Black Works Studio

Paper Crane

When done correctly, a Paper Crane can be an incredible, ornate work of art that completely transforms its medium. The same can be said about the cigar that Black Works Studio called Paper Crane, which debuted to rave reviews at the 2024 PCA convention. Boasting an Ecuadorian Connecticut Desflorado wrapper, Ecuadorian Habano binder and fillers from Nicaragua, the cigar produces what Black Label Trading Co. creator James Brown says is a “beautiful balance of light citrus notes on the palette, followed by delicate layers of spice on the retrohale and finish.” Produced at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Estelí, Nicaragua, the cigar is the latest in a growing list of successful blends from Brown, who founded the company in 2013 and has produced the highly rated Benediction, Last Rights, Lawless, Royalty, Morphine, and Salvation among others. While Black Label Trading Co. is still a relative newcomer to the scene, the quality tobacco, breathtaking artwork and unprecedented quality in its construction have quickly made the brand a humidor mainstay for aficionados everywhere. The Paper Crane has artwork featuring one designed by Brown himself which, he says, was inspired by the makeup of the cigar. While it is rich with subtleties, it’s still very much a medium-bodied smoke that can stand on its own and prompt a long, thought-provoking smoke session full of intricacies. The Desflorado wrapper has an entrancing golden-brown color, which will undoubtedly set it apart from other sticks in your collection. It is important to note the significance of the use of the Desflorado wrapper. Meaning “deflowering”, a tobacco plant that produces a beautiful flower arrangement has them removed as they bloom from the very top of the plant. Containing the seeds and pollens necessary for the plant to reproduce, those nutrients are then concentrated and redirected to the tobacco leaves themselves. Hence, topped tobacco, or in this case, has its flowers removed are stronger than tobacco that has not been through this process. Not only is it an expensive process, but it also requires constant vigilance and precise execution during maturation in the fields. However, such a rare and intricate technique gives the cigar an extra rich and unparalleled flavor profile. While a collection like this is beloved by the masses, only 900 boxes of the line’s two sizes were produced, which should create a sense of urgency for those hoping to round out their collection. Black Label Trading Co. has been rated the best small to medium-sized cigar factory in the world three times since 2019 and was named the best boutique brand in the business by the esteemed Cigar Journal back in 2023, the year before Paper Crane’s official release. Thanks to Brown’s belief that cigars should be crafted in small batches, allowing for the ingredients to shine and remain uncompromised by availability demands, any release should be considered an event not to be missed. Shop JR Cigar for one of these incredible smokes today and find them at the best prices around. Catch the Paper Crane before a stiff wind blows it all away!