Black Label Trading Co. Bishops Blend Novemdiales
Celebrate a decade of boundary-pushing blends with the Black Label Trading Co. Bishops Blend Novemdiales—a commemorative release that elevates the iconic Bishops Blend to new heights. Rolled at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Estelí, Nicaragua, the Novemdiales is an inventive fusion of dark richness, nuanced complexity, and meticulous craftsmanship, designed for aficionados who demand bold flavors and innovative profiles.
- Anniversary innovation: Released to mark Black Label Trading Co.’s 10th year, showcasing a unique twist on the classic Bishops Blend
- Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper: Replaces the original’s Ecuadorian maduro, lending depth, earthiness, and smoky richness
- Ecuadorian habano-seed binder: Adds spice and structural finesse
- Complex filler ensemble: Pennsylvania and Nicaraguan tobaccos, plus a touch of Connecticut Broadleaf for extra dark fruit, spice, and boldness
- Flavor profile: Rich earthy cocoa, dark fruit, layers of spice, leather, coffee, smoky oak, brownie, and a star anise/stout finish with lively pepper
- Impecable construction and appearance: Dark, brown speckled wrapper; tapered head; closed foot for extra wrapper flavor on the light; elegant dual bands
- Medium-full to full powered: Intensifies as you smoke, delivering robust but balanced strength and flavor
The Novemdiales delivers a journey of flavors—initial bursts of pepper, earth, and cocoa give way to dark fruit, leather, sweet savory finish, and smoky notes. As the cigar progresses, expect deeper chocolate (brownie/fudge), coffee, woods, hints of mint, cayenne, and a bright anise finish that stands out as the signature of the blend. The burn is generally even, smoke output is hearty, and the draw is consistently praised for being spot on.
Aficionados highlight the Novemdiales as a top-tier modern blend—ideal for those who love strength and depth without sacrificing balance or complexity. While a few find it a bit bold for their taste, most praise its layered, evolving flavor arc, robust character, and the nuanced performance that comes with Black Label’s best releases. With the Novemdiales, Black Label Trading Co. delivers a robust yet refined cigar worthy of the blend’s decade-long reputation.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Wrapper | Pennsylvania Broadleaf |
| Binder | Ecuadorian Habano-seed |
| Filler | Pennsylvania, Nicaragua, Connecticut Broadleaf |
| Strength | Medium-Full to Full |
| Factory | Fabrica Oveja Negra, Estelí, Nicaragua |
| Flavor Profile | Cocoa, dark fruit, spice, leather, coffee, smoky oak, brownie, pepper, star anise, mint, cayenne, wood |
Summary
- Region: Estelí, Nicaragua
- Strength: Medium-Full to Full
- Binder: Ecuadorian Habano-seed
- Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
- Filler: Pennsylvania, Nicaragua, Connecticut Broadleaf
Frequently Asked Questions
What distinguishes the Novemdiales from the classic Bishops Blend?
It features a Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper and reimagined filler selection, offering deeper richness, smoky earth, and new spice compared to the original’s Ecuadorian maduro flavor.
How would you describe the flavor profile?
Expect a rich tapestry of cocoa, dark fruit, baking spice, coffee, leather, smoky wood, and a unique star anise/tangy finish—building strength and complexity across each third.
Is the construction and appearance special?
Yes—dark brown wrapper flecked with oil, tapered head, closed foot, and elegant dual bands make each cigar visually striking and expertly crafted.
How strong is the Novemdiales?
Medium-full to full-bodied, growing stronger with each inch; best for those who appreciate a robust yet smooth, sophisticated smoke.
Does the blend age well?
Absolutely—aging will mellow peppery notes, integrate flavors, and enhance the natural sweetness and savory depth.
Is it available in different sizes?
Yes—offered in multiple vitolas (robusto and petite corona), with reviewers favoring the robusto for balance and smoothness.
Who should try Novemdiales?
Cigar lovers who appreciate bold flavor, complexity, robust construction, and limited-edition releases with artistic presentation.










wnferguson (verified owner) –
Medium-full start. Decent draw. Starts with pepper, earth and cocoa. Dark fruity notes emerge and strengthen as we go. Last third brings more pepper and dark woods with dark fruit still present. Very enjoyable and full cigar. Top tier blend. Amazing burn to boot. Enjoyed this in robusto much more than the petite corona, and I’m usually a petite corona fan. The larger ring gauge lead to a smoother and more balanced profile. Petite corona was a little too bitter for my tastes.
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DC (verified owner) –
The Bishops Blend Novemdiales delivers a full-bodied smoking experience that’s rich and complex. There are bold notes of cocoa, earth, and leather, which are complemented by a touch of peppery spice on the draw. These flavors intertwine beautifully, creating a truly satisfying smoke. The cigar is well-constructed, burning evenly and producing a smooth, creamy texture throughout. While the peppery spice is present, it doesn’t overpower the other elements, instead adding a pleasant warmth to the finish.
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Giacomo Mannino (verified owner) –
These were not my favorite flavor wise. Seemed a little harsh to me. Construction, draw and burn were all very good though. Might just be my taste buds on these.
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Anonymous (verified owner) –
This cigar gave me plenty of tasty notes. From this I got dark chocolate, leather and plenty of coffee. There was a slight white pepper note on the back end. I got about an hr and 5 minutes out of this and that was perfect time to enjoy this after work. Construction was solid but had to touch up once. Solid little smoke at a great price!
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Lou Cross (verified owner) –
The Black Label Trading Co. Bishops Blend Novemdiales Robusto 5×50 is a visual and sensory delight that promises a truly indulgent cigar experience. The dark brown wrapper, adorned with darker freckles and a pressed vein, showcases the meticulous craftsmanship that defines Black Label Trading Company’s commitment to quality. The uniquely tapered head adds a touch of intrigue to the cigar’s appearance.
Upon lighting, the Bishops Blend Novemdiales Robusto unveils a symphony of aromas and flavors. The smoky oak and earthy notes from the wrapper merge seamlessly with the stewed fruit and smokiness emanating from the foot. The pre-light draw is a revelation in itself, offering a complex mix of floral, vegetal, and wood notes, complemented by a pleasantly mild spiciness.
The two black and silver bands, elegantly denoting the line, add a sophisticated touch to this cigar. Despite a slight excess wrapper at the foot, the construction remains impeccable. Black Label Trading Co. has crafted a masterpiece in the Bishops Blend Novemdiales Robusto—a robust, flavorful, and visually striking cigar that captivates the senses from start to finish.
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mhatz (verified owner) –
I’m a big fan of the original bishops blend so this one has some tough competition.
This dark chocolate wrapper has few veins and is slightly gritty to touch. A v cut is beautiful on this torpedo style cap. Beautiful draw even with a closed foot.
I love a closed foot because it allows you to taste mostly wrapper before the filler ignites. Vegetal type flavors with hay and leather upon lighting but that profile quickly disappears.
Deep chocolate, leather, and sweet savory finish take over in the first third. The oily and tangy finish is sensational and stays present on the tongue between each puff. The burn line is slightly wavy but it autocorrects.
A metallic note enters but doesn’t ruin the overall profile. Burn for the first half is surprisingly quick (20 mins). Flavors amplify as the stick burns and a brownie note adds into the chocolate flavor. Medium start but medium-full by the end. If you enjoy bishops blend then I’d definitely check these out. Fiver to box worthy for my palate. These should age quite well.
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Justin White (verified owner) –
This sample burned a little hot and fast, so I think some extra bitterness was added, but I was still able to tell that this is some tasty tobacco. Lots of dark fudge and raisin notes, with hints of cayenne and sometimes mint on the finish. Construction wasn’t the greatest, but I’ve smoked a ton of Black Label stuff and very rarely had an issue, I’ll revisit this one!
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Sebastian Urena (verified owner) –
If you like strong and bold cigars this is for you. This is a great cigar, with perfect construction, great flavors, and a good burn time but the nicotine kick is a little too much for me.
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John Barreto (verified owner) –
I smoked this cigar in the petit corona vitola and had an absolutely wonderful experience. The regular release Bishop’s Blend is one of my favorite sticks of all time, and this blend lives up to the name! It is a wonderful blending of earth notes with spice throughout. As with all their blends, Black Label made another spectacular blend that does not disappoint. If you want a strong short stick to give you a quick punch in the morning, this is the stick for you.
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