My favorite time of year is here! Autumn is upon us, and with it has come all of the flavors of fall—this includes, most importantly, celebrations of Oktoberfest. J.C. Newman continues to join in on the fall fun with another limited-edition Bricktoberfest release for 2024. This year marks the third year that J.C. Newman has released its seasonal Bricktoberfest cigar. However, the celebration of Oktoberfest has been part of the J.C. Newman brand with its Bricktoberfest promotion since 2018. The promotion highlights the Brick House cigar line, and when a buyer purchases a certain number of cigars, they receive branded Brick House German-style glassware.
J.C. Newman is a well-known and long-standing pillar of the cigar industry, much like the traditional “Big Six” German breweries that are certified to produce “Münchner Bier” for Oktoberfest. Some of these brewers have been around for over 100 years. Similarly, J.C. Newman has been a mainstay in the cigar industry since 1895. The Brick House cigar itself was first produced in 1937 (though not being made continuously through its modern-day return in 2009), putting it at a ripe old age of 87.
“My grandfather, J.C. Newman, lived in the only house made of brick in a small village in Austria-Hungary. Our Brick House cigar label honors his home, where family gathered 150 years ago to relax and celebrate with beer and cigars. Bricktoberfest is the perfect way to continue that tradition today.” —Eric Newman, J.C. Newman president
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Brick House Bricktoberfest 2024 Breakdown
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Factory: J.C. Newman PENSA (Nicaragua)
- Production: Limited Edition
- Vitola: 6″ × 52 (Toro)
- Price: $10.00 (MSRP)
The Bricktoberfest 2024 is the same size as previous years, being available in a 6″ x 52 toro with a pigtail cap. Much like the 2023 edition, the wrapper is an Ecuador Habano rosado leaf. Additionally, the binder and filler are similar to the 2023 edition. The 2022 Bricktoberfest was a bit different, as it was a Nicaraguan puro with a Jalapa wrapper. The cigars come in 10-count packages in a branded Bricktoberfest box.
This year’s promotion runs from September 16 to October 31, 2024 at participating retailers. If the consumer buys seven or more of any of the Brick House cigars, they will receive a German-inspired ceramic Bricktoberfest beer stein. Previous branded steins have been the classic glass stein (called Maßkrug), a German pilsner-style glass, and of course, Das Boot (aka Bierstiefel).
Appearance
The Bricktoberfest 2024 features a pigtail cap with a smooth brown Habano rosado wrapper. There is a visible wrapping seam seen from the cap to the foot, with minimal veins noted. The main band is a classic medallion-style logo done in gold, with the words “BRICK HOUSE” in black. Unlike the 2023 version, the 2024 edition has a secondary band; it’s simple in design, displaying the words “Bricktoberfest” and “LIMITED EDITION” in a European, gothic-style font.
Bricktoberfest comes in 10-count boxes, which have a cherry-colored mahogany look. The lid displays the Brick House medallion logo alongside the Bricktoberfest and Limited Edition designations. Around the edge there is a gold-printed border, almost appearing as a repeating pattern of a fleur-de-lis-type design. In very small font, we can see J.C. Newman Cigar Co. and Brick House repeating throughout the border. When opened, the lid is similar to the outside, with the words and logo stamped in gold.
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Smoking Experience
When I was preparing to smoke this cigar, my attention was immediately drawn to the pigtail cap. In past years, the cap was more of a twisted nub, with little extension or visible flare of the wrapper. However, the 2024 pigtail cap is much more prominent and appears to be expertly crafted. The aroma from the cap to the foot has sweet and spicy floral notes. With a straight cut, the cold draw has a spicy, floral note.
Toasting the cigar brings an intense and enjoyable sweet, malty flavor that takes over the palate. There is some mild spice on the tip of the tongue, along with some slight notes of apricot jam. It is an interesting blend of spicy and sweet. Meanwhile, the retrohale gives a mild black pepper spice. As the smoking experience continues to the middle of the cigar, a bit of musty flavor picks up, while the apricot jam flavor fades, only being noticed every so often. The malty sweetness continues to be noted as the main core flavor.
Bricktoberfest is a well-constructed cigar with a solid feel. The burn line is slow and even, keeping the cigar cool so that the smoker is able to pick up those finer tobacco flavors. A moderate amount of white smoke billows off the end of the cigar. It produces a dark gray, chunky, flaky ash that stays on about 1.5 cm at a time. The draw is very enjoyable, giving a nice slight resistance, which I really appreciate in a cigar.
Closing out the smoke, the Bricktoberfest continues with that sweet, malty flavor. The apricot jam element has diminished, but it’s replaced with a nutty, roasted almond flavor. A smoky, musty aroma is also noted, and when combined with the malt and almond flavor, this cigar really brings together a flavor concoction that anyone would enjoy when experiencing Oktoberfest beer. Finally, the retrohale remained consistent, with a mild black pepper essence.
Would I Smoke This Cigar Again?
The Bricktoberfest is a really entertaining project and fun promotion that J.C. Newman does, and it’s something I very much enjoy as a fan of the Oktoberfest fall season. It’s a great way to blend the traditional cultures surrounding beers of this season and cigars. Although this year’s edition is very similar to last year’s Bricktoberfest, I felt the construction was better when evaluating the makeup of the cigar as well as the burn. The flavor profile hits on the tastes of Oktoberfest, bringing together sweet, malty notes with some smoky, musty flavors. These, paired with the apricot jam sweetness and nutty almond flavors, make for a very enjoyable seasonally flavored cigar. Pair this cigar with a traditional German beer and it will be a real hit for the autumn season. This project also reminds cigar smokers to reach for the other classic Brick House cigars during this season, being comparable in character. The branded German drinking vessel that cigar smokers can get when purchasing the Bricktoberfest or other Brick House cigars ensures you’ll be ready for your own Oktoberfest celebration. I would reach for Bricktoberfest again during this time of year, as it delivers Oktoberfest flavors and great construction in an affordable cigar.
- On Dojoverse, the Brick House Bricktoberfest 2024 currently ranks in the bottom 67 percent of cigars on the all-time leaderboard, having a “100% Smokable” rating.
- Flavor: Medium-Light
- Strength: Medium-Light
- Body: Medium
- Sweet / malty
- Roasted almond
- Apricot jam
- Mild black pepper spice
- Smoke Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Pairing Recommendation: Dunkel | Rauchbier | Pumpkin spice latte
- Purchase Recommendation: Grab four Bricktoberfest and three other classic Brick House cigars to get your stein
Short Link:
- Good sweet malty flavor
- Great construction
- Solid annual promotion to highlight Bricktoberfest, the Brick House line, and the Oktoberfest beer season
- Same Bricktoberfest blend/cigar as last year
- No strong transitions
- A different size would have been nice to see, since the blend wasn’t changed