May 17, 2020 Charlie Minato Cigars,  Limited Edition,  Reviews,  Viaje

Viaje Skull and Bones Bruce Banner 56

At some point, Viaje will run out of names for its Skull and Bones releases. But not today.

Skull and Bones, which debuted a decade ago with a single release known as Daisy Cutter, has largely been associated with various bombs and munitions. There’s been a subseries, usually released around Halloween, centered around a question mark or the name M?stery.

But recently, comic books have started to make their way into the Skull and Bones universe. That started in 2017 with two releases under the name The Hulk, which were sold through Anthony’s Cigar Emporium in Tuscon, Ariz.

Late last year there was Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze and Mephisto, three related characters from the Marvel universe. Then the Hulk returned along with a cigar called Bruce Banner, which is the name of the human that morphs into Hulk.

The cigar being reviewed today is Bruce Banner 56, a 5 1/4 x 56 robusto gordo that was described as a different blend from the regular version of The Hulk. Viaje declined to say what the blend is, but it is priced at $13.20 per cigar and sold in bundles of 25.

Note: The following shows the various Viaje Skull and Bones vitolas. Some of these cigars may have been released after this post was originally published. This picture is not in the correct order. We are working to get an updated picture. The list was last updated on Feb. 7, 2024.

  1. Viaje Skull and Bones Daisy Cutter (4 x 54) — May 2010 — 150 Boxes of 25 Cigars (3,750 Total Cigars)
  2. Viaje Skull and Bones “?” (5 x 54) — October 2010 — 150 Boxes of 25 Cigars (3,750 Total Cigars)
  3. Viaje Skull and Bones MOAB (4 1/4 x 54) — March 2011 — 100 Boxes of 50 Cigars (5,000 Total Cigars)
  4. Viaje Skull and Bones WMD (3 3/4 x 54) — March 2011 — 250 Boxes of 25 Cigars (6,250 Total Cigars)
  5. Viaje Skull and Bones Fat Man (4 1/4 x 56) — August 2011 — 125 Boxes of 25 Cigars (3,125 Total Cigars)
  6. Viaje Skull and Bones Little Boy (4 1/4 x 52) — August 2011 — 125 Boxes of 25 Cigars (3,750 Total Cigars)
  7. Viaje Skull and Bones “?” Box-Pressed (4 1/2 x 54) — October 2011 — 125 Boxes of 25 Cigars (3,125 Total Cigars)
  8. Viaje Skull and Bones “?” (4 1/2 x 54) — October 2011 — 250 Boxes of 25 Cigars (6,250 Total Cigars)
  9. Viaje Skull and Bones WMD (2012) (3 3/4 x 54) — March 2012 —300 Boxes of 25 Cigars (7,500 Total Cigars)
  10. Viaje Skull and Bones MOAB (4 1/2 x 52) — March 2012— 300 Boxes of 25 Cigars (7,500 Total Cigars)
  11. Viaje Skull and Bones FOAB (4 1/2 x 56) — March 2012— 300 Boxes of 25 Cigars (7,500 Total Cigars)
  12. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (4 1/2 x 54) — October 2012 — Undisclosed
  13. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery BP (4 1/2 x 54) — October 2012 — Undisclosed
  14. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery Vintage (4 1/2 x 54) — October 2012 — Undisclosed
  15. Viaje Skull and Bones Fat Man (4 1/4 x 52) — February 2013 — Undisclosed
  16. Viaje Skull and Bones Little Boy (4 1/4 x 56) — February 2013 — Undisclosed
  17. Viaje Skull and Bones Big Ivan (5 x 60) — February 2013 — Undisclosed
  18. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (2013) (4 3/4 x 52) — October 2013 — 200 Boxes of 25 Cigars (5,000 Total Cigars)
  19. Viaje Skull and Bones WMD (2014) (3 3/4 x 54) — February 2014 — 300 Boxes of 25 Cigars (7,500 Total Cigars)
  20. Viaje Skull and Bones FOAB (2014) (4 1/2 x 56) — May 2014 — 300 Boxes of 25 Cigars (7,500 Total Cigars)
  21. Viaje Skull and Bones MOAB (2014) (4 1/2 x 52) — May 2014 — 300 Boxes of 25 Cigars (7,500 Total Cigars)
  22. Viaje Skull and Bones Cloudmaker (5 x 60) — May 2014 — Undisclosed
  23. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (2014) (4 3/4 x 54) — October 2014 — Undisclosed
  24. Viaje Skull and Bones Ten Ton Tess Collector’s Edition (6 x 54) — July 2015 — 1,000 Jars of 19 Cigars (19,000 Total Cigars)
  25. Viaje Skull and Bones Ten Ton Tess Gold Collector’s Edition (6 x 54) — July 2015 — 100 Jars of 19 Cigars (1,900 Total Cigars)
  26. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (4 1/2 x 58) — October 2015 — 300 Boxes of 25 Cigars (7,500 Total Cigars)
  27. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Little Boy (4 1/4 x 52) — February 2016 — Undisclosed
  28. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Fat Man (4 1/4 x 56) — February 2016 — Undisclosed
  29. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Big Ivan (5 x 60) — February 2016 — Undisclosed
  30. Viaje Skull and Bones Daisy Cutter Edición Limitada (4 x 54) — February 2017 — Undisclosed
  31. Viaje Skull and Bones Green The Hulk 56 (5 1/4 x 56) — June 2017 — 50 Bundles of 25 Cigars (1,250 Cigars)
  32. Viaje Skull and Bones Green The Hulk 58 (5 1/4 x 58) — June 2017 — 50 Bundles of 25 Cigars (1,250 Cigars)
  33. Viaje Skull and Bones WMD (2017) (3 3/4 x 54) — June 2017 — Undisclosed*
  34. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (4 1/2 x 58) — October 2018 — Undisclosed
  35. Viaje Skull and Bones FOAB (2019) (4 1/2 x 56) — March 2019 — Undisclosed*
  36. Viaje Skull and Bones MOAB (2019) (4 1/4 x 54) — March 2019 — Undisclosed*
  37. Viaje Skull and Bones Cloudmaker (2019) (5 x 60) — March 2019 — Undisclosed*
  38. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Little Boy (2019) (4 1/4 x 52) — September 2019 — Undisclosed
  39. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Fat Man (2019) (4 1/4 x 56) — September 2019 — Undisclosed
  40. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Big Ivan (2019) (5 x 60) — September 2019 — Undisclosed
  41. Viaje Skull and Bones Johnny Blaze (6 x 56) — December 2019 — Undisclosed
  42. Viaje Skull and Bones Ghost Rider (6 x 56) — December 2019 — Undisclosed
  43. Viaje Skull and Bones Mephisto (6 1/2 x 56) — December 2019 — Undisclosed
  44. Viaje Skull and Bones The Hulk (2020) (5 1/4 x 60) — April 2020 — Undisclosed
  45. Viaje Skull and Bones Bruce Banner (5 1/4 x 56) — April 2020 — Undisclosed
  46. Viaje Skull and Bones Daisy Cutter (2020) (4 x 50) —August 2020 — Undisclosed
  47. Viaje Skull and Bones WMD (2020) (3 3/4 x 52) — August 2020 — Undisclosed
  48. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (6 1/4 x 56) — October 2020 — Undisclosed
  49. Viaje Skull and Bones Frank Castle (6 1/4 x 54) — April 2021 — Undisclosed
  50. Viaje Skull and Bones The Punisher (6 1/4 x 54) — April 2021 — Undisclosed
  51. Viaje Skull and Bones FOAB (2022) (4 1/2 x 56) — February 2022 — Undisclosed
  52. Viaje Skull and Bones MOAB (2022) (4 1/4 x 54) — February 2022 — Undisclosed
  53. Viaje Skull and Bones Cloudmaker (2022) (5 x 60) — February 2022 — Undisclosed
  54. Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery (2022) (5 x 56) — October 2022 — Undisclosed
  55. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Little Boy (2023) (4 1/4 x 52) — April 2023 — Undisclosed
  56. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Fat Man (2023) (4 1/4 x 56) — April 2023 — Undisclosed
  57. Viaje Skull and Bones Red Big Ivan (2023) (5 x 60) — April 2023 — Undisclosed
  58. Viaje Skull and Bones Tsar Bomba Camo Blue (6 x 56) — December 2023 — Undisclosed*
  59. Viaje Skull and Bones Tsar Bomba Camo Gray (6 x 56) — December 2023 — Undisclosed*
  60. Viaje Skull and Bones Tsar Bomba Camo Red (6 x 56) — December 2023 — Undisclosed*

*Not pictured.

88 Overall Score

In the early parts of the Bruce Banner I was reminded of Brooks’ recent review of a Skull and Bones. It seemed like this was very different from the dozens of Skull and Bones that have come before it. It was smooth, detailed and not overpowering. Then my head started showing signs that it might be spinning soon. I can’t think of a cigar that has hidden the nicotine punch quite like this. Unfortunately for both my smoking experience and the final score, one cigar didn’t want to burn. That all being said, I’d gladly smoke another Bruce Banner, it’s one of my favorite Viajes of the last few years, truly something unique. 

  • Cigar Reviewed: Viaje Skull and Bones Bruce Banner 56
  • Country of Origin: Not Disclosed
  • Factory: Not Disclosed
  • Wrapper: Not Disclosed
  • Binder: Not Disclosed
  • Filler: Not Disclosed
  • Length: 5 1/4 Inches
  • Ring Gauge: 56
  • Vitola: Robusto Gordo
  • MSRP: $13.20 (Bundle of 25, $330)
  • Release Date: Not Disclosed
  • Number of Cigars Released: April 2020
  • Number of Cigars Smoked For Review: 3

This is a good looking cigar that reminds me of plenty of Skull and Bones before it, though it maybe doesn’t have as much grit as most of those wrappers. For whatever reason, I seem to be the one reviewing cigars with obvious veins lately and this is no exception. Aroma from the wrapper has lots of barnyard and some yeast that reminds me of classic southern rolls. The foot is quite similar though the yeast roll flavor dominates nearly everything else which is mainly just a little bit of leather. There’s still a strong yeast flavor on the cold draw but it’s joined by pecan rolls and a slight sourness.

Despite that very distinct aroma and flavor on the cold draw, I really can’t pick up that much of it once the Bruce Banner is lit. Instead, there’s some burnt coffee, Corn Flakes and a bit of minerals. Eventually, the yeast flavor comes in, though sometimes it reminds me of a more generic biscuit flavor. It’s joined by redwood, white wine and black pepper. The retrohales of the Skull and Bones provide biscuits, creaminess, lemon, white pepper and some cranberry. The finish continues the biscuit dominance, now joined by leather. Flavor is full, body is full and strength is medium-plus. Construction is great on two cigars while cigar is struggling to stay lit from the jump and tunnels before the cigar hits the one-inch mark.

The second third sees the biscuit flavor get more pronounced, now joined by a sharper lemon, sunflower seeds, and some raspberry iced tea flavor. Retrohaling the Viaje Skull and Bones Bruce Banner delivers a distinct apple cider, honey mustard and some more white pepper. There’s a sourdough bread, earthiness, grains and something that reminds me of the smell of Parmesan cheese on the finish. Flavor and body both remain full. At some point around the halfway mark of the Bruce Banner I realize that the sides of my head are feeling the effects of nicotine. What’s bizarre, however, is that it doesn’t seem like the cigar is all that strong on a puff by puff basis. Construction is similar to the first part—two cigars are great and one cigar is a problem.

For the first time since taking the cigar out of the cellophane, I’m no longer able to get any of the biscuit flavor from the Skull and Bones Bruce Banner. The grain flavor picks up, the lemon sticks around, and there’s some leather. It’s tough to really separate the flavors—and even after 15 puffs—I really am not able to find a consistent number of distinct flavors as the profile is a lot more compact and really just earthy. Retrohales have grain, some mushroom flavor and a bland beef jerky sensation. One of the more noticeable parts of the retrohale is that it leaves a spoiled fruit-like flavor on the finish. If I don’t retrohale, the finish has a saltine flavor with some grapes and earthiness. Flavor and body are both full and while I can’t detect it on a puff by puff basis, the nicotine punch is decidedly full.

Final Notes

  • While I’ve seen my fair share of movies inspired by them, I’m not a comic book person. I did enjoy Netflix’s version of Daredevil and was also watching Arrow—and the associated shows—for a handful of seasons.
  • Much like questions about whether New York City water is key to pizza, there’s a large debate about whether there’s a geographical reason why biscuits in the south taste different than ones made in other places. I remember reading this article that suggested a specific type of flour was key to making a certain style of biscuit and that it isn’t available in many places of the country. There are others that disagree about the White Lily Flour theory.
  • This is a cigar that doesn’t feel that strong until I realize my head is close to spinning. The nicotine is so well hidden, particularly in the first half, that I was surprised as to what was happening during the first sample. With the second and third samples I was on the lookout for the nicotine punches, but it was still a very interesting experience.
  • One sample struggled to stay lit, tunneled and didn’t deliver as clean of a flavor profile. The other two were excellent.
  • Final smoking time averaged two hours and five minutes on average.
  • Cigars for this review were purchased by halfwheel.
  • Site sponsors Cigar Hustler and JR Cigar carries the cigar.
88 Overall Score

In the early parts of the Bruce Banner I was reminded of Brooks’ recent review of a Skull and Bones. It seemed like this was very different from the dozens of Skull and Bones that have come before it. It was smooth, detailed and not overpowering. Then my head started showing signs that it might be spinning soon. I can’t think of a cigar that has hidden the nicotine punch quite like this. Unfortunately for both my smoking experience and the final score, one cigar didn’t want to burn. That all being said, I’d gladly smoke another Bruce Banner, it’s one of my favorite Viajes of the last few years, truly something unique. 

Robusto Gordo Viaje Viaje Skull and Bones Viaje Skull and Bones Bruce Banner 56

Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.

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