Black Dahlia by Gran Habano | Cigar Reviews by HB Cigars

Can't say I know anything about Gran Habano - this is a first time smoke for me, like going on a blind date that your friend set up with their cousin who "has a great personality." But off the bat, this wrapper looks oily and awesome, with construction that screams quality rather than questionable life choices. The Black Dahlia is part of Gran Habano's S.T.K. series (Stay True Kid), which is George Rico's boutique line for small-batch releases. It's named after the dark flower, not the infamous 1947 unsolved murder case, though the mysterious black lacquer box presentation certainly leans into that noir aesthetic.

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🔥 THE VITALS 🔥

Cigar: Black Dahlia Toro

Master Blender: George A. Rico -

Size: Toro (6x54)

Country of Origin: Honduras (Danlí factory)

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Shade-Grown Corojo

Binder: Double Nicaraguan Habano

Filler: Multi-origin blend - Nicaraguan (Habano and Cubita), Colombian, and Costa Rican long-fillers

Strength: Medium

Price: $10-12 per stick

Aging: Small-batch regular production with Boveda packs included in boxes

🚀 WE ARE LIT!

Draw: Absolutely perfect - smooth airflow like a luxury sedan with all the windows down

Burn: Even and consistent with minimal touch-ups needed

Smoke Output: Great production

Ash: Holds well before giving up

That oily wrapper delivers on its visual promise with excellent construction from top to bottom. The S.T.K. series represents George Rico's more refined, boutique approach compared to Gran Habano's regular production line. This cigar uses a double binder system and pulls tobacco from three countries for the filler blend, which is either ambitious craftsmanship or the cigar equivalent of a band bringing together members from different continents. The shade-grown Corojo wrapper comes from Nicaragua despite the Honduras production, adding another layer to this international collaboration.

🎢 FLAVOR JOURNEY

FIRST THIRD: CREAMY CITRUS AWAKENING

cream, cedar, citrus, light pepper

Cream takes center stage immediately alongside clean cedar notes and an unexpected citrus brightness. Light pepper provides gentle spice on the retrohale without overwhelming the palate. The opening is approachable and balanced, like meeting someone's parents who actually seem normal and well-adjusted.

SECOND THIRD: COFFEE SHOP VIBES

roasted coffee, cream, nuts, cedar

Roasted coffee becomes the dominant force as the blend transitions into deeper territory. Cream persists alongside emerging nutty characteristics and cedar maintaining its presence. The flavors develop complexity while staying smooth - this section shows the most personality and refinement of the entire smoke.

FINAL THIRD: EARTH AND EMBERS

charred wood, leather, earth

Charred wood arrives with leather and earth tones defining the closing act. The profile shifts darker and more rustic as the cigar finishes strong without any harshness or heat issues. It sticks the landing like an Olympic gymnast who actually trained instead of just showing up with confidence and a dream.

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🏆 THE VERDICT

A- TIER

Flavor: A-

Construction: A

Availability: B

Price: B+

Final Rating: For a first encounter with Gran Habano's boutique line, the Black Dahlia absolutely delivers. The multi-origin filler blend creates genuine complexity without feeling like a gimmick, and that double binder system clearly contributes to the excellent construction and smoke production. At $10-12 per stick, the pricing sits in that sweet spot where quality exceeds expectations.

📊 BOTTOM LINE

The Gran Habano S.T.K. Black Dahlia proves that George Rico's boutique approach pays dividends in both flavor and construction. The shade-grown Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper looks beautiful and smokes even better, with that oily sheen translating to consistent performance throughout the entire experience. The progression from creamy citrus to roasted coffee to earthy leather shows thoughtful blending rather than random tobacco assembly. Construction is flawless with perfect draw and impressive smoke output that makes you look more important than you actually are. The multi-country filler blend (Nicaragua, Colombia, Costa Rica) adds genuine complexity, with each region contributing distinct characteristics that play well together. This is a cigar that rewards attention - the flavor transitions are subtle but meaningful, building gradually rather than screaming for validation. The S.T.K. series continues to show that small-batch doesn't have to mean overpriced or overhyped. This is approachable enough for newer smokers but offers enough depth to keep experienced enthusiasts engaged. If this is representative of Gran Habano's capabilities, I've been sleeping on this brand like a college student during an 8 AM lecture.

TLDR: Advertised as full bodied but definitely a medium, but still delicious. If you find one, try one.