When Jake Wyatt Cigar Co. first approached Klaro at PCA 2024 and asked if we wanted to start stocking their stogies, we knew that we had a hit on our hands. However, at the time we didn't know how huge of a homer we had just secured. That, could only be proven in time.
But with Klaro Members raving about each boutique blend, and our reviews of Appendix II, Lucid Interval, and Fourth Dimension pushing the tempo, it became obvious that this creative little company had some serious substance.
However, despite not having the signature Jake Wyatt two-tone wrapper scheme, the cigar known as Icarus from Jake Wyatt is what captured my attention the most. Not so much from a visual angle, but from a blend viewpoint. You don't see Tennessee fire-cured tobacco used in a premium cigar blend all that often, and having the proper counterparts to balance out all that smoky sexiness is essential.
In true Jake Wyatt form, countermeasures were set in place to both control and complement this vibrant-tasting tobacco leaf, and a significant amount of aging was added to the agenda. This meant marrying a Dominican Olor binder to some Piloto Cubano and Criollo '98 long-fillers, adding a pinch of Pennsylvania Broadleaf, and topping it all off with a toffee-colored Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper.
The result? Well, let's just say that there is a reason why this tiny Dominican cigar company continues to surprise, impress, and in many ways, set the standard for what creative tobacco blending can be when done right.
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Unlit Impressions
This is the first cigar that I have reviewed from Jake Wyatt that has not had some form of multi-colored wrapper accentuation somewhere along the outside. Instead, you get a light reddish-brown, almost Rosado-colored light maduro wrapper highlighted by a few lengthy veins and light oiliness. It's a good-looking cigar that is very well rolled, tightly bunched, and borderline perfect in finish from foot to rounded parejo cap.
Light and clean, the wrapper smells nothing like a traditional maduro either, with cedar, leather scrap, and brown sugar being the primary three smells detected. Mesquite smoke from the foot delivers the scents expected elsewhere, and is joined by a shake or two of salty ocean spray, black peppercorns, leather, and the scent of Cheerios. It's not a very sweet-smelling foot though, so I turn toward cold draws, where I am immediately rewarded with loads of flavor.
Smoked peat Scotch whiskey hits first, bringing with it that familiar medicinal, sweet herbal taste we all recognize. The more you tug though, and the more this becomes a deeper, sweeter root beer taste. One that is balanced by dry secondary cedar notes and a light peppery spiciness that is equally enticing and elusive.
Being that this is a Jake Wyatt product, there is the usual QR code on the back of the cigar band that takes you to the cigar's product page, complete with the company's logo in the center of the code. The image of Icarus himself ascending toward the sun, wax feathers affixed to his arched back makes for a striking logo, and I genuinely enjoy the typography and look of the black and gold contrasting colors. Sadly, the band itself is not as premium grade as other JW bands. The heavy gloss of the paper may mimic a piano black finish, but it looks and feels out of place on this stick. Additionally, each cigar I have smoked has suffered from the same silly issue, where the back of the band peels up due to a poorly applied dab of glue, which makes for an uncomfortable grasp while smoking.
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Initial Smoke
Surprisingly sweet, and not a bit spicy whatsoever, light-up is a delicious divergence from what one might expect from something packing Pennsylvania Broadleaf and Piloto Cubano tobacco strains inside.
Still mildly medicinal in a way, the cigar flavor profile begins to build, with a slight mesquite smokiness being the only sign that fire-cured tobacco is inside. The draw is outstanding, retrohales are clean and creamy, and smoke production is medium-plus.
1st Half
The flavor of buttered rum is not something you encounter all that often in cigars. Yet there it is in the first third of this stick, and I am here for it and then some. While the smoky mesquite tastes drift around in the background, tastes of corn flakes, large chunks of cedar, and a spoonful of vanilla venture forth.
Still slightly medicinal, but extremely smooth and round-feeling upon the palate, the stick directs the olfactory senses toward a richer, rounder cigar flavor profile once the second third is reached. Potting soil mixed with clay, a large amount of leather, grassy pasture scents and tastes, and a lingering sweet smokiness all land on the tongue and nose just right. This is an excellent representation of what fire cured cigars can provide the palate when they are done properly, and the smoothness of the smoke swirling about is pure, elegant, and brilliantly balanced.
The draw is still excellent, ash formation is tight and white, and the smoke forming is creamy in a medium-bodied sense of the word. All together, that makes the first half of this stick a sensational experience that is refined, deeply layered, and well-rounded.
2nd Half
Remaining a bit on the buttery side, but ditching the rum entirely, the sweeter profile of the cigar starts to level off and plateau out toward the final moments of the second third. Lemon pepper tanginess and the spiciness that is associated with this kitchen classic work well with the residual grassy flavors, and together they pair perfectly with the smokiness of the Tennessee fire cured cigar taste.
Speaking of which, I have noticed that the fire-cured tobacco flavors within the second half of this blend consistently grow fainter as you go, and by the time the final third is in full swing you really have to search for any sign of the stuff. This is partially due to the increase in the potency of the other tobacco varietals within this blend, with leather and peppercorn flavor and spiciness being the ringleaders. Roasted tea and a touch of light coffee, along with toasted wholegrains and the return of that medicinal sweetness from the first third pull off a last-minute maneuver in the closing section that is both balanced and memorable.
By this point, body, strength, flavor, and finish are all medium-plus in potency, and despite my restraint, the cigar has begun to show signs of overheating. So bear that in mind if you are an aggressive smoker, for there is nothing more frustrating than ruining a cigar by puffing too hard.
Parting Puffs
Rounder, richer, and rolling in root beer and vanilla flavors, parting puffs provide the final transition that you never knew you needed until now. Sweet brown sugar and a funky fermented fruitiness form deeper down in this section, all while the smokiness of the fire-cured cigar flavor profile has pretty much evaporated by this point, the lingering medicinal peatiness upon the plate imparts a pleasant reminder of what once was a primary component.
Ash / Burn / Smoke / Draw
Despite a close call in the second third, where the cigar slowly self-corrected its burn line, my review stick scored high marks for its ability to combust properly and provide pleasurable levels of smoke. Like many of the brand's other offerings, the ash on this cigar grew to a sizable length without breaking and was borderline polar white in most areas. Draw resistance and flow were fantastic after a V-cut from my Overland Pro torch lighter, and the burn rate was slow enough to earn a quick mention.
The major downside to this smoke is, ironically, how fiery hot it burns. While somewhat noticeable in the first half, anything beyond that point ran the risk of becoming quite toasty if not careful. Heat was not just detectable on the tongue, but in the hand and nostrils as well. Even with properly spaced pulls set in place, the heat flowing forth was a bit much on each cigar smoked, and in the final third I found myself using my iron ashtray more frequently than usual to protect my fingers.
Final Thoughts
Even though the Italians have their own approach to making the stuff, fire-cured tobacco has found a permanent a home in North America. In fact, one might say that Tennessee fire cured cigars are as American as baseball by this point, which coincidentally is the favorite pastime of Jake Wyatt's founders.
Like baseball, having a well-balanced team that can work together is the key to winning, which for Icarus, that means one homer after another. This is a premium cigar blend that keeps its smokiness in check by loading you up with lots of unique flavors, some of which you may not expect.
Was I disappointed by how the smoky fire cured cigar flavor profiles gradually faded away in the second half each time I smoked this cigar? Yes. Does the wrapper taste and smell very maduro-like? Not really. Were my fingers and tongue singed by the heat of the cigar quite a few times? Unfortunately so. And do you know what? I would eagerly sign up to do it all over again.
There's substance to this cigar. Depth, complexity, cleanliness, and construction are all in their proper place and patiently waiting. All you have to do is heed the call and head straight for the sun.
Flavor, Aroma & Transitions

Depth & Complexity

Construction, Burn & Physical Appeal

Backstory & Branding

Overall Balance & Repeatability

Stogie Specs
Cigar |
Jake Wyatt "Icarus" |
Wrapper |
San Andrés Maduro (Mexico) |
Binder |
Olor (Dominican Republic) |
Filler |
Piloto Cubano & Criollo '98 (Dominican Republic) Pennsylvania Broadleaf & Tennessee Fire Cured (USA) |
Factory |
Dominican Republic |
Size |
6″ x 54 (Toro) |
Strength |
Medium-Full |
Pairing Drink |
Homemade Ginger & Citrus Soda |
Rating |
4.5/5 |