Review of Cavalier Project Broadleaf Skywalker
The Guest of Honor Arrives
Nights at The Oasis have become something of a sacred ritual. As the garage door to my backyard sanctuary rolls up, the congregation of forty-something refugees from responsibility filter in, each bearing their preferred libation and the unmistakable air of men who've just escaped the gravitational pull of endless Zoom meetings. "Now where's my cutter," I mutter, patting down pockets while surveying the stinky cigar ashtray that's become something of a conversation piece among our group.
Tonight's guest of honor arrived in an understated box that belied the complexity within – the Cavalier-Project-broadleaf-Skywalker. A name that somehow manages to invoke both boutique craftsmanship and sci-fi nostalgia in the same breath. When Tommy handed them out, eyebrows raised with intrigue, and the usual chatter momentarily ceased. Even our resident skeptic – he who perpetually claims every cigar tastes "pretty much the same" – leaned forward with curiosity.
"These are something special," Tommy assured us, with the confident tone of a man who's smoked enough cigars to know the difference. "Found them through some connections in the Cartel." The Idaho Cigar Cartel, his Facebook group that's grown into something of a regional institution for serious cigar enthusiasts, has become our pipeline to discoveries like this.
Indeed. The Force would need to be strong with this one.
Appearance & Construction: The Outer Manifestation
The Cavalier Project Broadleaf Skywalker presents itself in a substantial toro format (6 × 54), draped in a deep, chocolate-brown Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper that's riddled with prominent veins like a roadmap of character. The wrapper itself carries an oily sheen that catches the light of our fire pit, creating an almost iridescent quality as it's rotated.
The construction feels like a well-engineered German automobile – substantial weight, perfectly balanced, with a cap applied with such precision you could calibrate laboratory equipment with it. Running my fingers along its surface reveals a firmness reminiscent of a memory foam mattress – giving just enough to promise comfort without suggesting structural weakness.
"That's what craftsmanship looks like," observed our resident woodworker, who appreciates fine construction in all its forms. The seams are nearly invisible, and the wrapper has been applied with a tension that brings to mind a perfectly tuned guitar string – taut enough to perform beautifully, but not so tight as to risk breakage.
The cold aroma from the foot delivers pronounced notes of barnyard, dark chocolate, and an earthy sweetness that hints at molasses and dried fruit. The pre-light draw offers resistance comparable to sipping a perfectly made milkshake through a straw – substantial enough to make you work just slightly, but not frustratingly so.
First Third: Opening Statements
After toasting the foot with deliberate care, the initial draws produce smoke volume that transforms our gathering into what appears to be a meeting of steam locomotive enthusiasts. The Skywalker produces billowing clouds that hang in the evening air like thought bubbles from a contemplative comic book character.
The flavor profile opens with a surprising lack of aggression given the cigar's imposing appearance. Rather than the expected broadleaf pepper-bomb, the Skywalker begins its journey with a nuanced mixture of dark cocoa, espresso beans, and a subtle dried cherry note that weaves in and out of perception. The retrohale delivers a controlled spice reminiscent of the precise amount of red pepper flakes that elevate a pizza from good to memorable.
"There's more leather in this than my first car," quipped our automotive enthusiast friend, who wasn't entirely wrong. A rich leather foundation supports the evolving flavor profile, but it's a refined leather – more "new luxury messenger bag" than "baseball glove left in the rain."
The burn line establishes itself with the precision of a surveyor's transit, creating an ash structure that resembles architectural concrete – densely packed, light gray with occasional darker striations, and showing absolutely no inclination to surrender to gravity despite our best efforts to provoke it.
"That ash is holding on tighter than my teenager grips their phone during dinner," observed one of our dads, earning knowing nods all around.
The draw remains consistent throughout the first third – effortless without being loose, delivering ample smoke with each pull. The smoke itself has a weighty texture that feels substantial on the palate, like the difference between skim milk and heavy cream.
Second Third: Character Development
As we transition to the second third, the Skywalker undergoes a transformation as dramatic as the plot twist in Empire Strikes Back. The initial cocoa and espresso notes begin to evolve toward a more complex array of flavors, introducing toasted almonds, a hint of cinnamon, and a fascinating umami quality reminiscent of perfectly seared mushrooms.
The strength begins its gradual climb from medium to medium-full, though never in a way that overwhelms or dominates the experience. Rather, it's a measured intensification that parallels the depth of conversation around our fire pit – starting with workplace anecdotes and gradually progressing to existential reflections on the nature of time's acceleration post-forty.
"Is it me, or does this cigar taste exactly like the way Saturday mornings felt when we were ten?" asked our group's philosopher, somehow making perfect sense to all of us.
The burn continues its impeccable performance, requiring not a single touch-up despite the occasional gust of wind testing its resilience. The ash finally relinquishes its grip after an impressive two inches, falling with the tragic dignity of a Shakespearean hero.
The complexity in this segment reminds me why certain cigars justify their price point. The layers unfold like a well-crafted novel, revealing new elements with each chapter without losing the narrative thread that makes the experience cohesive.
Final Third: The Resolution
Entering the final stretch, the Cavalier Project Broadleaf Skywalker reaches its full potential. The strength settles firmly into the medium-full category, while the body of the smoke achieves a richness that coats the palate with impressive persistence.
The flavor profile in this final act pivots again, introducing dark molasses, espresso crema, black pepper, and something reminiscent of bitter orange peel. The sweetness that flickered throughout the earlier portions now finds balance against a more pronounced earthy foundation, creating a tension that keeps the experience engaging down to the final inch.
"This cigar finishes stronger than I did in my last 5K," remarked our running enthusiast between appreciative puffs.
Even as we approach the nub, the Skywalker maintains its structural integrity and avoids the tarry bitterness that often plagues lesser cigars in their final moments. The smoke remains cool, and the draw never tightens uncomfortably – a testament to the blender's understanding of combustion dynamics and proper tobacco placement.
The burn line stays impressively even until the very end, requiring no maintenance throughout the entire 80-minute experience. As I finally set the nub down with reluctance, there's a moment of collective appreciation around our gathering.
"That," declared our most taciturn member, "was worth setting the alarm an hour earlier tomorrow."
Tommy nodded with the satisfied expression of someone who's successfully matched the right cigar to the right crowd. "Told you guys these were special," he said, scrolling through his phone to make a note in what we all assume is his encyclopedic catalog of cigar experiences.
From him, there is no higher praise.
Technical Performance: The Mechanics Behind the Magic
The technical merits of the Cavalier Project Broadleaf Skywalker deserve special recognition. Throughout the experience, this cigar displayed:
Burn Line: As straight as the horizon on a calm sea, requiring zero touch-ups across the entire smoking duration. The evenness persisted even when neglected during particularly animated debates about whether Die Hard is actually a Christmas movie. (It is.)
Ash Structure: Reminiscent of compacted titanium – dense, cohesive, and determined to remain attached until reaching a length that induces anxiety in anyone sitting nearby.
Draw: Calibrated with a precision that suggests the roller must have earned previous degrees in fluid dynamics. Consistent from first light to final puff, delivering the perfect ratio of resistance to smoke production.
Smoke Output: Generous but not overwhelming – sufficient to satisfy the senses without transforming our sanctuary into a foggy London street scene.
Combustion Temperature: Maintained the ideal heat zone that extracted maximum flavor without creating the mouth-scorching effect that ruins the final third of lesser products.
Construction Integrity: Not a single wrapper crack, unraveling issue, or tunneling problem. The cigar maintained its structural cohesion like a veteran sports team in a championship game.
Flavor Profile: The Tasting Notes
For those who appreciate a more structured breakdown of the flavor journey:
First Third:
Dark cocoa powder
Espresso beans
Dried cherry
Rich leather
Subtle cedar
Second Third:
Toasted almonds
Cinnamon
Umami (seared mushrooms)
Dark roast coffee
Caramelized sugar
Leather (evolving from raw to polished)
Final Third:
Dark molasses
Espresso crema
Black pepper
Bitter orange peel
Cedar
Earth
Dark chocolate (85%+ cacao)
Value Assessment: The ROI of Relaxation
At approximately $14-16 per stick (depending on your local tax situation), the Cavalier Project Broadleaf Skywalker positions itself in the premium-but-not-unobtainable category. For the quality of construction, consistency, and complexity of flavor delivered, this represents a solid value proposition.
As our accountant friend noted while examining the band, "Dollar for dollar, this delivers more satisfaction than most things I've spent fifteen bucks on recently."
The price point makes it inappropriate for yard work or driving range sessions, but perfectly suited for dedicated enjoyment when you actually have the time to appreciate its nuances – exactly the kind of experience our Thursday gatherings are designed to facilitate.
Pairing Suggestions: Complementary Companions
The Skywalker's complex profile pairs remarkably well with several libations:
Bourbon: A wheated bourbon with moderate proof (90-100) complements without overwhelming, highlighting the cigar's sweeter notes while adding caramel complexity.
Rum: An aged rum (particularly something with 12+ years) enhances the molasses and dried fruit qualities beautifully.
Coffee: A medium-dark roast with minimal sugar allows the cigar's inherent sweetness to shine while the coffee accentuates the cocoa elements.
Craft Root Beer: Surprisingly effective, with the vanilla notes in a quality root beer creating fascinating interactions with the cigar's spice components.
During our session, the consensus favorite pairing emerged as the 12-year aged rum, which seemed to elevate the experience in ways that had even our whiskey devotees contemplating a temporary defection.
Comparable Experiences: The Peer Group
For those looking to explore similar territory, the Cavalier Project Broadleaf Skywalker shares DNA with several notable cigars:
It carries the richness of the Liga Privada No. 9 but with more refined transitions between flavor profiles.
It delivers complexity comparable to the Padron 1964 Anniversary but at a more accessible price point.
The construction quality rivals Arturo Fuente OpusX while offering a less aggressive strength profile.
The broadleaf characteristics evoke Foundation's The Tabernacle but with a more distinctive final third.
None of these comparisons capture the Skywalker's unique personality perfectly, but they provide useful reference points for those attempting to place this experience within the broader cigar landscape.
The Verdict: Final Thoughts from The Oasis
As our gathering wound down and the last drops of spirits were savored, the unanimous verdict emerged: the Cavalier Project Broadleaf Skywalker had earned its place in our rotation. Not as a daily driver, but as a recurring special guest – the kind of experience that elevates an ordinary get-together into something worth remembering.
"It's like when you find a new album and immediately know several tracks are making it onto your permanent playlist," observed our music aficionado, capturing the sentiment perfectly.
The Skywalker delivers enough complexity to engage the experienced palate while remaining approachable enough not to alienate newer enthusiasts. Its technical execution reflects the care of its creators, and its flavor journey provides the kind of narrative arc that keeps you engaged throughout the experience.
On the Brown's Life Rating Scale, the Cavalier Project Broadleaf Skywalker earns a rock-solid 92/100 – exceptional without venturing into the rarified territory reserved for cigars that fundamentally alter your perception of what tobacco can achieve.
It's a cigar that doesn't demand a special occasion but rather creates one through its mere presence – exactly the kind of magic we seek each Thursday at The Oasis.
Connect & Continue the Conversation
Enjoyed this review? Have you experienced the Cavalier Project Broadleaf Skywalker yourself? I'd love to hear your thoughts and continue the conversation:
For more reviews, lifestyle insights, and the occasional philosophical rambling from the edge of my fire pit, visit Brown's Life and Beyond the Humidor.
And if you're looking to discover more exceptional cigars like this one, be sure to check out the Idaho Cigar Cartel – Tommy Ellege's growing community of dedicated cigar enthusiasts who know how to find the good stuff.
Until next gathering – may your cuts be clean, your lights be even, and your ash defy gravity.
