Curivari Seleccion Privada Review

Seleccion Privada
Made by: Curivari
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 1/4 by 54

Number two for Curivari week, this cigar comes in at 6 1/4 inches by 54 ring gauge. It looks pretty similar to the previous “Leon” blend but I can tell from the foot the notes will be different. Let’s see what this has to offer with a Curivari Seleccion Privada Review.

Prelight

Again a wonderful cap, Curivari has really outdone themselves with the construction of the cigars. Visible seams, and just a few small veins. A lighter shade wrapper, and an even pack except for one soft spot near the cap. A cedar note is given off from the foot, with an undertone of mixed pepper. Again the construction of the cigars is proving to be flawless, no issues with the cut whatsoever. The pre-light draw shows a robust cedar, similar to what the foot was producing. Time to get this started.

1/3

Initially there’s a robust burst of cedar coming on the front. There is a slight white pepper finish, but it’s very subtle. More noticeable on the retrohale. As the first third for progresses there is a sweet cocoa note coming up on the front. However, the cedar is dominate. Mild to medium bodied, and low to medium smoke output. I would put the strength of a low at this point. There is a slight amount of harshness to the flavors, almost like it requires more aging.

2/3

The burn has been a little bit wonky but no touchups have been needed. That is a little bit different than what I was expecting, the construction of this brand is usually flawless. The sweet cocoa now has come up, I would almost call it a chocolate at this point. The body has risen as well but I would only put it at medium, strength is still at a low. The Cedar note is still dominant, and the white pepper finish remains subtle. The flavors seem to be balancing out toward the end of the second third.

3/3

As the last third starts to burn down there is a mixed nut note coming up on the front alongside the chocolate. Finally the profile is showing a little bit of complexity. As the cigar is coming to an end the white pepper finish has come up a little bit, and now includes a little bit of black pepper. The body is still at a medium, and the strength is at a low to medium. At the nub the Nuttiness and the chocolate are still on the front and the mixed pepper is still rounding out the profile. It was getting rather hot and squishy at the end, probably due to the soft spot I noted at the start of this review.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes

Conclusion: 84

While I was surprised to find that this was better than the Gloria de Leon, it did not surpass it by leaps and bounds. The complexity and transitions still left something to be desired. I am slowly discovering this brand may appeal to the everyday and consistent seeking cigar smokers. In which case it is right up their alley, in my opinion. The score does not justify the place that this cigar holds with this segment of cigar smokers. And that is simply due to the fact that it lacks the complexity, transitions, and highly developed flavor profile, that earns cigars higher scores. It did gain back some points in complexity due to its performance in the last third.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com