Bongani is the first cigar in Africa. This is how it is described in a nice article on Manuel's website (you can find the link in the resources section). When I first learnt that there was a cigar from Africa, I thought: Oh, is that something? I admit it: prejudices are always the worst judgements. Spolier alert: You bet it is!

A cigar test is subjective

Note: How a cigar tastes is influenced by personal taste preferences, taste memories, the form of the day, what you have eaten or drunk beforehand. Even the lighting in the room has an influence on the flavour you experience. The notes described here therefore do not necessarily correspond to your own impressions.

Bongani Robusto — I admit: I was sceptical. Typical prejudice. I should „deactivate“ it somehow.

Fact Sheet

Format: Robusto (length: 125 / ring gauge: 52)
Tobacco:
- Cover page: Cameroon
- Outer leaf: Mozambique
- Filler: Mozambique
Price: Status March 2022
- CHF 12.90 / box of 20 CHF 258.00 / box of 5 CHF 64.50
- EUR: Currently not available (status March 2022)

Personal impressions of the pleasure

Recommended acclimatisation: Suitable for tasting immediately. If you buy the cigar in the cool season: Let it acclimatise for three days in a humidor with cellophane.

First half

Tongue, palate: Nutty / slightly spicy / sour-bitter / a little leather / slightly sweetish with time
Retronasala little pepper / sour-bitter
R+ ZiZo vacuum technology: Holy cow! Wonderful roasted flavours of tart, fragrant coffee beans. Marvellous!
Umami: Roasty / juicy / perhaps a hint of astringency (may be due to my form on the day)
Strength 3/5

Second half

The whole thing becomes full-bodied, earthy (almost peaty), more nutty and more leather, more wood and a pinch more sweetness. The unmistakable „sour-bitter“ flavour remains and becomes more intense; but never too much, as long as you draw the cigar very leisurely.

Conclusion on the Bongani cigar

Firstly, the uncool thing: lighting it was a bit tricky. The centre of the cigar wouldn't glow for a few minutes. The first five minutes were characterised by very strong bitter notes. I really didn't like that. The cap on the head of the cigar came off after cutting. This made the smoke a little more difficult because the wrapper came off at the top. But that's what the PerfecRepair glue is for. Problem solved.

But then... yes, then everything changed!

The cigar also smouldered in the middle and the very strong bitter notes literally went up in smoke and dissipated. My sample has an almost perfect burn. It smoulders long and evenly. The ash is compact, firm and stable.

The wrapper leaf from Cameroon is the most expensive in the world. The flavour is unique. The cigar tastes „toasty“ / bitter-sour / nutty / woody and perhaps a hint of leather now and again throughout the smoke.

Burning is difficult for a few minutes towards the centre. It smoulders and after the ashes I see a small crater burn in two places. There was something here. But after this phase it smouldered perfectly as before.

The important thing with this cigar is that you draw on it very slowly. This is important for every cigar, but especially for the Bongani. The reason: if you draw on it too often and too quickly, it immediately becomes quite bitter and sour. Haha - that's right, the cigar turns sour, because it doesn't like that at all 🙂

So if you take a leisurely approach to your smoke, this cigar will give you a truly wonderful experience. The cigar is strong: 4/5.

ATTENTION: Please beware of a nicotine flash (you can find out what you can do about it in the resources section below. Eat well beforehand. The room should be very well ventilated, with a constant supply of fresh air. An additional air purifier with very good smoke extraction is also an advantage. Enjoy outside in the warmer months, provided it is not too windy.

Great to have tested this cigar.

Oh yes, there's one more thing. I wrote that the cover sheet is the most expensive in the world. That's the truth. But the price for the Robusto is amazingly great. Definitely try it out.

As always: „If I like the cigar, maybe you will too. But if you don't like it, then there's more for me!‘ 🙂

Resources on the topic

Buy a cigar: Google Search >

You can read background information about Bongani here at Manuel's

Nicotine flash and 4 tips on what you can do

Helpful cigar tips: From „retronasal“ and „umami“ to the difference in cigar storage between Non Cuba and Cuba

Bongani - The first cigar in Africa put to the test