Black Works Studio The Five Temples – Seven Star Fist of Shaolin

Black Works Studio The Five Temples – Seven Star Fist of Shaolin

Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) introduces The Five Temples – Seven Star Fist of Shaolin, a limited-edition collection that blends old-school Kung Fu inspiration with artisan cigar craftsmanship. Handmade at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Estelí, Nicaragua, each cigar features a unique pyramid shape that symbolizes the architecture of Shaolin temples, and showcases a mix of wrappers across beloved Bees & Hornets blends as well as two new Shaolin varieties. This production marks the debut of the pyramid vitola for several lines, and arrives with high anticipation following pre-release at PCA 2025 in New Orleans.

Key Features & Benefits

• Limited 24-count box featuring 4 cigars of each core blend plus two rare Shaolin bellicoso variants
• Debut of the pyramid vitola for Killer Bee and Hornet lines, amplifying blend nuances and aesthetic appeal
• Diverse wrappers: Sumatra, Connecticut, Connecticut Broadleaf, Pennsylvania Broadleaf, and San Andrés
• Shaolin Candela/Maduro and Shaolin Habano/Maduro bellicosos provide unique dual-wrapper experiences
• Handcrafted at boutique Fabrica Oveja Negra, guaranteeing small-batch precision and artistry
• Symbolic sizing and presentation inspired by classic Kung Fu cinema
• Nicaraguan filler, Honduras Habano binder, and various premium wrappers for elevated complexity

Detailed Description

The Five Temples series is a culmination of twelve years of personal vitola experimentation by James Brown, shaped by a love for Kung Fu movies and the visual language of Shaolin temples. Pyramid sizing is employed not just as a technical challenge but as a creative tribute, with the form itself adding meaning to the blends inside. This box combines four cigars each of Killer Bee Sumatra, Killer Bee Connecticut, Killer Bee Connecticut Broadleaf, The Hornet Pennsylvania Broadleaf, and The Hornet San Andrés pyramids, offering fans a rare chance to experience each wrapper’s distinct character in the same format.

The inclusion of Shaolin Candela/Maduro and Shaolin Habano/Maduro bellicosos, two cigars each, elevates the collection further. These dual-wrapper innovations layer visual intrigue and flavor contrast, and serve as a centerpiece for the collection. All blends feature Nicaraguan filler and Honduras Habano binder, supporting rich profiles of dark wood, bakery spice, sweet tobacco and occasional herbal brightness from the candela component.

Artful construction is a hallmark, with consistent box-pressed density, sharp pyramid points, and precision application of each wrapper leaf. Burn is typically clean and smoke production copious. BLK WKS’ artistic point-of-view shines through every detail, making this box both a collector’s item and a celebration of boutique blending skills.

Technical Specifications

Summary

• Box Count: 24
• Region: Nicaragua
• Strength:
• Binder: Honduras Habano
• Wrapper: Sumatra, Connecticut, Connecticut Broadleaf, Pennsylvania Broadleaf, San Andrés, Candela, Habano, Maduro
• Filler: Nicaraguan

Frequently Asked Questions

What is unique about The Five Temples collection?

This release debuts a pyramid vitola for fan-favorite Bees and Hornets blends, includes two new Shaolin dual-wrapper bellicosos, and showcases a mix of premium wrappers rarely packed together.

How does the pyramid shape affect the smoking experience?

The pyramid shape enables gradual ring gauge expansion, concentrating smoke and layering transitions between the wrapper and filler for dramatic flavor shifts.

What is the significance of the Shaolin varieties?

The Shaolin Candela/Maduro and Shaolin Habano/Maduro bellicosos use two wrappers each, producing visual and flavor contrast symbolic of martial arts duality and tradition.

Who produced these cigars?

All cigars in the collection were handcrafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra, Estelí, Nicaragua under James Brown’s direction.

Is this a limited release?

Yes, Five Temples was released for pre-order at PCA 2025 and ships in highly limited quantities to select retailers.

What is the ideal pairing for these blends?

Bold coffee, spiced rum, and rich desserts work well, especially with the dark-wrapped pyramids. Herbal teas and aged spirits match the brightness from the candela or habano components.

What are the MSRP details?

MSRP is set at $13.00 per cigar for the 24-count mix box.

How does this collection compare to previous BLK WKS releases?

This is the most creative and technically challenging release to date, combining vitola innovation and wrapper artistry in a way not previously attempted by the brand.