Today, we are reviewing the Crux Passport in the Super Selection No. 3 size. This size is part of the Crux Passport’s return to Crux Cigars’ portfolio in 2026. The Crux Passport dates back to the early days of Crux Cigars; it was first introduced in 2014, the same year the company launched. The line was discontinued shortly before Crux underwent a packaging rebrand in 2019. Since then, the company has noted significant demand to bring the line back.
The return of Crux Passport came early in 2026, but Crux Cigars has talked about it for two years. Back at PCA 2024, Crux President Jeff Haugen told Cigar Coop about the return. Passport is one of Haugen’s personal favorite blends. At the time, Haugen told us the Passport line was discontinued because of some issues with the wrapper. The new Passport features what Haugen describes as a “new and elevated blend.”
For now, let’s turn our attention to the Passport Super Selection No. 3 and see what this cigar brings to the table.
SPECIFICATIONS
Blend and Origin
Passport still features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. As mentioned, the blend is different from the original Passport. This includes Nicaraguan tobaccos for the binder and filler. The filler also includes Honduran tobacco. Crux has not disclosed other specifics of the tobacco varietals in this blend. Production comes out of the Plasencia factory in Nicaragua. Plasencia is Crux’s biggest manufacturing partner, and the same factory made the original Passport.
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Factory: Plasencia S.A.
Vitolas Available
Passport now comes in three sizes. Each is presented in 20-count boxes. The 20-count boxes contain two five-packs and ten loose cigars. When Crux first launched the original Passport line in 2014, all of the vitolas were 48 ring gauge or under. The three vitolas in the relaunch keep to that mantra.
- Super Selection No. 1: 6 x 42 (SRP $10.99/cigar)
- Super Selection No. 2: 5 1/2 x 46(SRP $11.99/cigar)
- Super Selection No. 3: 6 1/4 x 48 (SRP $12.99/cigar)
Appearance
The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper of the Passport Super Selection No. 3 leaned darker. It had a chocolate-bar-like color. The wrapper was smooth and definitely oily, with slight mottling. The surface also showed visible veins and wrapper seams.
PERFORMANCE
Pre-Light Draw
Before lighting up the Passport Super Selection No. 3, I used a straight cut to remove the cap. Once the cap was removed, it was time to commence the pre-light draw. The cold draw delivered cocoa and damp earth notes. Overall, I found this pre-light draw satisfying. With the pre-light draw now complete, it was time to toast up the footer of the Passport Super Selection No. 3 and move into the smoking phase.
Tasting Notes
The Passport Super Selection No. 3 opened up with cocoa, natural tobacco, damp earth, floral, and white pepper notes. Early on, no note dominated, but as the cigar moved through the first third, cocoa and natural tobacco emerged as the primary notes. The floral, damp earth, and white pepper notes settled in the background. Meanwhile, on the retrohale, an additional layer of white pepper mixed with a touch of natural tobacco sweetness.
As the Passport Super Selection No. 3 entered the second third, the damp earth moved into the forefront with the natural tobacco notes. The cocoa notes receded into the background with the floral and white pepper notes. By the end of the second third, the damp earth notes took over as the primary note.
The final third kept the damp earth notes as the primary note. Meanwhile, the cocoa, floral, natural tobacco, and pepper remained secondary. White pepper increased. Some bitterness and harshness emerged with the damp earth notes. This is the way the Passport Super Selection No. 3 came to a close. The resulting nub was soft to the touch and cool in temperature.
Burn
The burn of the Passport Super Selection No. 3 performed quite well. It maintained a straight burn path and straight burn line, requiring minimal touchups. The resulting ash was skewed toward the firmer side. The ash was mostly light gray. Meanwhile, the Passport Super Selection No. 3 also maintained an ideal burn rate and ideal burn temperature.
Draw
The draw to the Passport Super Selection No. 3 was on the open side. This wasn’t a loose draw, but as many who follow my assessments know, I prefer a little more resistance. In the end, this was more personal preference, and the experience had no adverse effects.
Strength and Body
The Passport Super Selection No. 3 started out with medium strength and medium to full-bodied notes. Both the strength and body increased during the first third. By the midway point, strength crossed the threshold into medium-to-full territory. The second half saw nominal increases for strength and body. Strength and body both remained in the medium-to-full range in the second half.
In strength vs. body, the body maintained the edge.
BANDING AND PACKAGING NOTES (*)
Crux has done a great job with its packaging, and the new Crux Passport release shines.
As mentioned, this is the first time Crux has used the revamped packaging on the Passport. It gives the Passport an elevated, sleek look. The blue on the band really shines.
Since the beginning, Crux has used 20-count boxes on its core lines to combine single and five-count cigars. It’s an innovative presentation, and I’m surprised more companies haven’t done this. This combo unit gives retailers the option to sell five-packs, singles, and full boxes from the units they receive.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Final Thoughts
I was a big fan of the original Passport, especially the Half Corona (which didn’t make it back). However, one underlying problem puts this cigar at a disadvantage for me: floral notes. If you asked me my least favorite cigar flavor note, it’s floral. Sometimes it works with the blend; other times, it doesn’t. In the case of the Passport Super Selection No. 3, it simply did not.
On top of that, the final third became a bit unbalanced and bitter. The original Passport didn’t have these problems. In the end, I would recommend trying a sample first. Given Crux’s track record on Cigar Coop for over a decade, I’m still inclined to see if the other sizes do a better job for me.
Summary
- Key Flavors: Damp Earth, Natural Tobacco, Cocoa, Floral, Pepper
- Burn: Excellent
- Draw: Very Good
- Complexity: Medium
- Strength: Medium (1st Half), Medium to Full (2nd Half)
- Body: Medium to Full
- Finish: Good
Rating
Value: Try a Sample
Score: 87
REFERENCES
Photo Credits: Cigar Coop
