The Vow - Higher Calling by Avowed Cigars

The Leaf

• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

• Factory: Kelner Cigars S.A.S

• Wrapper: Ecuador Habano

• Binder: Ecuador Habano

• Filler: Dominican Republic (Piloto Cubano, Criollo ’98, Corojo ’99, San Vicente, Cotui)

• Size: 6 x 50 (Toro)

• Body: Mild to Medium

• Strength: Mild to Medium

• MSRP: $20.00

• Personal Rating: 9.25 / 10 Box Worthy

• If you like this, you might also like: Warped La Colmena, Casdagli Daughters of the Wind, Room 101 Farce Connecticut, DT&T Sobremesa.

What We Do Here

The beauty of cigars isn’t just in the smoke...it’s in the ritual, the memory, the lore. Each review starts with the basics: how it smokes, how it tastes, whether it’s worth lighting up again or buying a box. Then, for those chasing the full story, we peel back the layers, deeper notes, subtleties, and the craft behind the leaf. At the end, we leave you with a little folklore to match the mood. Because around here, the smoke always carries a story.

Casual Take

From the start, this cigar is smooth, sweet, and calm. Notes of orange zest, honeysuckle, and sun dried hay blend with a gentle spice on the retrohale. There’s a soft breadiness underneath, like a warm bakery breeze. The draw is a little snug, but in a good way. If you’re after something refined and easygoing, this one hits the mark.

Deep Burn

I have what's likely a controversial hot take about this one, but I'll leave it to the end for you to see. Typically, I'm not a fan of "lighter" cigars, like this one would appear to be off the rip. But since joining the Creekside Cigars Monthly Sampler, I've significantly broaded my palate and challenged my previous biases. The Higher Calling is no exception. The first third opens with a soft bouquet of citrus and hay, but what really makes this cigar shine is the graceful layering of floral and spice. Honeysuckle sweetness rises early, delicate and fragrant. Met by orange zest that gives the profile a gentle brightness. There’s a bready core here, like warm fresh baked bread with a drizzle of honey. On the retrohale, white pepper flickers but never overwhelms, staying light and crisp.

As it progresses into the second third, the blend settles into a comforting rhythm. That floral character remains but softens, making room for richer notes of sweet tobacco, toasted grain, and a faint cardamom warmth that lingers on the tongue. The draw remains slightly snug, but it's rewarding like sipping a thick milkshake through a straw, slowing you down just enough to notice the details. Subtle cedar peeks through with a whisper of buttered nuts and graham cracker, adding a soft, toasty complexity.

Into the final third, the pepper steps up just a bit, but never in an aggressive way. The finish dries the palate slightly but balances nicely with a late return of citrus and floral oil. Strength remains on the mild side of medium, but the flavor builds like a well paced story, smooth and deliberate to the end. My hot take: I'm going to say it...I think this is everything the Sobremesa by Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust, wishes it was. And it does it better. No shade to Steve Saka, I love many of his blends. But this is built different.

The Heart of the Leaf

Higher Calling doesn’t chase trends or compete for attention. It’s reflective and composed. The blend leans into nuance and restraint, offering a slow burn experience that’s quietly impressive. It’s not flashy, but it is deeply satisfying. At 9.25, this one is Tale Worthy, a cigar you think about long after the band comes off. These are limited to 450 boxes, so if you can find them I'd strongly encourage you to grab a box!

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The Lore

“One of my favorite things about Avowed Cigars is that each of us are Fathers...” That sentiment from Dave West of Avowed Cigars doesn’t just define the brand, it defines the experience of this cigar. Higher Calling feels like reflection made smoke. The kind of cigar you light on a porch after the kids are in bed, when the world finally slows down enough for your thoughts to catch up. There’s warmth here. Familiarity. A quiet kind of pride that comes from building something meaningful, piece by piece, year after year. The floral notes, the subtle spice, the gentle sweetness. They don’t demand attention, they invite it. Like a conversation with someone who truly listens. Like flipping through old photos and realizing just how far you've come. Higher Calling isn't just a name. It's a reminder. To slow down. To honor the road behind you. And to keep walking forward. Not because it's easy, but because someone small is watching you do it and counting on you. This cigar was made for more than celebration. It was made for legacy.

The cigar in this review was paid for by me.

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