Before we get into Oscar Valladares Island Jim cigars, we need to discuss Island Jim and Oscar’s relationship. Island Jim is the owner of a small coffee and cigar retail shop in Pittsburgh named Leaf & Bean. When Oscar told his friend Island Jim that his dream was to open his own cigar factory, Jim said he wanted Oscar’s first cigar to be Leaf & Bean’s house cigar.
The cigar was Leaf by Oscar, and Island Jim ordered 5,000. After the first batch of 1,000 hit shelves, they were gone in a week. In no time, Leaf by Oscar became a huge hit. Creating a cigar for the man that made this possible seemed only natural.
Oscar Valladares Island Jim cigars are also referred to as the Island Jim #2, as the cigars resemble a #2 pencil. Its shaggy foot looks like a chewed-on pencil eraser. The oiled-up Nicaraguan Jalapa San Andrés wrapper has a torpedo-shaped head with a small strip of Connecticut shade leaf incorporated into it. This creates a carved pencil look.
Above this strip of Connecticut is a dark chocolate-colored Oscuro leaf that looks just like a #2 pencil’s lead. And it gets better, as this format delivers two flavor-packed smoking experiences. If you cut the Oscuro tip, you’re in for more of a creamy Connecticut wrapper vibe. If you’d like to change it up further down the cigar, simply cut this Connecticut tip, and just like that, your smoke is more robust and lush.
Beneath this forward-thinking wrapper are longer fillers and binder, both from Nicaragua. The final result is a medium-strength smoke with notes of hot chocolate, creamy coffee, almonds, and white pepper. Expect billowing clouds of tasty smoke, a nice draw, and a burn approaching razor sharp.
Please enjoy Oscar Valladares Island Jim cigars at your leisure.
