While the Olympic torch lit up Paris, our friends at CigarPage sent me a different kind of torch to ignite—a box of 20 Hellas cigars.
This new house blend, crafted by the masterminds at Tabacalera Pages, pays homage to the ancient Greek poet Homer, author of the Iliad and The Odyssey.
While the Greeks may not have had tobacco, the rich flavors of this blend will make you feel as if you’re seated in the Parthenon itself. Toga! Toga!
Hellas Cigar Details
- Brand: Hellas
- Range: N/A
- Reviewed Vitolas: 5.5 x 52 “Dolos” Parejo
- Wrapper: Habano
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Factory: Tabacalera Pages (Estelí, Nicaragua)
- Handmade: Yes
- Body: Medium
- Estimated Smoking Time: 90 Minutes
- Pricing: $90 / Box of 20 [Browse On CigarPage]
Tabacalera Pages, led by seasoned cigar blender Raymond Pages, is a family-run operation with deep roots in the cigar industry.
Known for producing blends that combine rich flavors and precise construction, this Hellas cigar promises to be a top-level smoke.
Look & Feel Of The Hellas Cigar
- Wrapper Hue: Cappuccino
- Rolling Consistency: Even
- Spring: Slightly Soft
- Aromas: Honey, Tarragon, Nutmeg
Even though this stogie is a pretty cheap date, the wrapper is positively stunning.
The Habano wrapper has a slight sheen with just a few veins, complemented by a beautiful cappuccino hue. Before lighting, aromas of floral honey, tarragon, and nutmeg emanate from the body of the cigar.
Reviewing The Hellas By Tabacalera Pages
Pre-Lighting Experience
- Draw: Ideal
- Aromas: Fig, Pastry, Coffee
The dry draw on this cigar is nothing short of delightful—I could draw on it all day long. The flavors are reminiscent of figs and pastry, something like a fig Newton paired with a nice cup of coffee.
1st Third Smoking Experience
- Notes: Pretzel, Almonds, Bitter Chocolate
Upon lighting, the Hellas reveals a more subtle profile than other Tabacalera Pages blends.
Savory notes of pretzel, almonds, and bitter chocolate dominate, while the retrohale introduces a distinctive white pepper funk.
2nd Third Smoking Experience
- Notes: Pastry, Raisin, Cream
In the second third, the Hellas cigar starts to pick up in flavor; it evolves into a pastry-like experience with raisin sweetness and a creamy finish.
Coffee notes emerge on the retrohale, and the ash impresses with its beauty—perhaps the finest of any CigarPage house brand I’ve encountered.
Final Third Smoking Experience
- Notes: Honey, Coffee, Cream
In the final third, the flavors and strength crescendo to a powerhouse finish, likely due to the extra tips of tobacco leaves added by the rollers at Tabacalera Pages. Floral honey notes return in full force, accompanied by coffee and cream.
The retrohale delivers a classic Nicaraguan black pepper note.
Overall Burn
- Ash Backbone: Solid
- Burn Angle: Straight
- Temperature: Cool
- Draw: Perfect
- Final Smoking Time: 90 Minutes
CigarPage themselves state that the Hellas has “signature brick shithouse construction.” While I don’t quite know what that means, I can definitely say this cigar smokes great.
The ash has been solid and bone white on all of my review samples. The combustion line is razor sharp, and the draw is consistently perfect. Bravo.
Overall Experience
The Hellas cigar is a true homage to Greece, adorned in light blue and white colors reminiscent of the Greek flag. The band is beautifully detailed with Greek patterns, encircling a charcoal-esque portrait of Homer himself.
Depicted in the blue of the band are ocean waves, along with the inscribed words “loyalty, vengeance, hospitality.” Below the embossed metallic deep blue Hellas branding, you’ll find a direct quote from the Iliad, written in Greek:
“Let me not then die ingloriously and without a struggle, but let me first do some great thing that shall be told among men hereafter.”
One of the standout features is the band’s easy-removal tab, which subtly features the faint image of an owl—a nod to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and the namesake of Athens.
The box mirrors the white and blue color scheme of the Greek flag, though it leaves out some of the finer details. Nevertheless, the portrait of Homer remains a striking focal point in my growing collection of cigar boxes.
Pairing Recommendations For The Hellas Cigar
By the time you read this review, the Olympics may have concluded, but the Hellas is perfect for casually sitting outside in the sun and watching sports.
During my review, I found myself pondering the connection between Ancient Greece and tobacco. Then it struck me—this cigar pairs perfectly with Baklava. Imagine the flaky phyllo dough, honey, and nuts complementing the Hellas’s flavor profile.
If you’re in the mood for something savory, a ballpark pretzel would bring out the cigar’s bitter notes, while a gyro with fries would make for a fantastic main course.
On the drink side, I opted for an iced espresso shaken with brown sugar—a fantastic pairing with the cigar’s sweet and creamy notes. On the wild side, I also tried it with a toasted coconut rum from Hawai’i, which balanced the pastry notes beautifully, transforming the rum into a high-end, hipster coffee drink. For something lighter, a lemonade would be a great pick to subdue some of the bitterness from the Habano wrapper.
Closing Thoughts
The Hellas cigar genuinely surprised me with its unique flavor profile, smoking well above its price range.
When it comes to exceptional, budget-friendly blends, CigarPage and Tabacalera Pages are true masters. The Hellas is an incredibly enjoyable blend with a distinctive personality, and at just around 5 bucks a stick, it’s a gold medal choice.
"The Hellas cigar delivers a surprisingly unique and complex flavor profile that far exceeds its modest price, making it a true gold medal choice for budget-conscious smokers."
Further Reading
If you enjoyed reading this cigar review, feel free to check out more related content:
Cigars Contents
Leave A Comment