Villiger Trill Cigar Review

If you’re like most cigar smokers, your exposure to the Villiger company is limited to their line of machine-made cigars, made in Switzerland—like the Villiger Export or the Villiger Kiels. I’ve always liked the Villiger Export—in the Sumatra wrapper—and the Villiger Premium #7. These are well-made, mild, consistently satisfying small cigars that don’t require much thought, time, or trouble to enjoy.

Sometime back in April, I pulled the trigger on Cigar King's“Villigers Gone Wild” sampler— twenty-five cigars in all, five of each from the Villiger Trill, Villiger Talanga, Villiger Colorado, Villiger Kreme, and Villiger Cabarete lines.  At $49.95, I thought it was a pretty great deal on a fairly slept-on line of cigars. Although founded in 1888 and possessing a solid footprint in Europe, Villiger is a relative unknown in the American premium cigar market. Today’s cigar—the Villiger Trill Habano Gordo—is the result of Villiger Cigars North America's more aggressive push into that segment of the cigar smoking public. According to halfwheel, the Trill was released to retailers in April 2014. It is made in Jochy Blanco’s Tabacalera La Palma factory in the Dominican Republic.

Something about this cigar’s branding seems self-consciously cigar lifestyle: from the gold ribbon around the foot of the cigar to the sharp black and gold band, complete with scroll work and emblazoned with the motto, “Can’t hustle a hustler.” A little off-putting, but from an aiming-for-irreverent-and-hitting-silly standpoint, things can always be worse. I’m reminded of Zino’s "His Majesty's Smoking Dawgs" ads.

Everything else about this cigar is no nonsense. The first third of the Trill is nutty, with a tart flavor coming from the wrapper. The retrohale is spicy, the cigar producing a nutty aroma with some pepper spice. The head of the cigar cracked somewhat when I cut it, but since none of the other four Trills in the sampler had this problem, I’m attributing the cracking to the difference between the humidity/temperature in my humidor and the humidity/temperature outside. Either way, it wasn’t a serious obstacle.

Now sporting a solid gray ash, the nutty, peppery flavors continue into the second third of the cigar—the spice in the retrohale is pronounced. I notice here what I can only call the habano wrapper’s signature tangy spice—savory and sharp.

The Trill’s strength increases in the final third, with pepper spice and some sour flavors on the finish and a spicy retrohale.

At 6 ¼ x 60, the Habano Gordo size is a little larger than I usually prefer, but the cigar nevertheless smokes and draws well. Since its release I’ve smoked almost a dozen Villiger Trills. While not exactly a strong smoke, I always find its strength just sneaky enough to keep me interested and its flavors solid and enjoyable. Don’t hesitate to pounce on any Villiger Trill deals that come your way. 

And until next time...
Smoke thoughtfully.