Chillin’ Moose is one of those names that just jump out at you. Especially when you see that laid-back moose on the band. Imagine it kicking back in its posh demeanor enjoying a fine cigar. I reckon it is utterly impossible to think of it without coming up with puns. Go on, give it a try.

Well, just so you know, I may or may not try a few moose puns in this article. You’ve been warned. Meanwhile, let’s explore what Chillin’ Moose is really about.

Chillin’ Moose

Quirky name aside, Chillin’ Moose is a cigar that demands attention. With a complex, 5-country blend swathing exquisitely aged leaves, this is a totally radical cigar that aims to please. Chillin’ Moose is a Foundry creation. Foundry is known for their use of exotic proprietary tobacco from many different countries. Essentially, most Foundry cigars will carry a unique flavor profile never seen or tasted before.

Chillin’ Moose encases a premium filler blend consisting of Nicaraguan, Dominican, US Broadleaf, and Mexican San Andres tobacco. These are then clothed in a decadent Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf and finally draped in a Connecticut Habano Rosado wrapper.

Now, you may be thinking; how much will this cigar set me back given all the different tobacco blends therein? Actually, this is a cheap cigar! Chillin’ Moose falls in the $2 range which makes it the best bang for your buck (see what I did there?) That’s not all. This may be the best everyday cigar you will come across in a long time. From my experience, it is just complex enough to keep you interested as well as cheap enough to be an any time smoke.

Chillin’ Moose comes in three sizes, Corona (5.25 x 45), Robusto (5.50 x 50), and Gigante (6 x 60). Naturally, the next question is, how does it smoke? The truth is, I have smoked these in the dozens. As I said, this is an excellent every day stogie. But there has been lots of debate whether or not this is a long-filler or mixed filler cigar. Well, the evidence shows that this is a mixed filler cigar. You will see it in the burn as well as the ash. Also, mixed filler is the only way a cigar with this caliber of tobacco can be “cheap”.
However, this is in no way meant to influence the way you feel about this stogie. I do hope you will have the same experience I did; happier than a moose at an antler convention.

Tasting Notes

For this review, I decided to go with a Robusto. I feel that’s a good size to experience everything the cigar has to offer.

Prelight

My Robusto is a solidly constructed, smooth stogie with a little tooth and no soft spots. There are barely any blemishes on the wrapper. In fact, there’s a bit of an oily sheen to it. I must say though that the double cap is not the best. Off the shaft, all I get are sweet hay nuances. Cold draw is open and just about perfect. There’s an implicit sweetness with notes of cocoa, raisins, rye, and caramel.

First Third

My Chillin’ Moose is really chillin’. The first few draws are all a mellow cedar tang with timid peppery notes on the finish. Smoke output is sufficient though not billowy. Truthfully, this cigar develops slowly. A few draws in, and flavors begin to take shape. There’s a wet tree bark flavor on the front of the palate. This is a stand-alone flavor aside from the gentle oak, charry hay, and sweet black pepper on the finish.

The finish is not long. It clears almost immediately. But the retrohale, consisting of blushing sweet cocoa and baking spice with an earthy base is quite pleasant. Towards the end of the first third, pepper goes away. In its place is that delicate sweet nuance fused with smooth oaky notes, earth, leather, and a warm kitchen spice tang at the back of the throat. However, black pepper and creamy savory cocoa remain in the Retrohale. At this point, the burn begins to get wonky. There is some major canoeing that can’t possibly correct itself. So, I have to touch it up. Smoke output is still satisfactory while body and strength is a light-medium.

Mid Third

Right at the beginning of my mid-third, my ash fell. It was unruly flowery ash with tiny flakes flying all over. Overlooking the uneven burn and flaky ash, my Robusto trudges on. Cedar fused with dry grass, earth, leather, and a little spice are still the dominant flavors. But alas! There’s a twist! A tangy, citrusy, fruity zing zooms in and out of the finish. It’s delicious but fleeting, which is a little disappointing. Sweet cocoa notes mixed with a mild black pepper spice are still all the Retrohale is about. Towards the end of the mid-third, I have to touch up my Robusto one more time.

Final Third

At the rate this burn line is going, I see another touch up in my near future. My previous Chilllin’ Moose cigars (or is it Meese?) didn’t have such pronounced burn issues. Anyway, my nub brings dry grass to the front of the palate. Cedar, cocoa, and a fleeting graham cracker note dance at the back of my throat. A few more draws and my Robusto gets warm and squishy.

As I put it down, I realize the strength and body never went beyond a mild-medium. That notwithstanding, my Chillin’ Moose had some pretty pleasant flavors. Even though the burn issues were a little annoying, I will still toast another one of these pretty soon. Hopefully, my burn issues died with this one.

A Little About Foundry

Foundry is a cigar company founded by Michael Giannini in 2012. It was then acquired by General Cigars and later reacquired by Michael Giannini under Kretek International. Since its inception, Michael Giannini wanted Foundry cigars to defy the mold. He sought to create off the wall cigars that aim to please both the palate and the wallet.

To date, Foundry cigars match to the beat of their own drums. From the exotic and rare tobacco blends to the radical steampunk-inspired packaging and front mark artistry portraying science fiction and chemistry themes, Foundry cigars are all about standing up and out. Chilling Moose demonstrates these concepts perfectly. Thanks to the amoosing (get it?) box illustrations, bold flavor profile, and affordable price, Chillin’ Moose is definitely one for the humidor.

Final Thoughts

Chillin’ Moose is an affordable every day smoke that does not try to be anything more. Of course, you can never compare its complexity to that of a top-notch stogie, but for a “cheap” cigar, it’s quite alright. Give it a try and let us know what you think.