Today’s post marks the debut of a new name on our review list. Join me as I light up and dive into the Room 101 Doomsayer Passive.
This isn’t the first cigar from across the pond – or one unavailable on the Polish market – that makes its way onto Polski Aficionado. I’ve known the brand for a while and even smoked a few sticks before, but somehow, Room 101 never made it into a full review. Until now.
This particular cigar was a gift from my cousin – the very same person who designed the Polski Aficionado logo. He’s a budding (well, no longer entirely new) cigar enthusiast and a talented graphic designer. Without him, this review might not even exist.
I’m genuinely happy Room 101 is finally making its debut here. I’ve had the chance to smoke a few of their cigars, and I have to say – they leave a strong impression. It’s not just the edgy branding or the rockstar aura of Matt Booth, the man behind the brand. It’s the cigars themselves. Sure, the visual identity stands out – it breaks the mold. And while Room 101 isn’t the only brand doing that, they do it in a truly original way.
Since this is our first Room 101 review, let’s start with a few words about the brand.
Room 101
Room 101 was founded in 2003 by the man himself—Matt Booth. A former U.S. Marine, jeweler, and artist, Booth is as unconventional as the brand he created. Inspired by his time stationed in Asia, his work blends traditional craftsmanship with bold, LA-style flair. And although most people associate Room 101 with cigars, that wasn’t how it all started. The brand actually began as a high-end jewelry line.
Booth entered the cigar world in 2009, launching a partnership with Camacho that lasted eight years. During that time, Camacho was acquired by Oettinger Davidoff, but Booth’s original distribution and production agreements remained in place. When the deal eventually ended, he saw it as the right moment for a fresh start.
After a brief hiatus, Booth returned to the cigar world—this time teaming up with Robert Caldwell and A.J. Fernandez. New blends followed, and the brand continued to make its mark with that unmistakable Room 101 identity.
In 2022, Booth sold the brand to Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG), though he remained onboard as Creative Director. That role has allowed him to stay involved in shaping the brand’s identity—thankfully, because Room 101 without Booth just wouldn’t be the same. Credit where it’s due: STG seems to understand that. By keeping Booth at the helm of creativity, they’ve preserved the brand’s most powerful asset—its soul.
And about that name—Room 101. It’s a reference to George Orwell’s 1984, one of my favorite books. In the novel, Room 101 is where the Ministry of Love houses its torture chamber—a place where you face your worst fears. An unusual, even ironic, choice for a cigar brand. But then again, nothing about Room 101 is ordinary.
Room 101 Doomsayer Passive
Let’s start with the name. Doomsayer Passive might sound ominous—and it is, in the best way possible. It’s part of a duo that also includes Doomsayer Aggressive, with both versions offering different blends and smoking experiences.
For this review, we’re focusing on the Passive. And here’s the breakdown: the wrapper is a rich Ecuadorian Habano, the binder is Indonesian, and the filler is a bold mix of Nicaraguan, Honduran, and U.S. (Pennsylvania Broadleaf) tobaccos. It’s a complex and creative blend that reflects the spirit of Room 101—offbeat, unapologetic, and built with intention.
The Doomsayer Passive comes in just one size: Toro.
Some technical specs
The cigar comes in an oversized Toro format, measuring 6 inches in length with a 55 ring gauge. In hand, it feels closer to a Gordo than a standard Toro – substantial, weighty, and impressive. The wrapper leans toward the darker side, though it’s not quite maduro territory – just rich and deep enough to catch the eye. The band is classic Room 101: bold, distinctive, and unapologetically on-brand. Gold and brown tones dominate, blending beautifully with the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The overall look is striking without being loud – just the right mix of attitude and elegance.
The Cut
The moment I pulled the cigar out of its cellophane, I had to pause. The aroma was absolutely stunning—deep, rich, and inviting. Earth, coffee, chocolate, and a touch of hay all came through clearly, wrapped together in a soft sweetness that made the whole bouquet feel beautifully balanced.
I went with a V-cut for this one. The draw? Decent – nothing to complain about, but not remarkable either. On the cold draw, the flavor leaned heavily toward wood, with just a bit of earthiness lingering in the background.
The Light
I gave the foot a thorough toast with a jet flame lighter, then lit up with a few short, gentle puffs. After a brief rest to let the cigar settle, I dove into the experience.
Right away, I was greeted by a coffee-forward profile, quickly followed by hints of cocoa. The cocoa note gained intensity, soon joined by a subtle touch of wood. In the background, there was a distinct earthy tone, slightly mineral in character.
Then came a surprising twist: creaminess entered the scene—and at first, I was thrilled. But the excitement didn’t last long. The flavor started to feel flat, almost dull. That creamy note quickly morphed into leather, paired with a bold coffee kick.
As the cigar burned on, the profile shifted again—this time toward the dry side. Earth and dark chocolate took the lead. Near the end, a nutty finish rounded things out. Tasty, yes… but something felt missing.
Strength & Body
I’d place the strength somewhere between mild and medium. And honestly? That might be exactly what felt lacking. The cigar came across a bit muted at times – almost too soft for its size. That said, it’s still a big stick, so you’ll definitely want to eat something beforehand.
Smoke & Aroma
One thing’s for sure – this cigar puts out a ton of smoke! The aroma is rich and inviting, with a smooth character that reminds me of milk chocolate. It fills the room in the best possible way.
Construction
Well… it just wasn’t my day with this one. The cigar started burning unevenly, then it cracked. I fixed it, but it kept drifting—and cracked again. Unfortunately, that made it hard to fully enjoy the smoke. I had to touch it up several times with my lighter, and while the cracks didn’t get worse and were limited to just two spots, they still got in the way. A shame, really.
Final Thoughts
A real shame – my cigar-loving heart is weeping a little. This had all the makings of a great date… but it just didn’t click. The flavor didn’t sweep me off my feet, and at times, it even bored me. There were a lot of transitions, sure, but everything felt a little too muted – bland, even. That’s exactly the word I wrote in my tasting journal. I think it comes down to a lack of strength. And while that’s not necessarily a flaw for everyone, I found myself missing some punch, some edge – something to wake up the palate. Just a little bite would’ve done the trick.
And then there were the construction issues. Cracks, uneven burn… the cigar had a mind of its own. It smoked on its terms, not mine. Ironically, I kept thinking how fitting the name “Passive” was. In this case: weak, mild, underwhelming. I couldn’t help but wonder – what about the Aggressive one? Maybe I’ll find out someday.
This cigar was a gift from Patryk – a fellow cigar lover and the talented designer behind the Polski Aficionado logo, which still brings me joy every time I see it.
If you enjoyed reading this, let me know! Drop a comment or share the post – every bit of support helps others discover my cigar reviews and smoking tips. If you prefer to listen, I co-host a podcast with Piotr Siwiński called „Spotkanie z Dymem” („A Meeting with Smoke”) – currently in Polish, though who knows what the future holds? You can also find me on Instagram, where I share a slice of my cigar life – and a bit more. I always welcome a good conversation. That’s how great connections start – and they often go far beyond just cigars.
Stay smoky!
Mateusz Krzywiecki, @mateusz.krzywiecki, Polski Aficionado, @polskiaficionado
