Curivari’s Cafe Noir 54 is one of 9 lines that Curivari makes, all of which have impressed us in their performance, flavor, and consistency.

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium started carrying Curivari mid 2014, right about when I started working at the store level at Anthony’s on Campbell and River. While they weren’t really “New” (technically, the company started distributing in 2013), they were new to our humidors, and an interesting change from the traditional 20 count or more boxes. In small, rectangular 10 count boxes, we opted to initially carry 6 of their lines… until we tried one. Have they won any awards? Maybe not formally, but in my top 25 cigars of the year list, Curivari would have all 9 of their offerings tied for first place. I apologize in advanced if this review reads like a fanboy publication, but I promise you, I’m not just blowing smoke (heh) – If I can encourage anyone to try a new cigar this year, it would be any – and all – of Curivari’s offerings.

I want everyone to know the joy I’ve discovered in Curivari, so as of the posting of this review, You can get 10% off all Curivari in stock, by applying code curivari10 in your Anthony’s Cigar Emporium shopping cart! This promo code works on both boxes AND sticks!

On to the tasting!

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First Third:

I’ll usually punch or traditional cut the Curivari Cafe Noir 54, depending upon how fast I feel like smoking. Unlike other cigars, Cafe Noir, Buenaventura, El Gran Rey, Reserva Limitada 1000’s, Classica, and Selection Privada are all very forgiving in regards to smoking speed. I do find that the Achilles, Gloria De Leon, and Cafe lines prefer to be smoked a little slower to really pull out the flavor.

With a very easy, smooth draw, the Cafe Noir 54 initially starts with a chocolate flavor that quickly moves into a raw vanilla bean within the first inch, with a grassy and fresh finish on the palate. Buttery and nutty on the retrohale, there’s a very rich and full toastiness to the smoke, but not enough nicotine to scare off mild smokers, though I’d put the cigar on the whole in the mild to medium category.

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Second Third:

With the second third all to quickly in sight, the transition and development of flavors are subtle. Usually, when that’s the case, I’ll resort to retrohaling to amplify the change.

I occasionally do a full-retrohale – instead of 50% air / 50% smoke, Ill exhale all the way, and do a full 100% smoke exhale. On stronger cigars, this is a terrible idea. If you do it with an LFD, you’re going to ruin your palate.

On the Cafe Noir 54, however, you get nothing but an amplified buttercream note with a bright grassy finish that functions almost as a pallate cleanser.

Moving out of the second third, the grass moves away and a leather joins the buttery creaminess.

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Last Third:

At this point, the cigar is a solid medium – as it develops, it moves deeper into leather, a slight note of baking spices and earthy notes, moving away from the initial grass and buttery cream. This is a cigar I always smoke to the nub – I don’t want to put it down when my finger tips are burning, but it’s sadly apparent that the cigar is done.

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Final Thoughts:

With medium smoke production, the real star of the show is Curivari’s blend – the flavors are so harmonious and the transitions between thirds very defined, but not shocking or sudden.

As I’ve smoked so many, I can also confidently say that Curvari’s construction and draw is exceptional, both in consistency and as a smoking experience on the whole. I have never had a Curivari draw poorly, and even when the wrapper pops or cracks, the flavor is minimally affected.

The size differences within each line influence the smoking time – I don’t know how they’ve done it, but the difference between a Cafe Noir 54 and a Cafe Noir 62 is how long the smoke lasts. An incredible feat considering within most other brands the size has a substantial influence on flavor.

In conclusion, if you haven’t tried Curivari, I seriously urge you to give it a smoke. We have them in stock, and as I mentioned at the start of this review, we’re offering 10% all our Curivari stock with promo code: curivari10

Buy now!