Powstanie Wojtek 2023

Powstanie

• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos NicaSueño S.A.
• Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano) & Mexico (San Andrés)
• Binder: Indonesia
• Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
• Length: 5 1/2 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 46
• Vitola: Corona Gorda
• MSRP: $13.40 (Box of 21, $281.40)
• Release Date: September 2023
• Number of Cigars Released: 500 Boxes of 21 Cigars (10,500 Total Cigars)
• Original Score: 91

There are numerous cigars that we reviewed in 2023 with interesting backstories or inspirations for their names, but few are likely considered to be quite as interesting as that of the Powstanie Wojtek. The limited edition, which debuted in 2019, gets its name from a Syrian brown bear purchased as a cub by Polish soldiers during World War II.

The bear would go on to be enlisted in the military at the rank of private, eventually being promoted to the rank of corporal due to his role in moving ammunition during the Battle of Monte Cassino. Following the war, Wojtek lived out the rest of his life at the Edinburgh Zoo.

The fourth installment in the series—there wasn’t a release in 2022—the Powstanie Wojtek 2023 garnered points for its ability to blend sweetness, most commonly identified as marshmallow, with a restrained yet engaging spice and pepper, giving the cigar a bit of yin and yang that results in engaging complexity. I also noted its ability to execute its fundamental flavors with near-flawless balance and no harshness or nicotine punch, which made it stand out and earn a place on this list. — Patrick Lagreid.