Zechbauer Exclusive "Eye of the Tiger"

While ABBA was responsible for naming the cigarillos from the Royales series with their song "Chiquitita", the Animal Trilogy starts with the "Eye of the Tiger". Please note: This limited edition comes in only 300 boxes. It goes without saying that this rock classic by Survivor makes you want a cigar that goes forward and convinces round after round! With this in mind: ring free!

First of all: Anyone expecting a cigar here that is brutal, heavy and immobile is wrong! Yes – the song by Survivor was the main title of Rocky IV. However, we are not talking about an exchange of blows between aficionado and cigar. Let yourself be whisked away into high-class super middleweight points boxes, as Sugar Ray Robinson and Sven Ottke could not have demonstrated better.

"Rising up, back on the streets"

The "Eye of the Tiger" fits comfortably in the hand. Medium-heavy in weight, at the same time an unmistakable Gran Robusto format with a delicately oily Cameroon wrapper, without any noteworthy veins. The cigar ring – opulent in rich red with gold – shows that Zechbauer is announcing a new champ in the cigar world. The ring looks almost like a world championship belt: a determined tiger that seems to have its focus somewhere behind the viewer – a mission. Below – in capital letters ZECHBAUER. Sometimes you can spot favorites on their way into the ring!

"Did my time, took my chances"

Time to take a closer look! The cold smell reveals fresh cedar wood, some chocolate, oak wood (whiskey barrel?) And a cheering combination of cinnamon and curry. The overall accompanying freshness looks something like a new car: unused & ready.

The "Eye of the Tiger" can easily and cleanly endure cutting with the cigar scissors. Apart from a note of vanilla and delicate floral moments, the cold draft leaves nothing to be suspected. Champions do not reveal their tactics in front of the ring gong.

The fire acceptance of the cigar is very good, runs evenly and immediately ensures absolutely sufficient smoke development with light to medium-strong draw resistance. The first puffs release a thin, slightly creamy smoke that offers a cautious sweetness – carried by a bit of tobacco bitterness. Scan & see what happens.

During the first centimeter, the combinations become more filigree: the tobacco becomes somewhat fuller. Cedar wood, a hint of caramel and a little coffee provide surprises. The cigar remains unexcited, fresh and light.

"So many times it happens too fast. You change your passion for glory"

While trying to sort out previous experiences and taste combinations, one realizes that this is not necessarily easy. Because the cigar tends to be light-footed, sensitive and with a maximum of medium strength. In addition, there is a somewhat contrary flavor with which it deceives and challenges the smoker to either understand a skillfully complex cigar or to throw in the towel. Incense sticks, incense, cold wet stone and all of this unobtrusive and fresh. Welcome to the world of the tiger.

Regarding the toughness of this cigar, it should be said at this point that it can withstand both heavy pulling and smoking breaks. Constancy, uniformity and reliability are fundamentally guaranteed at Zechbauer. This cigar doesn't keep changing its display for quick success. The burn is even and the ash cone is white-gray without cracks – an absolute quality feature for this cigar.

"It's the eye of the tiger - It's the thrill of the fight"

How can a cigar that is so sensitive, versatile and sometimes tender be called "Eye of the Tiger"? Shouldn't something be bursting with strength here? Well, the cigar oozes power in its format. The eye of the tiger is the source of all effort. What the tiger does not see will not demand any strength from it. However, the eye is the sensitive, the vulnerable, the evaluating part of the tiger. As filigree as a tiger acts when hunting its prey, this cigar is just as delicate!

That is the "thrill" of this cigar: to see, to taste, to recognize what Zechbauer wanted to create. With this task you go into the infight of your taste senses and try to grasp all that has been experienced again.

After two centimeters, a slight sweetness is noticeable on the lips. The puff becomes a little lighter and the smoke builds up. The flavors also condense at a higher rate: curry comes to the fore. On the contrary – to be understood as cross-punch – when you blow out the smoke, you perceive salted caramel, which surprises and delights at the same time. In this combination, the "Eye of the Tiger" remains constant. After about four and a half centimeters one could imagine to have understood this cigar to some extent.

"Face to face, out in the heat – hanging tough, staying hungry"

Shortly after halfway, the "Eye of the Tiger" surprises with another combination: the flavors of curry change from the peppery part to the spicy and can best be understood with salmiak / liquorice. At the same time, the salted caramel bitters and with hints of lemon pepper provides another hit. The room note slowly changes into impressions of mint.

At the beginning of the last third, the lemon pepper solidifies and the natural consequences of such a high quality variety of flavors and combinations of impressions take their toll: the tobacco juices condense and the remaining cigar can soon no longer withstand the ammonia. Time to put the cigar down.

The "Eye of the Tiger" would certainly have had a few more moves flashing her strength of combination. But out of respect for this filigree, complex "fight" – or rather "enjoyment" – we don't let the total ammonia come down to it. This cigar doesn't deserve to be knocked out!

Written by cigar tester Gerry Lächnfinga