Skoll, by Family x Loyalty Cigars
Þá mælti Gangleri: "Skjótt ferr sólin ok nær svá sem hon sé hrædd, ok eigi mundi hon þá meir hvata göngunni at hon hræddisk bana sinn."
Þá svarar Hár: "Eigi er þat undarligt at hon fari ákafliga. Nær gengr sá er hana sœkir, ok øngan útveg á hon nema renna undan."
Þá mælti Gangleri: "Hverr er sá er henni gerir þann ómaka?"
Hár segir: "Þat eru tveir úlfar, ok heitir sá er eptir henni ferr Sköll. Hann hræðisk hon, ok hann mun taka hana. En sá heitir Hati Hróðvitnisson er fyrir henni hleypr, ok vill hann taka tunglit, ok svá mun verða."
Then said Gangleri: "The sun fares swiftly, and almost as if she were afraid: she could not hasten her course any the more if she feared her destruction."
Then Hárr made answer: "It is no marvel that she hastens furiously: close cometh he that seeks her, and she has no escape save to run away."
Then said Gangleri: "Who is he that causes her this disquiet?"
Hárr replied: "It is two wolves; and he that runs after her is called Skoll; she fears him, and he shall take her. But he that leaps before her is called Hati Hródvitnisson. He is eager to seize the moon; and so it must be.
I am excited to begin reviewing three new blends by Family x Loyalty Cigars, which follow Geri and Freki in carrying the names of the wolves of Norse mythology. Today I begin with the One Who Mocks, called Skoll, the wolf who chases the Sun and will devour her at Ragnarok.
Cigar: Hati, by Family x Loyalty Cigars
Vitola: Robusto (5” x 52)
Price: $10.75
Origin: Unknown
Wrapper: Brazilian Cubra
Binder: Criollo ‘98
Filler: Corojo, Nicaragua
Body: Medium-Full
Rating (out of 10): 9.9
Appearance:
Skoll features the standard blue-on-silver Family x Loyalty brand footband, and a bright black-on-yellow primary band with Norse/Celtic-style knotwork borders.
The wrapper is medium-brown in color, with a golden tint to it. The seams are nearly impossible to discern, and the cap is perfectly placed.
Construction:
This is a well balanced stick, and shows no visible flaws.
Aroma:
I get very faint notes of chocolate and raisins from the barrel, and plenty of hay at the foot, with a little cedar as well.
First Third:
I feel like I should cut this one with an axe, but since I don’t have one handy, my Xikar XO will do just fine.
The cold draw is nice and open, and tastes of chocolate and raisin.
On lighting, there’s definitely cedar on the profile, and a pinch of salt on the finish.
Some pops of hot pepper, too. Skoll is quick to reveal it is deserving of its name.
Nice, even burn line, and a nearly-white ash that bears just the slightest flakes around the edges but is otherwise firm and solid.
That pepper is in and out, it’s very nice. It’s like the wolf, nipping at Sunna’s heels.
Second Third:
Consistent flavor moving into the second third, primarily cedar, with salt and hot pepper on the finish.
Nice, rich smoke, aggressive and flavorful.
I’m only about halfway through, and already wishing I had more of these. Guess I know what I’m doing with my re-enlistment bonus.
Slight angle on the burn here, but it’s still keeping even.
Final Third:
The burn is a little less even now as we roll into the last third, but I’m going to wait it out and see if it corrects itself.
That pepper is picking up toward the end, Ragnarok draws near.
I’m loving this smoke. It’s light, but it’s packed with flavor. And the finish really kicks. I kind of don’t want it to end.
Skoll is a real firecracker at the end, the wolf gnashes its teeth and absolutely devours the sun as it wraps up.
Closing Thoughts:
Skoll earns itself a nearly perfect score, taking only a minor hit for a slight burn issue in the last third.
We know I’m a sucker for cigars that pay tribute to Norse mythology, since I’m a practicing Norse Heathen. And this one absolutely lives up to its name. I’ll be reviewing Skoll’s brother Hati next, and I can’t wait to see what that one has in store!