I have a confession to make: At $70 per stick, the Bomba Orange is the priciest cigar I have ever smoked. Moreover, as the song would have it, I am “a man of means by no means,” so I’ll likely never make this or any other ultra-ultra-premium cigar my go-to daily smoke. And although I did not have to pay out of pocket for the samples that El Septimo mailed me, the dear cost attached to them preyed on my mind as I approached this review. Still, I realize I had better get used to expensive cigars, because they are becoming more commonplace—in line with the cost of living overall. Consumers are growing inured to higher prices in all things, from rents and mortgages to automobiles to a burger and fries. Why would fine cigars be exempt? The El Septimo website calls the Bomba Orange “annoyingly perfect” and “the GOAT of all cigars”—statements equally as bold as the asking price. This kind of advance billing certainly conjures anticipation of an interesting smoke, to say the least.
Visually, the Bomba Orange presents a seductive and tasteful appearance. A black-on-gold primary band says “El Septimo Geneva,” but in fact this cigar was handcrafted (via the traditional entubar method) at one of three Costa Rican factories at the company’s disposal. The beautiful orange-on-gold secondary band says “Bomba Orange – Zaya Collection – 15 Year Tobacco,” which offers clues as to the pricing: When a company owner puts his own name on a cigar, and packs it with leaf aged for 15 years, we are surely looking at a signature product. I poured myself a cup of hot, black Colombia Supremo and got this examination under way with high hopes.
On close inspection, it becomes instantly clear that this cigar is abundantly packed with leaf. There’s nothing spongy here. In fact, the Bomba Orange carries the substantial feel of a hickory stick. Out of the cellophane, this torpedo weighs in at 23.4 grams, and feels burly in the hand when you wave it about. Pre-light, the Bomba Orange exudes scents typical of long-aged tobacco, particularly the aromas of leather and plowed earth. In appearance, the cigar evinces every sign of painstaking construction. Veins and seams make minimal appearances, and the dark, oily wrapper leaf presents a shiny hue.
The foot of the cigar is closed with a tuft of wrapper leaf twisted over the end into the tiniest of pigtails. I highly esteem shaggy and closed-foot cigars, because I relish blazing up that cowlick of leaf during the lighting process. Ideally, it provides a volatile “kindling,” which aids the achievement of a solid, uniform light. And so it was here: I had two four-inch wood matches at the ready, but only needed one to toast this cigar and then achieve a nice, even glow. With a guillotine cutter, I had lopped off a quarter inch of the head, producing a free and easy draw.
First puffs brought a satisfying flood of black coffee flavors to complement and marry with my cup—or maybe I was getting more like the taste of black coffee with a teaspoonful of Chocolate Bailey’s added in—and an earthy, leathery undertone furnishing a pleasant baseline. Immediately I could tell, the Bomba Orange is no novice’s cigar. Rather, I would call this an assertive smoke, with medium-full flavor at the outset and a retrohale both peppery and stout.
In 20 minutes’ time any chocolate had retreated, and the coffee and leather were at center stage, mingling with hints of cedar and hazelnut. Smoke output is generous, but not so much that it fogs up the room. The burn line is a bit asymmetrical, yet so far within the bounds of acceptable behavior. Ten minutes later it’s already straightening itself. On pouring a second cup of coffee at the half-hour mark, I notice that one corner of wrapper leaf has started peeling up halfway between the burn line and the secondary band, but the condition doesn’t appear to be worsening. The inch-plus of solid gray ash falls with a thud completely on its own at the 42-minute mark—fortunately, right into my ashtray. (Well, it was more than dumb luck. I had the ashtray positioned beneath the cigar, figuring the moment had to be drawing near. It’s not my first rodeo, as they say.)
At 50 minutes, things are proceeding splendidly. The burn line a still a bit wavy, but it’s nothing that requires any touch-up. The flavors are deepening and sweetening (now with a hint of buttered croissant); and the lingering, aged-tobacco finish just keeps growing more rich with a ghost of caramel and toast. The primary coffee taste has now become a strong, unsweetened espresso with cedar and leather—all good, and all within the expected (and advertised) medium-full range. Somewhat surprisingly, thus far I have not heard a peep out of the vitamin N. It’s been all flavor…and the smoke output is thicker and chewier than ever.
At one hour the burn line—straighter all the time—has overtaken the little flap of peeled wrapper and consumed it without incident. I decide to tap a second chunk of ash into my ashtray and undertake the delicate task of removing the secondary band, which is now less than a half-inch from the fire. I needn’t have worried, as it popped right off like a champ, doing no violence to the warm wrapper leaf. Four inches of cigar to go. This baby is going to cruise for a while.
At 90 minutes it’s about time to remove the primary band, which comes off without a hitch. Now the espresso flavor is downright strong—I’m talking 10 out of 10 (I repeat: The Bomba Orange is not a likely match for beginning smokers)—but still rich and delicious. One saving grace for my lightweight sensibilities is that I don’t need to puff constantly to keep this heavy hitter lit. The long-lived aftertaste, all alone, is as flavorful as a full puff on some cigars. With 2 ½ inches of cigar still remaining, the strong flavor is transitioning with the introduction of sweeter notes: buttered pancake, toasted bagel, walnut. Fascinating.
One hour and 50 minutes into the smoke, the Bomba is driving forward into the nub stage, still acceptably cool to the touch. To my palate, this is now a full-flavored cigar…but as noted, I am a bit of a lightweight. The aftertaste is a full-immersion bath of warmth and sweetness, like fresh-baked sweet potato pie. It was not until 127 minutes in that my fingertips told me it was time to set down the nub of this wonderful cigar; and even 20 minutes after that, the aftertaste continues to pay dividends.
I cannot emphasize enough that this is a cigar strictly meant for grown-ups—a cigar fully the equal of any heavy dinner with desserts and cognac, where weighty matters of state and finance are decided. To waste such a cigar on a frivolous occasion would be a sin. I am deeply impressed, and vastly relieved to report that such a lavish budget item delivers in full measure on its lofty promises. Bravo, El Septimo!
El Septimo Bomba Orange
- 6.5” x 60
- Wrapper: Costa Rican
- Binder: Dominican Republic
- Fillers: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica
- Manufactured: Costa Rica
- Original release date: 2005
- $70 MSRP per single, $700 MSRP per 10-count box
- Smoking time: 127 minutes
– Samples courtesy of the Younan Company. Photography and review by William C. Nelson
This story first appeared in PCA The Magazine, Volume 1, 2024. To receive a copy of this magazine you must be a current member of PCA. Join or renew today at premiumcigars.org/membership.