Cavalier Genève – Inner Circle Green Jacket Edition
Introduction
Cavalier Genève is no stranger to theatrics. From its signature gold-leaf inlays to sleek, lifestyle-forward branding, the company has long walked the line between boutique craftsmanship and marketing flair. In 2025, they leaned fully into that image with the Inner Circle Green Jacket Edition—a limited release inspired by the Masters golf tournament.
Packaged in a collector-style box with verdant bands and a pristine 7x47 Churchill vitola, the Green Jacket Edition certainly looks the part. Behind the scenes, it’s built with an ambitious blend: a Honduran Jamastran claro wrapper, a Honduran Habano binder, and fillers from Honduras, Nicaragua, Indonesia, and Paraguay. Retailing at around $18 per stick, the Green Jacket promises a refined, lifestyle-driven smoking experience worthy of Augusta.
But as we know at The Retrohale, the band and the burn are only part of the story. The real question is—does it play the course, or just wear the gear?
Pre-light Impressions
The pre-light experience gave subtle hints of barnyard on the wrapper and a whisper of tobacco sweetness at the foot—nothing pronounced, but clean and pleasant. The wrapper felt slightly dry and veiny, with seams more visible than average due to the claro shade. However, the construction was solid and the cold draw came through with smooth, promising sweetness that raised expectations.
First Third
From the first few puffs, the cigar impressed with great smoke output and a razor-sharp burn. The draw was effortless, and the early profile leaned gently sweet, echoing the cold draw with a hint of warmth. Retrohales brought a burst of white pepper, while the mouthfeel delivered a quieter, baking spice character. Subtle, but refined.
Second Third
Unfortunately, the cigar plateaued quickly. As the sweetness faded, the profile gave way to a neutral, somewhat bready baseline—palatable, but uninspired. Even when paired with coffee, the cigar struggled to hold its own. Rather than complementing the cup, it was overpowered by it, leaving the cigar feeling thin and forgettable.
The retrohale remained the only reliable source of flavor, occasionally revealing hints of wood and a softened spice. But outside of that, the palate was quiet. Not clean like a classic Connecticut, and not complex like a robust blend—just… muted. An uncomfortable in-between.
The burn began to wave but self-corrected without intervention, and construction continued to impress. Still, the middle third dragged—a frustrating stretch of flavorless draw after draw.
Final Third
The final third offered the cigar’s most dynamic moments. A sudden blast of leather arrived—strong, assertive, maybe even too forward for some palates, but undeniably a presence. Spice returned on the retrohale, and traces of cinnamon and graham cracker emerged in the finish, possibly enhanced by the return of the coffee pairing.
It wasn’t enough to redeem the entire experience, but it was enough to end on a more memorable note. For a cigar that spent most of its time treading water, it was a surprising final push.
Conclusion
The Inner Circle Green Jacket Edition is a cigar that wants to be more than it is. It’s dressed for the Masters, built like a lifestyle accessory, and priced like a boutique showpiece—but the substance doesn’t quite match the suit.
To borrow another golf metaphor, the cigar was shooting par all day—nothing memorable, nothing disastrous. Then, on the final three holes, it started birdieing. But by then, it was too late to save the scorecard.
And perhaps the biggest letdown isn’t the cigar’s performance—it’s the missed opportunity. A Masters-themed cigar has the potential to be something lasting: a thoughtful, reverent tribute to the elegance, focus, and timeless class that defines the tournament. But here, the concept leans more gimmick than homage. Where it could have elevated the golf-and-cigar experience with depth, tradition, and artistry, it settles for packaging and polish. Imagine what a Padron or Fuente “Green Jacket” might have offered—complexity, restraint, a story that earned its price. This one just isn’t it.
For a casual golfer looking for something elegant to burn between tee shots, it might work. But for the seasoned smoker chasing depth, transitions, or emotional resonance, this one plays more like a missed opportunity. It’s not bad—but for $18, “not bad” isn’t good enough.
The Retrohale Score: C+ (82)
A cigar that looked the part but couldn’t play the course. While it offered flashes of flavor and a strong finish, the overall experience was muted, uninspired, and emotionally distant. It’s not a bad cigar—but at this price point, “not bad” is a bogey. One to try, not to chase.