Today, we are taking a closer look at the Room101 Namakubi 2025, a highly anticipated release from Forged Cigar Company set to launch in 2025. When it comes to the most significant releases in Room101’s history, Namakubi stands out. This cigar first hit the market in 2011 during an era when Davidoff was in charge of distributing and producing blends for Room101. Namakubi was inspired by owner Matt Booth’s experiences in Japan. Prior to launching Namakubi, Booth had already introduced two other cigars: the original Room101 and the Room101 Conjura. Unfortunately, those earlier releases fell flat and were considered misses for the brand. With Namakubi, there was a lot riding on the outcome, but thankfully, the third time was indeed the charm. Namakubi became a phenomenal success, turning things around for Room101 and solidifying its place in the cigar world.
When Room101 ended its partnership with Davidoff, Namakubi was no more. In 2021, Namakubi returned as a limited-edition offering. It would feature a different blend and a slightly different look. Since then, Room101 has joined the Scandinavian Tobacco Group portfolio, first as a part of Forged, and this year as a part of General. There have been two subsequent limited edition releases of Namakubi – in 2023 and 2025. Each also featured different packaging and different blends.
Here is a summary of the Namakubi releases:
One noticeable thing is that while the Namakubi 2025 is announced as the 2025 edition, it is banded as 2024:
Without further ado, let’s break down the Namakubi 2025 and see what this cigar brings to the table:
SPECIFICATIONS
Blend and Origin
The Room101 Namakubi 2025 edition sports a San Andres Mexican wrapper over an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder and a combination of Pennsylvania Broadleaf, Nicaraguan, and Dominican fillers. It’s produced at Tabacalera William Ventura in the Dominican Republic
- Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
- Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
- Filler: Pennsylvania Broadleaf, Dominican, Nicaraguan
- Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
- Factory: Tabacalera William Ventura
Vitolas Offered
Namakubi 2025 comes in one size – a 6 1/2 x 50 perfecto known as Chingon. The cigars are paper-wrapped and packaged ten per box. Production numbers were not disclosed.
Appearance (*)
The Mexican San Andres wrapper of the Namakubi 2025 had a color resembling a chocolate bar. There was a slight amount of oil on the surface. The wrapper was toothy, with some mottling visible on the surface. The wrapper had some prominent visible veins. The wrapper’s dark color minimized visible seams. The Chingon is a perfecto. There was a short gentle taper with an open footer. On the other end, there was a short, more moderate taper that converges by the head.
PERFORMANCE
Pre-Light Draw (*)
A straight cut was used to clip off part of the head of the Namakubi 2025. I clipped enough to still get some of the cigar’s tapering effect. Once the tip was removed, it was time to commence with the pre-light draw. The cold draw delivered a combination of bittersweet chocolate and some cedar. Overall, this was a satisfying pre-light draw. Next, it was time to toast up the Namakubi 2025 and see what the smoking experience had in store.
Tasting Notes
The Namakubi 2025 opened up with notes of mocha and natural tobacco. I use mocha to describe a fusion of chocolate and coffee. The mocha notes took over as the primary note, and the chocolate had more of an edge during this phase. Meanwhile, the natural tobacco settled in the background, joined by some wood notes. On the retrohale, pepper combined with a slight natural tobacco sweetness.
During the second third of the Namakubi 2025, the coffee component of the mocha began to get more prominent. By the midway point, the coffee took over as the sole primary note. A slight black-pepper note emerged on the tongue, along with natural tobacco and wood.
By the final third, the coffee notes remained primary. The pepper increased and became the more prominent secondary note. Things were rounded out by the natural tobacco and wood. This is the way the Namakubi 2025 came to a close. The resulting nub was soft to the touch and cool in temperature.
Burn
Overall, the burn of the Namakubi 2025 performed quite well. It had a slight curve in the burn line but maintained a straight burn path with minimal touchups. The resulting ash was firm. The ash was near white in color. The burn rate and burn temperature both stayed at ideal levels.
Draw
The draw of the Namakubi 2025 had a touch of resistance. If you have read my assessments, you will know this is right in my sweet spot. At the same time, this was a low-maintenance cigar to derive flavor from.
Strength and Body
The Namakubi 2025 opened up with medium strength and medium-bodied flavors. Intensity increased slightly in both attributes, but the cigar remained medium in strength and body until the end. In terms of strength versus body, both attributes balanced each other nicely, with neither attribute overshadowing the other.
BANDING AND PACKAGING NOTES (*)
The Namakubi 2025 is highlighted by its blue packaging. The original red and black from the 2011 Namakubi is still my favorite, but I appreciate how the limited Namakubis have all been identified by a unique color.
The Namakubi 2025 is distinguished by its use of tissue and paper wrapping around each cigar. We have seen Matt Booth do this with Room101, Los Statos Deluxe, and Sancho Panza in the past. In the past, I’ve mentioned that, as much as I like the tissue and paper wrap over the cigars, I don’t see this as retailer-shelf friendly. This is because it hides the cigar. I think consumers want to see the cigars they buy.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Final Thoughts
The Namakubi 2025 had really good construction and an enjoyable first third. After the first third, the flavors became mediocre. This cigar also didn’t offer much complexity. While this wasn’t a terrible blend, it pales in comparison to the legacy the Namakubi established when it was released in 2025. To me, this was more of an ordinary cigar trying to ride the coattails of the Namakubi line. Add a near-$25 price point on top of that, and it’s hard for me to recommend this cigar. In the end, I simply don’t see myself returning to this cigar.
Summary
- Key Flavors: Mocha (Coffee, Chocolate), Natural Tobacco, Wood, Pepper
- Burn: Excellent
- Draw: Excellent
- Complexity: Low to Medium
- Strength: Medium
- Body: Medium
- Finish: Good
Rating
Value: Not Recommended
Score: 87
REFERENCES
Photo Credits: Cigar Coop, except where noted
