601 Snakebite

601 Snakebite

• Strength: 4/ 5
• Size: 5 x 52
• Origin: Nicaragua
• Price (local): $4.00
• Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra
• Flavor Text:

Venomously flavorful 

601 cigars can do anything they want. It’s true – just check out some of Erik Espinosa’s past work. From the straight-laced Blue and Red Label, to the wild Wasabi, Espinosa is a font of great ideas, and today, we’re checking out his most recent blend: 601 Snakebite. Dismiss this cigar as a gimmick and you’d be dead wrong, my friend. Snakebite is the newest premium offering from Espinosa’s La Zona factory, and it’s good. Damn good indeed. 

Up front with 601 Snakebite you’ll find a deep, dark Sumatra wrapper leaf that’s been aged to perfection. Joined by binder and long-filler grown in the rich, volcanic soils of Esteli, Nicaragua, it’s no wonder this stick packs so much flavor. You might be expecting a powerhouse blend here, but it’s actually more of a medium-bodied morsel. Flavors of buttery smooth spice match up with leather and dark espresso to deliver a complex and enjoyable ride. 

I've gotta be one of the biggest 601 fanboys on the internet. A few months ago, I smoked a 601 Maduro and I wrote that it was one of the best cigars I've ever smoked, and certainly the best Maduro I've ever sampled. I ordered a 601 Sampler off of CigarBid recently and they arrived last night, so I grabbed one I've never tried and anxiously lit it up to really give the brand the fair shake it deserves. So far, so good; the 601 Snakebite is a delicious Sumatra-wrapped offering from the company, and the first in a long line of cigars I've yet to sample. This was a sterling introduction to exploring the brand further.

This cigar is about a four out of five on the body scale, and if I had to really zero in on the strength of this one, I'd say it's probably a touch lower than that rating. That said, it is certainly a medium-body cigar, and one that most intermediate smokers should be able to handle well. I smoked a Robusto, as I ordered a Robusto Sampler from 601 to really get a good idea of what each cigar offers in terms of note and flavor, and I'm pleased to say that this cigar really translated its flavor to me very well. There is definitely some spice to be had, and while it's not the most peppery cigar on the block, the cigar definitely has some kick to it. The smoke is creamy, thick and rather smooth. The retro hale does not offer any significant punches from the tobacco, but instead offers a lovely aftertaste on the palate. There is certainly some citrus to this blend, but it isn't overwhelming; I'd suggest paying close attention at the end of the exhale to really try to dig for some of the flavors to be found in this one. Among the citrus, you may also find some butter, cream, a pinch of black pepper and some wood before you reach that point.

601 is a pretty under-represented brand in cigars, and I'm not sure why. I do know it's a bit mainstream, but I never, ever see these smokes at retail. It is always in the boutique or unique cigar shops that I find these, and often times, if I want some more obscure ones, I have to go searching on the internet. Of all of the brands I have ever smoked, the 601 has consistently offered cigars I love and find no real fault with. I've had their Oscuro, Maduro and now the Sumatra (Snakebite,) and there is something to love about every single one. I loved this one as a perfect medium-body smoke, and if you avoid the strong stuff and have outgrown the milder smokes, you'll certainly need to try this one too. It's cheap and easily found online, so I'd recommend it as a starting point if you're venturing into 601.

Happy smoking! CB