on.
The Intergalactic is staying on course in its final act as a full strength, full bodied cigar that wastes no time fucking around. While bourbon would be the easy pairing choice here, I’d like to try a pint (or 3) of Guinness next time I light one of these mofos up. I think that creaminess would perhaps bring the draw’s flavors out of the shadows a bit more. Unfortunately, I don’t allow myself a beverage while reviewing cigars so I’ll have to report back on that front ASAP. What can I say, I’m a professional.
THE NUB
TNCC FINAL SCORE = 93
While this new variation of the Intergalactic is a very different cigar than its 2022 predecessor, there are enough similarities present here to appreciate the brand connection if you’re a fan of the original. The Intergalactic Event Horizon is a confident cigar. It’s confident in its blend and it’s confident in the smoking experience that it’s going to deliver. The three samples smoked for this review were incredibly consistent as far as flavors, transitions, and construction. In a nutshell: This cigar has balls and you should go buy a few*.
* I also smoked the Event Horizon in the toro size and I found the petite corona to be a much tighter representation of the blend at its best
** average smoking duration was one hour
