Winston Churchill Raconteur – 2016 Limited Edition is Shipping Jan. 21

The Winston Churchill Raconteur is packaged in a 10 ct. box and is a 2016 Limited Edition. The Raconteur has a secondary band inscribed with some of Winston Churchill’s famous witticisms.  Davidoff  of Geneva begins shipping The Raconteur to Anthony’s Cigar Emporium on Jan. 21, 2016. The Winston Churchill Raconteur 2016 LE is slightly modified version of the standard Winston Churchill blend. The Raconteur 2016 LE uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper compared to the Ecuadorian Rojiza wrapper on the regular production Winston Churchill. While they both use a Mexican San Andrés negro binder and a combination of Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, The Raconteur features a 15-year-old vintage Dominican San Vicente ligero alongside the piloto visos, hybrid olor/piloto visos, piloto seco and Nicaraguan ligero from Estelí and seco from Condega that comprise the regular production Winston Churchill.  The Winston Churchill Raconteur is slightly more complex and fuller bodied than the robust and deeply satisfying Winston Churchill.  All Winston Churchill fans should get their hands on a box of The Winston Churchill Raconteur 2016 LE while they last.  Davidoff has not made the exact production numbers publicly available, but The Raconteur is limited to the suplly of 15 year old San Vicente Ligero.

From a Davidoff press release: “When talking to his great-grandson, Randolph Churchill, I discovered that Sir Winston had written as much as Shakespeare and Dickens put together.  This Limited Edition honours one of the most dazzling raconteurs and prolific writers the world has ever known,” said Charles Awad, svp of global marketing and innovation for Oettinger Davidoff AG, in a press release.

Davidoff Winston Churchill Raconteur 2016 Limited Edition
Made by: Davidoff of Geneva
Place of Manufacture: Cigars Davidoff, Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Mexican San Andrés Negro
Filler: Dominican Republic 15 year old San Vicente ligero,piloto visos, hybrid olor/piloto visos, piloto seco; Nicaraguan ligero from Estelí and seco from Condega
Dimensions: Gran Toro (6″ x 56)

All boxes of the Winston Churchill Raconteur come with free shipping at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Order The Raconteur 2016 Limited Edition here.

Liga Privada T52 Belicoso Review

Liga Privada T52
Made by: Drew Estate
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 by 52 (Belicoso)

The bronze label of the Liga Privada T52 justifies it place in the lines produced by the company. This cigar’s usually looked at as a less popular blend among the Liga Privada’s. This will be my first time smoking a T52, so let’s see what the cigar has to offer with a Liga Privada T52 Belicoso Review.

Prelight

Lots of small veins, one or two larger ones. The cap is different than the usual torpedo caps, in that, it seems less complex. However, it looks sturdy. The foot gives off a black pepper and dry cocoa with a hint of fruit. You cannot see the seams on the cigar unless you look hard. Great cut, but there was a good amount of loose tobacco. Very airy pre-light draw, there is still a hint of dry cocoa detectable and mixed pepper. Let’s get this lit up.

1/3

One thing to note is the cigar did take a while to light. The front has a almost wheat bread taste to it, followed by mixed pepper with a good amount of black pepper in that mix. There is an almost jalapeño like Sting to the pepper toward the center of the profile as well. Tons of smoke pouring off the cigar. However, the smokes thickness is less than what I am used to with the Liga Privada lines. As the first third comes to an end pepper is blasting my palate. A mix of red, black, white, and that jalapeño note. Medium bodied, low to medium strength. No changes to smoke production, and it held a good burn.

2/3

As the second third begins cocoa is beginning to appear on the finish alongside the still powerful pepper. No issues with the burn wonderful looking Ash. Just wow, that is a lot of pepper, and not just one type of pepper, very complex pepper. If you enjoy that flavor this is an interesting smoke and you will be highly entertained by those notes. No changes to body or strength, consistent in that regard, the no. 9 held to that as well in terms of consistency. I did have a tunneling issue that showed up and required a correction, but it corrected all right. After that, a barnyard and Oak note came up similar to the first third of the Liga Privada No. 9.

3/3

Very consistent in terms of body and strength. Still wonderful smoke output, not the thickest smoke however. Good burn line, so no major construction issues other then the tunneling toward the end of the second third. Very complex pepper throughout the cigar.  It’s returning at the nub, the oak and barnyard flavors are staying strong though. There is some cedar playing in the profile alongside the oak in the front. Very different than the No 9 overall.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Conclusion: 85

I liked the pepper a lot and that helped the cigars score, good complexity, defined transitions. The reason this did better than the No. 9 in terms of flavor is because of the complexity the pepper notes offered. So the more recent T52’s flavors are better than the recent No. 9 in my opinion. I still had to hold true to the construction score, the tunneling was unfortunate. Had it not been for that, this cigar would have scored higher than the No. 9. The Liga Privada lines are always interesting the way they change each production run.

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

Liga Privada No 9 Toro Review

Liga Privada No 9
Made by: Drew Estate
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 by 52 (Toro)

I did a Liga Privada review on the robusto vitola, this will now cover its cousin the 6*52 toro. But before I get to the cigar review, there is a story. For this review, I was in San Diego and could not find a place to review this near my hotel. In my travels I found a wonderful little restaurant called Pampas, I would have reviewed the cigar on the patio at this location. However, it was already shut down for the night by the time I got there. But Marco, the head guy there, was very friendly and had the most positive response was to my inquiry of a place to review my cigar. Given that several of the places that I went would not allow cigars on the patio unfortunately. Anyhow, I was able to review the cigar in a location near the restaurant, so with that let’s see what this vitola has to offer with a Liga Privada No 9 Toro Review.

Prelight

There is slight tooth to the wrapper, plenty of medium size veins. A well structured cap, visible seams. The foot gives off a herbal mint with a background of white pepper. Very clean-cut, just a little bit of loose tobacco. And the prelight draw gives off a herbal note with a darker barnyard note alongside mixed white and red pepper. Red pepper noticeable via the spicy tingle left on the lips.

1/3

Tons of thick creamy smoke, barnyard flavors are up on the front with a cedar. Slight bitter notes mixed in on the front. Slightly sour note coming up on the finish. Unbalanced at the moment, and there is no issue with the burn line and no issue with the ash. The cigar’s saving grace is the creamy mouth feel from the smoke. As I reach the end of the first third, there’s a cocoa note coming up on the front of the profile. The bitter and sour notes are fading, the balance is starting to work out a little bit better. The burn is still straight, beautiful ash. And that mouth feel, that’s what really does it for the cigar.

2/3

A dry cocoa on the front is mixed in with a oak that came up. I think the oak was mixed in with the Cedar earlier in the profile but it was subtle. There’s a slight white pepper at the end of the profile. And the red pepper is still just on the wrapper, on the lips. Thick creamy smoke, medium bodied, and low strength. Dry cocoa dropped in front of the profile, barnyard has come back up, after that there is still an oak flavor. The oak is well-developed and there is a slight cedar after it matching the first third. No changes to body or strength. And unlike the other sizes of the cigar I have yet to really experience the minty herbal note that I usually find them. Hoping it comes up in the next third.

3/3

Oak and creaminess still dominate profile, the bitterness in the profile is actually coming from the dark cocoa taste I want to say. It is still pretty unbalanced, but the flavors are complementary despite the unusual profile, again I have come to expect things from this line that it doesn’t seem to be delivering. The mouth feel was still wonderful, medium bodied and low strength, no changes to that. Toward the end of the last third the herbal minty note has finally appeared. It’s Nice to know that some of the basic profile notes I’ve held true in the recent releases of the blend. There have been some management changes to Drew Estate, the quality is a little different, but this last third has been a salvation point for me for the company. Still worthwhile smoke because the mouth feel.

Smoke Time: 1 hour  and 45 minutes

Conclusion: 86

Not sure where to go with this really, in the past Liga Privada has held to a decently higher standard in my opinion. This cigar didn’t show that. Not that it was bad by any means, but compared to the recently reviewed robusto it was very different. Medium complexity, ok transitions, but other then that it lacked the luster I expect from Liga Privada. These things pour off smoke, and burn well, the mouth feel is an impressive aspect of the cigar. It would be interesting to see what aging would do to the most recent vintage of Liga Privada’s. The unbalanced profile needs to be worked out, I would like to think time could do that for this cigar.

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

Pampas Argentinian Grill – San Diego, CA

La Colmena Amado No. 36 Review

La Colmena Amado No. 36
Made by: Warped Cigars
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican
Vitola: 6 by 36

Warped Cigars have released several interesting blends, Black Honey, the Reina, and the Unico Series are all harder to find lines associated with the “La Colmena” line. This cigar is known to be a honey bomb. And with my past experiences with the cigar its reputation holds true. But let’s see how the cigar performs today with a La Colmena Amado No. 36 Review.

Prelight

One thing I do have to say about Warped Cigars as a brand is that they have found some wonderful rollers. As far as construction goes the cigar is flawless in appearance. Visible seams, well-constructed cap with a little pigtail. The cigar has a closed foot but it still releases a sweet syrupy honey note with a cedar undertone. There are a few medium sized veins and the band is simple but clean. Very clean-cut, almost no loose tobacco, and the pre-light draw reveals more developed woodsy notes than foot suggested. Slight white pepper tingle on the lips, and very easy draw.

1/3

Right off the bat there is a strong dry Cedar note on the front followed by a sweet hay and then a moderate white pepper finish. Medium smoke production and the cigar was easy to light. Medium bodied and no strength detectable at this point. The blended flavors of the sweet hay and Cedar produce a honey-like flavor. As the first third progresses those two flavors blend even more to produce the unique honey note. The smoke has gotten thicker, leaving a great mouth feel. The white pepper finish has died down, and quickly leaves the profile. The Cedar and sweet hay flavor stays in the mouth well past the white pepper note. The cigar is not presenting much in the way of transitions at this point. But the flavor is immaculate, and I hope it does not change at the moment because the next profile would need to be better than the current one to keep my attention. Right at the end of the first third the compact white ash dropped which is impressive for this rain gauge. Sharp burn no issues at all with that.

2/3

As the second third starts, the Cedar has come up on the front and the sweet hay is now following that note again. There is still a hint of white pepper on the finish, but it’s subtle. Medium bodied still and no strength detectable. My only complaint at this time is the burn time, it seems to be going pretty quick and I am enjoying the profile so much I want it to last. I’m at about the halfway point and the cigar is just reaching 30 minutes, I expect it to last approximately 55 minutes. As the second third burns down there is an oak accompanying the Cedar on the front. This is just giving off a heavier feel to the profile but the body is still at a medium plus. This is not the most complex smoke and not terribly exciting in the way of transitions but it is enjoyable in my opinion. Toward the end of the second third, there is a black pepper mix in with the white pepper on the finish creating a slightly bitter note.

3/3

And Cedar with the sweet hay maintains the front. Again not much is going on in the way of transitions, the main thing to note at this point is the white pepper finish has morphed into a mixed pepper slightly bitter note. Low strength and still medium body, great burn in the ash is falling off in perfect thirds. As I reached the nub the pepper notes came up as did the harshness and bitterness unfortunately. But the cigar did shine in the first third, and majority of the second third.

Smoke Time: 50 Minutes

Conclusion: 87

The score is misleading here, the flavor notes in the first and second third were wonderful. The cigar did exhibit a lack of transitions and lack of overall complexity, and that did hurt the final score. But that unique honey note is something that should be tried at least once. Personally, I do look forward to smoking another one of these on occasion but certainly not consistently.

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

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Boxed Pressed Torpedo Review

Le Bijou 1922 Boxed Pressed
Made by: My Father
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 1/8 by 52

This is the My Father Le Bijou 1922 box pressed torpedo. A shorter name that could be recognized is the “cigar of the year for 2015” according to Cigar Aficionado. I recently did a review on the Martino, a shop exclusive vitola of the Le Bijou 1922. So without further presumptions, let’s see what this cigar has to offer with a My Father Le Bijou 1922 Boxed Pressed Torpedo Review.

Prelight

There is visible tooth on the wrapper, and visible seams. As for the cap, it is well made however not perfect by any means. No soft spots, a few medium sized veins. The main note the foot gives off is a dry cocoa, and there is a floral note mixed in with cedar on the finish. The wrapper looks very oily and slightly more aesthetically pleasing than the Martino’s wrapper. The orange ribbon foot band adds to the prestige of the cigar. There was a bit of loose tobacco on the cut, perfect draw, slight cayenne pepper tingle on the lips. The pre-light draw reveals cocoa and leather with the addition of a complex fruity/floral note. Interestingly enough it reminds me of a note that was weak and the Martino’s profile. That may be a key difference between these two cigars.

1/3

The cigar lit flawlessly, and again much like the Martino it starts off with a robust cocoa. Secondary in the profile, there is leather and a floral hint of Jasmine. It’s nice that that flavor can actually be defined this early in the cigar. There is a white and cayenne pepper finish to the cigar at this point, there may be a subtle black pepper in that mix as well. Great complexity notes, a ton of smoke production. And the draw is as perfect as it was in the pre-light. Medium to full body and low to medium strength. The burn is not the straightest at the moment, I just hope that no touchups are needed throughout the cigar. As the first third progresses the cocoa maintains on the front. The Jasmine has fell, and the woodsy have developed into a mixed Cedar in Oak with some leather tied in. The mixed pepper finish has changed as well with the black pepper coming up in the white pepper and cayenne fading. Lots of complexity and lots of transitions occurring. And strength and body are continuing to rise.

2/3

Strength is officially up to medium in the body hasn’t quite reached full yet, I expect it to. The cocoa note has fallen, and the Cedar came to the front of the profile along with a light white pepper tingle. That white pepper carries through the Cedar, cocoa, and leather to the finish where it mixes in with a black pepper. Great complexity, the cigars on track to receive a perfect score in that category. Toward the middle of the second third the body has reached a full and the strength is still at a medium. The tooth is visible in the ash, and the burn is still not perfect. As the second third is coming to an end, there is a dry cocoa balanced with the Cedar in the front of the profile. This is followed by a light leather and a balanced mix of white and black pepper.

3/3

At the start of the last third, the Cedar has developed a lot, and I’m getting a grapefruit like citrus flavor on the front. That note was brief and fell back into a strong Cedar note followed by leather which is come up and the balanced white and black pepper. The body has actually fallen back down to a medium full and the strength is still at a medium. Toward the end of the last third the dry cocoa, Cedar, and leather all fell as mixed pepper began take over the profile. The mix pepper note included a strong cayenne, at this point the nub was getting warm and slightly squishy.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Conclusion: 93

This blend is much more developed than the Martino was. That justifies the score difference between the two cigars. There were a couple of issues, the burn, the cap could have been better, but both of those things fall into the construction category. The blend was perfect, I can see why Cigar Aficionado named this the cigar of the year. It would be appealing to casual cigar smokers and seasoned veterans. It is worth buying if you can find them. However, the Martino is a nice grab as well and would be easier to find. Happy hunting, and a Happy New Year.

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

My Father Martino Review

1922 Martino
Made by: My Father
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 4 1/2 by 50

My Father released a cigar for Anthony’s Cigar Emporium called the Martino. It was a short box pressed size of the 1922. Let’s see what this shop exclusive cigar has to offer with a My Father Martino Review.

Prelight

Recently, the box press torpedo 1922 won cigar the year from Cigar Aficionado. In my opinion, this cigar has all the aesthetics of the box pressed torpedo in a smaller package. A dark oily wrapper with visible seams, and a well-structured cap. One note though, I do miss the orange ribbon on the foot. However, having Martino on the cigar is a nice addition. The foot gives off notes of cocoa and pepper, clean-cut. A little bit of a tight draw, not expecting any issues there though. And the wrapper is leaving a cayenne tingle on my lips.

1/3

As the cigar starts it’s the strength is at a low to medium, and the body is at a medium full. There is a dry cocoa and leather note on the front with a pepper tingle on the lips, cayenne. The finish is a mix pepper, but the cayenne has my attention at the moment. As the first third progresses, there is a woodsy note coming up before the pepper finish. It’s reminiscent of Cedar at the moment, but the cocoa and leather on the front are overpowering. The burn isn’t perfect but no touchups needed, and thick creamy smoke. At the end of the first third there is a nutty note coming into play alongside the cedar. Great complexity at this point.

2/3

The pepper notes on the finish have blended. The strength is coming up slowly but I would still put it at a low to medium, the body is still medium to full and rising just as slowly as the strength. The woodsy notes in the center of the profile have developed, the cedar is stronger and more on par with the flavors on the front. Very thick and plentiful smoke production. Pretty consistent flavors on the front, the main switch ups are coming from the power of the different notes in the profile. At the end of the second third the dry cocoa and leather notes on the front are coming back over the woodsy notes.

3/3

As the last third starts the woods he notes continued to deteriorate in the center of the profile. And the mixed pepper on the finish has evolved as well, with a black pepper coming up over the white pepper and cayenne pepper. The strength is officially at a medium, and the body hasn’t really changed maintaining at a medium full. As the cigar has reached the end, the leather has come up over the dry cocoa on the front. The woodsy note has been completely covered by pepper. And the cigar has gotten a little warm at the nub.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 87

My Father did a wonderful job blending this cigar into a go to shorter smoke then the larger vitolas in this line. The cocoa/leather notes are robust and bring out a great smell. There was not an excessive amount of strength by any means, great cigar. The 1922 is a wonderful line and deserves the recognition as a wonderful cigar. “Cigar of the Year”…..that is opinion, but you will not be disappointed with this at all. If you ever come into town and have the opportunity to try one, it is absolutely worth it. I often send this cigar to other smokers, who I know will appreciate it as well. I think the main point of differentiation between this blend and the box press torpedo, is smoke time. Depending upon what situation you’re in, either cigar would be a great pick. But let’s see what the box press torpedo has to offer, that will be a review to come.

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

Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ Maduro Lancero Review

Series JJ Maduro
Made by: Don Pepin Garcia
Country: Nicaraguan
Vitola: 6 7/8 by 42 (Lancero)

The cigar is pretty hard to find in a lancero vitola. This was part of the Lancero’s collection by Don Pepin Garcia. The production on those was estimated at 1000 boxes, suggesting this is one of 1000 cigars released.  Let’s see what the cigar has to offer with the Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ Maduro Review.

Prelight

The wrapper of the cigar is very toothy and has plenty of medium size veins. Barely visible seams and an exceptionally well done pigtail cap. The foot is giving off traditional notes, cocoa and mixed pepper both very strong. My expectations for the cigar are high. The tooth suggests very thick creamy smoke that I expect to play into the profile alongside the cocoa notes. Perfect cut and a very peppery prelight draw. White pepper on the front followed by a black pepper. There is a slight bitter cocoa on the finish. There is a good amount of resistance on the draw, hoping that it opens up once lit.

1/3

There is a ton of slightly better cocoa on the front it is delicious. Pepper is detectable on the retrohale, and it is faint on the finish. There is a light cedar right before the mix pepper finish. But the slightly bitter cocoa is so robust it dominates the profile at this point. Full-bodied and low strength at this point. The smoke is very creamy, but it cannot contend with the cocoa at this point. The tooth is visible in the ash, and there are no issues with the draw it is perfect now. With eight years of age on this, it is smoking amazingly. I feel like I’m smoking a piece of dark chocolate, there is a note coming up on the finish somewhere between white pepper, leather, and cedar. The best part of this profile is the front by far. Strength seems to be rising to a low to medium and I expect it to rise further. As the first third comes to an end the finish is distinctly spiced gum drops. And it tastes amazing.

2/3

The cigar dropped the spiced gum drop taste. The front maintains a slightly bitter Cocoa and the finish is now a light white pepper. Good burn, not super straight but no issues. The ashes falling off in about inch chunks. The body is down to a medium now, and the strength is at a low to medium still. There is a floral no coming up just behind the cocoa, it’s actually quite strong and clean. Interesting transition, I will be interested to see if the cigar holds this flavor. At the end of the second third there’s a black pepper mixing with the floral note creating an interesting flavor that I cannot say I’ve tasted before.

3/3

At the start of the last third, the slightly bitter cocoa note and the floral note are dancing. Great balance, the cigars finishing off very nicely. Still medium to full body and medium strength. No issues with burn, although I did ask him myself once. It would be a good move to ash this cigar at an inch just in case. As the cigar reached the nub a black pepper came in to play with the floral note again. And the cocoa note came back up to control the front.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes

Conclusion: 89

This actually ended up being a pretty consistent stick. And I have no issue with that because the flavors were delicious, but it did lose points in the transition area because of this. There was the one main transition of the floral note coming up in the second third. Great cigar, if you have the opportunity to smoke one of these go for it. Again thank you to My Father for everything that they have done for Anthony Cigar Emporium over the years. And personally I hope your company releases these cigars again.

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

Crux Ninfamanic Review

Ninfamanic
Made by: Crux
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: 7 by 33 (Ninfa)

For a switch up I will be reviewing a lesser known cigar this time around. This size is an interesting one long and skinny, 32 ring gauge skinny. I am a fan of the lancero vitola due to the fact that they bring out the wrapper notes so much. I hope this keeps to that, let’s see what it has to offer with a Crux Ninfamanic Review.

Prelight

I have never had a cigar in this size before. Both ends are closed into a perfecto point, and the wrapper is a gorgeous chocolate. Barely visible seams and only a few medium sized veins. I was told only to clip one side and light the other as is. Due to that, I am expecting a tight draw to begin. The crux company did a wonderful job on the band for the cigar, it really makes sure it gets in eye-catching point across. I am getting a floral note off of the wrapper, however it is difficult due to the fact it is closed foot. Clean-cut no issues with the cap. And just as I spec did I cannot get a prelight draw at all.

1/3

Extremely tight draw, the current flavor note is a sour toasted marshmallow. Talk about a unique flavor, the draw is opening up slowly. The front holds a bitter cashew followed by a distinct creaminess and finishing on a tangy jasmine like note. There is an oak mixed in with the creaminess after the cashew. So with that I think it is safe to say that this is an extremely complex smoke. The burn is not perfect by any means at this point. Still a very tight draw, but good smoke output. As the first third continues a distinct milk chocolate arises on the finish. The ash did not hold on for very long, as expected with this ring gauge. At the end of the first third the creaminess was coming up in the center of the profile. Medium bodied and low strength, if it was a larger ring gauge I feel like the body would be a medium to full. But due to the tight draw it’s only reaching a medium. Also the burn evened out and required no touchups at all.

2/3

As the second third begins the oak is developing in the center of the profile. Also there is a white pepper zing just coming up on the finish. The finish dropped the floral jasmine, but the milk chocolate is still present in place of that note. The profile still does start with the cashew though. Consistent at a medium body, the strength is rising slightly but only to a low to medium. The burn is not straight, but does not need touch ups. The tight draw is still holding and I do not expect it to change. As the end of the second third comes, the nuts in the front of the profile are developing. A milk chocolate and Oak hold the center of the profile.

3/3

As the cigar is coming to an end the woodsy the notes take off. The cashew is the only nut note left on the front of the profile. There is a cedar and a deep oak that occupy the center of the profile now. And it is still finishing on a light white pepper with a milk chocolate undertone. The body never rose above a medium, and the strength held at low to medium. Not the best burn, but an astounding mix of flavors, transitions, and complexity.

Smoke Time: 50 Minutes

Conclusion: 91

Wonderful blend, a great switch up from the rest of the cigars that I have been reviewing this week. The complexity was well-developed and really showed through the profile. The transitions were impressive considering the ring gauge of the stick. Great burn-time out of it. Absolutely deserving of the 91, I wish I could give it more however did lose points due to the draw and burn in the first third. I hope to smoke another line from crux in the near future.

Curivari Reserva Limitada Review

Reserva Limitada
Made by: Curivari
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: (Robusto) 5 by 50

Number three for Curivari week is the one I have been looking forward to the most. This cigar had the darkest wrapper of the three. Let’s see what this has to offer with a Curivari Reserva Limitada Review.

Prelight

This is yet another cigar where the roller went a little bit crazy with the glue. Beautiful tripled cap, all of the Curivari cigars this week have had solid construction. Visible seams, medium-sized veins and a good amount of them. Spotty rapper, and as for the pack, there are only a couple soft spots. The foot is giving off a sweet cocoa and an undertone of light fruit. Perfect cut, just a little bit of loose tobacco. The prelight draw reveals a sweet chocolate, and there is a bit of a subtle tangy note on the finish.

1/3

As the cigar begins, the body is a mild to medium, and the strength is at a low. The sweet chocolate is the primary flavor, and there is a light mixed pepper on the finish. Great smoke output, the cigar has a nice mouth feel as well. Not the most perfect burn, but no touch ups have been needed. As the first third progresses, there is a subtle fruit note rising in the background. It’s hard to pick out the fruit at this point because the chocolate is on the front strongly.

2/3

The body is up to a medium now. The fruit note is a mix of plum and a slightly acidic note, almost a verging on a citrus. Interesting flavor note, very balanced profile at this time. The strength is at a low but is rising slowly. There is still a pepper note at the end of the profile, and it is noticeable on the retrohale as well. The body is continuing to rise slowly, and the main sweet chocolate maintains the front, that mixed fruit note is playing into the flavors as well. The slight pepper finish rounds off the cigar very nicely.

3/3

As the cigar is coming to an end the fruit note is diminishing in the profile. The sweet cocoa maintains the front picking up a little bit of a bitter taste. This justifies the wording change from chocolate to cocoa. The pepper note on the finish is coming up, it is a mix of black and white pepper. The black pepper is higher in the mix. The body is still at a medium, and as I approach the nub the strength is rising but I would still put it at a low to medium. Again the balance in the cigar throughout the first and second thirds was great. It is just starting to drop its complexity.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Conclusion: 88

In comparison to the others reviewed this week it was a step above the Gloria de Leon and the Selection Privada. I would have appreciated the fruity note having more power in the profile. There was actually a sufficient amount of complexity in this blend. The transitions were fairly smooth, and the burn could have been a little bit better. I would’ve preferred a higher body and a drop in strength. But the cigar is obviously appealing to a different profile then my own. On that note, it does do a wonderful job at maintaining balance and presenting unique flavors. This is the best of the Curivari this week in my opinion.

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

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