A Cigar with a Mission: Surpassion King of Battle

Last week I finally found time to drive out to Slow Burn Cigar Co. in Remington. Travel and a busy schedule had conspired to keep me away for more than a month. I was excited to get back and see what was new on the shelves.

The Comfortable Lounge at Slow Burn Cigar Co.

I was also thrilled to finally try a cigar I’d been wanting to smoke for some time: the Surpassion King of Battle.

Surpassion is a veteran-owned cigar company founded in 2024. A portion of every sale goes directly to charities supporting our nation’s veterans and their families. I’ve been seeing praise for the company’s cigars online with increasing frequency, and Slow Burn only recently began carrying them. Surpassion currently offers three core lines, with more on the way.

I selected the Surpassion King of Battle Toro, a cigar whose name pays tribute to the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. It features a smooth, oily American Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over a Mexican San Andrés binder and a blend of Dominican and American fillers. All of the tobaccos have been aged for at least five years.

The King of Battle is a full-bodied, richly flavorful smoke. Dark cocoa and black pepper start things off right out of the gate. Before long, the cigar settles into its rhythm as notes of espresso emerge, accompanied by rich fudge sweetness complemented by a pleasantly bittersweet finish. Smoke production is abundant, while the burn progresses slowly and evenly.

Bold but never heavy-handed, the King of Battle rewards a leisurely pace. Waves of espresso, dark cocoa, and touches of black pepper ebb and flow throughout the smoke, keeping the profile engaging from first light to the final inch. I happily smoked it for more than two hours, down to a warm nub.

I paired the cigar with a bottled green tea, which proved surprisingly refreshing. Even so, I couldn’t help imagining how well the King of Battle would complement one of my favorite bourbons. Since I happened to buy the last one in the box at Slow Burn, I’ll definitely be picking up a few more on my next visit.

Cheers!