The hard-hitting Bone Crusher might sound more at home in a boxing ring or the heat of a football game, but it packs more of a punch in the limited-edition cigar arena. One of six smokes that spawn the exclusive L’Atalier Surrogates line, the Bone Crusher has a no-nonsense, rock ‘n’ roll look that matches its menacing title.
Dressed in an ominously dark and oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, it’s blended with rich Nicaraguan tobaccos by a man who is best known for founding the Tatuaje brand — Pete Johnson. Two black bands adorn the Bone Crusher, with the cursive text and cartoonish bone a little something for the smoker to gnaw over.
Each vitola in the Surrogates line delivers a different recipe of aged long-leaf and flavor profile, aiming to provide limited-edition quality at an everyday price. Cigar enthusiasts can also get their premium Surrogates cigar experience through other eclectic and snappy names, including Animal Cracker, Skull Breaker, and Tramp Stamp.
Brand Overview
Meaning “the workshop,” L’Atalier was founded in 2012, with Johnson teaming up with industry pals Dan Welsh, K.C. Johnson, and Sean “Casper” Johnson.
Every cigar day is a special one with L’Atalier Cigars. Each of their premium stogies is hand-rolled in Nicaragua at the legendary My Father Cigars factory, led by patriarch Jose “Pepin” Garcia.
The experimental nature of L’Atalier allows Johnson to delve into his creative arsenal and tinker with unique recipes that light the fire of enthusiasts at all levels without breaking the bank.
It sounds like a winning combination, but will the Bone Crusher end up quelling the Surrogates' ethos?
Cigar specs
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Strength: Full
- Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Smoking Time: 90 minutes
- Sizes Available: Surrogates by L’Atelier Bone Crusher (5.25 x 55)
Cold draw
The cigar was generously packed and had no soft spots when pressed, with the toothy wrapper revealing deep chocolate and coffee notes.
Once I’d used my straight cutter to remove the expertly-applied triple cap, the cold draw had some muted nuances of barnyard and rich spices. The draw seemed a little tight, but I was still hopeful of getting a nice, full body on each puff once I’d burned my Bone Crusher.
First Third
From the opening billows of cool, rich, and creamy smoke that coated my palate, it was apparent I was in for a full-bodied flavor bomb. A much looser draw to the pre-light phase brought forth a blast of pepper and spice with robust hints of coffee and earth.
Second Third
An intense chocolate sensation is at the heart of the second third. Other dark hits included brown sugar, espresso, and wood, giving this 5.25x55 stogie a deep complexity and strong char nuances.
The sturdy ash held for well over an inch and turned dark grey, with a little black pepper entering the finish.
Final Third
Bold layers of berries, espresso, and leather dominated the final part of the proceedings. The dark chocolate had faded and was muffled with the warm sweetness of molasses. A luscious tobacco richness poured from the cap with every puff while dashes of salt and pepper tingled the lips and nostrils.
Burning perfectly from start to finish, it delivered strength with plenty of flavor transitions and complexity to boot.
Conclusion
The Surrogates line offers all smokers an invitation to an exclusive club you never thought you’d be able to join. Even more remarkable is that every Surrogate will take your palate on a different journey, despite all being made using full-bodied Nicaraguan long filler tobaccos.
The Bone Crusher can definitely lay claim to being the most powerful in taste, creating a complex and enjoyable experience without excessive spice. At $190.25 for a box of 20, it’s worth treating yourself if you’re a fan of strong stogies and rich, robust flavors.