Cigar Review: El Tiante Habano Rosado

FTNYC received these cigars for review from an exclusive El Tiante event at the Nat Sherman Townhouse a few months ago. We’ve already reviewed the El Tiante Habano Oscuro, which I thought was a really fantastic cigar that showed the fingerprints of Don Pepin. This cigar is the Habano Rosado, which I eagerly looked forward to smoking as I’m a big fan of most cigars featuring an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. For this review I’m sitting on my back patio, though the photos were taken near the garden.

Blend Specifics

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: Piramide (6×52)

Appearance & Construction

This cigar features a textured brown wrapper, with a few veins, and solid construction that is springy to the touch (but not spongy). The band is a rich, maroon-like red, with “El Tiante” taking center stage, and “Habano Rosado” below. The scent off of the foot is slightly spicy, with hints of sweetness and woody.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The Habano Rosado opens with a very distinctive spice that brings dry wood to mind. I suspect this dry texture has a lot to do with the rosado wrapper. This holds stready for about an inch, when (just like FTNYC reviewer Kelvin mentioned to me a few weeks ago) an interesting note of peanut comes in, and the smoke transitions to take on a bit more sweetness. In the second third, the sweetness backs off a bit, and the note that is introduced is one I can’t quite place, though it strikes me as somewhat bitter. Throughout the smoke, the burn remained pretty straight, the draw has been good, and the ash was almost snow white. The final third smokes pretty similarly to the second, with the sweetness fading in and out.

Conclusion

The Habano Rosado, though enjoyable, doesn’t match the Habano Oscuro in complexity or enjoyability. It does, however, have great construction and a distinctive flavor profile.

Final Grade: B