Mission Zero
Out of all of the boutique cigar makers rolling sticks down in the Dominican Republic, there is no comparison to Valentino Siesto. Not so much from a superiority level, but from a quality control and uniqueness viewpoint. There's just something about this cigar maker that makes each stick we smoke from them feel a bit special.
While premium packaging and banding certainly are a key focal point of each blend brought forth by Valentino Siesto, the tobacco used is why we are all here today. Although the absolutely outstanding Robusto Connecticut PCA 2025 vitola they produced was extremely well received by our Klaro Crew, it was the Premium Series Maduro that has continued to sell out ever since we slapped it up on the website. Full from every angle, and packed with darkness and depth, this blend is everything that meaty maduro fans fiend for in a cigar.
But what if I told you that there was a blend from this same cigar manufacturer that toed the line between the two smokes we just mentioned? A dark cigar that is medium in body, strength, and flavor, with more of a mineral and earthen terroir touch than a bittersweet chocolate bar bite. Say hello to the Nero Black from Valentino Siesto. A sun-grown smoke that was the Klaro Cigar of the Month for April 2026 and our "Standout Cigar of the Show" at PCA 2025.
Although our Klaro Members already got the chance to puff this masterpiece, they did so just prior to the blend being released on the market. Essentially, we were able to broker a deal that allowed us to receive a shipment of the Nero Black a full year prior to it hitting the U.S. market, thus allowing us to place another dozen months of age on each stick. Now that the blend is up for grabs on the website, it's time for an official review, because there is a lot to appreciate in this smoke, as you shall soon see...
Unlit Impressions
One of the first things that people notice about smokes from Valentino Siesto is the quality of the bands that have been placed on each cigar. Textured, thick stock paper that's gilded in gold, but also matte in areas; the classiness associated with their cigars demands to be accounted for in an assessment. The walnut brown-colored wrapper on the Nero Black seems all the more striking with that black band encircling it, with a medium amount of oils causing the bulging veins down the barrel to look all the more meaty.
Caramel-coated pralines, teases of baking cocoa powder, nutmeg, Nutella, and a mid-grade soil note serve up a pleasant, if a bit too-familiar series of smells to the nostrils. In search of a bit more olfactory action? Snort that foot, and you'll likely find frothed milk, sour cherry, dry cedar, and some hazelnut paste. There's also this sweet, bready, eggy aromatic that makes me think of French toast fresh off the iron griddle, right before it gets slathered with syrup.
Take a tug of that cut or punched cap, and out comes some seriously loamy soil, accompanied by a hit of toasty cedar, some sun-grown tobacco leather and spice, dried hazelnuts, and an unexpectedly tame finish. It's neither sweet nor salty, and while there is some spice to be tasted, the tobacco is not something one would consider spicy. Centered and well-structured, you can already tell that you are in for a clean smoke session even before the torch is lit.
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- Wrapper
- Sun-Grown (Ecuador)
- Binder
- Dominican Republic
- Filler
- Dominican Republic
- Origin
- Dominican Republic
Initial Smoke
Peppercorn-powered and distinctly mineral in nature, those first few puffs push well past medium in strength and spiciness. Retrohales manage to de-escalate the situation somewhat by throwing some vintage cedar humidor notes at the nose, which flows into this crisp and controlled finishing note. Soon, loamy soil makes the mildly sweet smoke taste more well-rounded, and a cooling effect begins to take place.
1st Half
Exotic Sri Lankan spices pulled straight from the cupboard, leather and loam, stronger servings of mineral, and card stock swiftly shift the senses toward a fresh series of smells and tastes. There's a scattering of cinnamon and allspice deeper within the stick, and as retrohales roll out the aromatics, a toastier, warming effect flows forward. But instead of growing spicier, heavier, or more intense, the blend settles into a measured mixture of medium, allowing you to focus on those easy pulls and plush plumes of smoke.
Cedar growing sweeter, and flavors of artisanal bread baking on the stone behind it, the second third throws the first transition at you with an underhanded toss. The loamy soil has taken on an almost mushroom-like meatiness, and with the freshly turned soil tastes tucking in behind it works incredibly well. With the finish growing spicier, and the body of the blend remaining medium, the move toward the final third feels like it is going to be big.
2nd Half
But as the blend burns past the center of the barrel, bold flavors of walnuts and a more floral focal point begin to burst forth. It's an odd pairing for sure, but with all of the mineral moving about, it somehow works, and the creaminess from those walnut tastes turns the texture of the smoke into an even more enjoyable experience.
By the time you reach the last third, it's all tree nuts and dried flower bouquets, with a spicier, toastier aftertaste turning up the heat. Scents of dried autumn foliage and heavier, oiled leather lick the nostrils, as stronger servings of previously recognized tasting notes turn the whole blend into a larger interpretation of itself. However, the finish on the cigar somehow stays on the mellow side, softening the blow each time you exhale, while simultaneously keeping the cigar on medium-to-medium-full turf.
Parting Puffs
Heavier on the mineral like never before, and still walnut strong, the final stage of this cigar is bold but not overburdening on the palate. Spicy cedar retrohales and an equally fiery cinnamon note feed off the earthier flavors found on the tongue, resulting in a fermented tanginess that is pleasant, if but a touch potent.
Ash / Burn / Smoke / Draw
Even with some minor burn concerns in the second half, this little robusto marched onward without any need for a touch of the torch. In fact, I found myself fretting more over the excessive use of glue on that pretty paper band than I did the combustion of the cigar. So in essence, another example of a good burner from Valentino Siesto.
Final Thoughts
Outside of the rich smoke encountered while puffing Certitude by Chateau Diadem, I have yet to encounter a more mineral-strong cigar than the one seen here. But unlike Certitude, this blend is not nearly as in-your-face, and remains medium everywhere you look for much of the time.
In fact, this cigar burns so clean, and remains so stable in nature, that it really doesn't require much from the smoker in regard to consideration or upkeep. It's one of those middle-of-the-road blends that provides the flavors and aromas that we want without all of the uncertainty or searching. Some may consider this to be unexciting in a sense, but I find it to be incredibly reassuring, adding further levels of relaxation to an already enjoyable smoke session.
While I normally would be inclined to complain about the lack of sweetness within the stick, I didn't find myself fretting over it all that much, for everything that was being provided kept me satisfied. This was not only the case with my review cigar, but with every other smoke I sparked, giving me all the more reason to recommend it and reach for another when I am in the mood for something a notch or two milder than Valentino Siesto's maduro offering.
Stogie Specs
| Cigar | Valentino Siesto "Nero Black" |
| Wrapper | Sun-Grown (Ecuador) |
| Binder | Dominican Republic |
| Filler | Dominican Republic |
| Factory | Dominican Republic |
| Size | 5″ x 50 (Robusto) |
| Strength | Medium |
| Pairing Drink | Red Shiso Basil Virgin Paloma |
| Rating | 4.5/5 |
- Wrapper
- Sun-Grown (Ecuador)
- Binder
- Dominican Republic
- Filler
- Dominican Republic
- Origin
- Dominican Republic
Experience bold sophistication with the Valentino Siesto Nero Black Series, a cigar crafted for those who appreciate depth, balance, and refined intensity. Wrapped in a dark, oily sun-grown wrapper leaf, this robusto offers a striking appearance and a luxurious smoking experience from start to finish. Each draw reveals rich notes of bittersweet cocoa, mild espresso, subtle spice, and plenty of mineral and earth notes for added complexity, all without overpowering the palate.
As the cigar develops, deeper, smoother earthy undertones emerge, creating a well-rounded and evolving profile that keeps every moment engaging. Expertly constructed for an even burn and consistent draw, the Nero Black Series is an excellent choice for both seasoned aficionados and those looking to explore fuller-bodied cigars without going too heavy. Perfect for pairing with a fine whiskey or a dark coffee, this standout is a worthy addition to any humidor.
