It’s been a very long time since I’ve done a proper video cigar review. Years, actually. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the old saying holds true: if you don’t use it, you lose it. When you spend your time being a consumer rather than a reviewer, smoking cigars for pure enjoyment instead of analyzing every flavor nuance, getting back into the groove can be challenging.

But here we are. I’m easing back into cigar reviews with the Gris Gris from LA Cigar Collective. It’s a house blend from a cigar shop just outside New Orleans. And honestly? This turned out to be a lot more fun than I expected.

How I Discovered the Gris Gris

There’s a good chance you’ve never heard of this cigar before, and that’s completely understandable. The Gris Gris is a house blend exclusive to LA Cigar Collective, a shop located about 10-15 minutes outside of New Orleans. I came across it thanks to my podcast, Smoke and Steel.

My co-host Eric got Kyle, the owner of LA Cigar Collective, as a Secret Santa one year. They hit it off, became friends, and stayed in touch while Kyle was building out his physical shop. When we were looking for our first big podcast guest, Kyle was the natural choice. He generously sent over a bundle of ten Gris Gris cigars for us to smoke during the episode.

Now, Eric kept calling it the “Gris-Gris” (pronouncing the s), and I still do it in front of him just to mess with him. But the correct pronunciation is “Gree-Gree.”

Pre-Light Inspection: First Impressions Matter

The Gris Gris is an attractive cigar right out of the gate. The Indonesian Sumatra wrapper has a consistent color from head to foot. Think coffee with a splash of cream. It’s got a matte finish with no oily sheen, and the construction looks impeccable. The cap is neatly applied with no scraggly cut lines. The veins are minimal.

The aroma is mild and inviting. On the wrapper, I picked up sweet, grassy notes. The foot gave off more of a hay or barnyard character with hints of black tea. The cold draw was a touch firm (maybe just slightly on the tight side) with a very mild taste that reminded me of green tea.

I’ve been V-cutting much more these days. I got myself a Hammersmith Beast that produces a really deep V-cut, and I’m finding it quite nice. For a long time I didn’t bother with V-cutters. But after seeing so many of my friends swear by them, I figured I’d see what all the fuss was about.

The Mild Misconception

Here’s the thing: I kept hearing that the Gris Gris was a mild cigar. Part of this reputation stems from comparisons to LA Cigar Collective’s first house blend, the Padre Eligido (which translates to “chosen father”). The Padre was made by Quesada and wound up being milder than anticipated. It built a reputation as the mild option in their humidor.

When the Gris Gris came along, which was made at a different factory with a completely different blend, I think perhaps it got unfairly compared to the Padre Eligido.

Let me set the record straight: The Gris Gris is not a mild cigar.

First Third: A Punchy Introduction

The first few puffs of the Gris Gris pack a surprising punch, especially on the retrohale. There’s an aggressive pepperiness that hits you through the sinus. It has that classic Nicaraguan character you expect when you know there’s Nicaraguan tobacco in the blend. This cigar is firmly planted in medium territory for both body and flavor. It can even dabble in full territory on those initial puffs.

The flavors in the first third are complex and constantly shifting. There’s a saltiness that hits the tongue. Aggressive pepper through the nose. Occasional pops of sweetness reminiscent of green tea. I also picked up hay-like flavors and some bready, almost cracker-like notes. All of these elements swirl around, coming and going in waves.

I’ll be honest. I’m rusty at this. Identifying specific flavors takes practice, and it’s been a while since I’ve sat down and really focused on dissecting a cigar like this.

One of the most interesting qualities of this cigar is the way the smoke coats your mouth. It’s hard to explain, but bear with me. You know when you put a couple dashes of Frank’s Red Hot on something and take a bite? You feel that initial heat, that bit of capsaicin on your tongue. Then you take a sip of water and suddenly that heat expands and spreads everywhere. That’s what the smoke quality is like on the Gris Gris. Each puff spreads out and lingers. It’s got legs.

Construction and Performance

The Gris Gris smokes beautifully. It’s only available in one size at the moment (a traditional 6×50 Toro). Based on my conversation with Kyle on the podcast, there’s potential for a second size down the line. Possibly in 20-count boxes versus the current 10-count bundles. But for now, this is what you get.

The draw is excellent. Smoke volume is tremendous. It’s flavorful, easy to smoke, and enjoyable. I have a terrible habit (one that Eric gives me grief about constantly) of aggressively ashing my cigars. If I don’t pay attention, ash inevitably winds up down my shirt and in my lap. To avoid this, I proactively knock it off. The ash on the Gris Gris holds to about a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch before coming off with a couple of taps.

The burn has been pretty good across all four cigars I’ve smoked. It waves a little bit, but nothing unreasonable. Only one required a touchup, and that was because I left it in the ashtray a bit too long and it nearly went out. That’s been the only issue I’ve encountered.

Second Third: Settling In

As I moved into the second third, the flavors settled down and became more focused. The bready, cracker-like notes became more prominent. I continued to pick up on a lingering bitterness in the aftertaste. It was kind of like a walnut (the bitterness that comes from eating a walnut). It’s not unpleasant. It’s just there in the background.

The smoke remained very dry throughout. This isn’t a creamy cigar that makes you salivate. It’s got a tannin-like drying effect that becomes increasingly noticeable as you smoke. This is where I need to address something important.

The Dryness Factor: Not for Everyone

This is a very dry cigar. Early on, it’s not overly noticeable. But the closer you get to the band, the more you’ll feel it. Your mouth will start to feel parched. I think this dryness might be part of why some people perceive it as mild. It is a quality often associated with milder cigars.

One of my buddies, Rob, smoked a Gris Gris while we were recording the podcast episode with Kyle. The poor guy couldn’t hear anything (we ran out of headphones and mics), so he just sat there in complete silence while we recorded. Afterwards, he told me it wasn’t in his wheelhouse. He didn’t really enjoy it but wanted to try another one later. Turns out, the drying effect was a deal-breaker for him.

If you don’t like dry cigars, the Gris Gris probably isn’t for you. But here’s the thing: if you pair it with the right beverage, it’s fantastic. I’m smoking this with a rich cup of coffee from Twin Valley Coffee here in Pennsylvania. Fresh roasted beans that I ground myself. The combination works beautifully.

Final Third: Concentrated Flavors

As I approached the band, the flavors felt like they were condensing. The woody notes became more prominent, along with increased saltiness. The dryness reached its peak here. I could definitely see how this might turn off some cigar enthusiasts who prefer creamier, more salivating smokes.

But with my coffee in hand, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The medium body, the hint of pepper on the back end, and those complex shifting flavors all worked together nicely.

The Story Behind the Name

The name “Gris Gris” is a nod to the practice of voodoo in New Orleans. It refers to the “magic” that voodoo can provide. The chicken foot with painted nails on the band is a common voodoo amulet known for providing security and stopping physical threat. It’s a very New Orleans-esque vibe. The band was designed by a local tattoo artist.

According to Kyle, the blend came together in an interesting way. He and Hostos at Tabacalera La Isla worked on a blend during one of Kyle’s trips to the Dominican Republic. They came up with a Maduro-wrapped blend that Kyle was happy with. Later, Kyle stopped by the factory for coffee and a smoke. Hostos rolled a cigar across the desk (this blend, wrapped in a beautiful Indonesian Sumatra wrapper he’d just received). Kyle picked Hostos’s blend over his own, and the Gris Gris was born.

Cigar Specifications

LA Cigar Collective Gris-Gris

Vitola: Toro (6″ x 50)

Wrapper: Indonesian Sumatra

Binder: Nicaraguan Condega

Filler: Nicaraguan Jalapa, Dominican Piloto Cubano & Criollo ’98

Factory: Tabacalera La Isla

Origin: Dominican Republic

MSRP: $11 per cigar ($10 per cigar when purchased by the bundle)

Final Thoughts: Is the Gris Gris Worth It?

I would classify the Gris-Gris as medium-bodied and medium flavored. It’s a good early afternoon or mid-day cigar, especially with a cup of coffee. I’d lean toward a rich medium roast for pairing. Something too dark might compound the dryness and bitterness, amplifying an aspect some smokers might not enjoy.

The $11 price point ($10 by the bundle) is fair, especially considering this is a house blend from an out-of-state shop. I thoroughly enjoy this cigar. But the price tag would prevent it from becoming part of my regular rotation. On average, I’m buying cigars in the $6-$10 range. So at the high end of that spectrum, the Gris Gris becomes more of a supplemental smoke. It is something I’ll pick up from time to time and thoroughly enjoy when I do.

I’ve now smoked four of these cigars. The first was during our podcast recording with Kyle (more for enjoyment than analysis). The second was for a proper review with tasting notes. The third was my first attempt at recording a video review, which went sideways (I was clearly rusty and had to scrap it). And this fourth one while re-recording the video review.

Final Score: 88/100

If you’re interested in trying the Gris Gris, check out LA Cigar Collective’s website. Kyle would be happy to package up a bundle and ship it to you. You can also watch Kyle and Big Rob discuss this cigar in detail on their YouTube video. And if you want to hear our full conversation with Kyle about his shop and his cigars, check out that episode of the Smoke and Steel podcast.

It’s good to be back doing cigar reviews. The Gris Gris proved to be a lot more fun than I thought it would be. I’m not saying I’ll be cranking these out regularly. I don’t have the time I used to before kids. But I enjoyed this enough that I’m looking forward to the next one.

Thanks for hanging out with me. I’ll catch you in the next one.

Watch the LA Cigar Collective Gris Gris Video Cigar Review