Blind Review: Cohiba Nicaragua N54

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Cohiba Cigars USA, released by parent company General Cigars, is one of the many post-embargo Cuban brands reincarnated throughout various factories in the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.  General Cigars has done a great job revitalizing the image of the Cohiba brand in the USA, despite its Cuban-tobacco-only heritage. To meet the increasing demand for fuller body smokes, it is good to see General Cigar finally taking its Cohiba label to task with embracing all the flavor profiles Nicaraguan tobacco has to offer.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Cohiba Nicaragua N54
  • Wrapper: Nicarauguan or Honduran Habano Oscuro
  • Binder: Nicaraguan (Jalapa)
  • Filler: Nicaraguan (Jalapa and Esteli)
  • Size: 5×54

Blind Review Notes: Cohiba Nicaragua N54

Appearance & Construction:

Let me begin by saying, that as soon as I received this cigar, I was hyped! First and foremost, it is a robusto with a thick ring gauge.  Secondly, its a beautiful maduro with a toothy, oily, veiny, speckled wrapper.  It’s light as a feather but feels packed firm from top to bottom.  This is a working persons cigar! The type of stick that any blue collar life-form stereotypically has hanging out of their mouths while performing an oil change or smacking a zombie in the head with a nail riddled baseball bat.  Long story short, “snowflakes” melt before cigars like this.  Even now, the hairs on my chest are growing thicker, and before you know it, adamantium claws are emerging from between my knuckles.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics:

The cigar is very aromatic.  The foot and wrapper smell like raisins, cedar, and molasses- the holy trinity of well aged and fermented leaves.  I decide to go with a traditional guillotine cut. The cold draw is filled with more cedar and a spice that karate chops me in the throat. My smoking environment as of late is ideal.  The patio is warm with a summer breeze and the humidity level is perfect, so I’m going to light up with my butane soft flame.  Contrary to cigar snobs everywhere, super-dark and oily cigars will light fine under soft flame without you having to put a pyrotechnic expert on your payroll.  It toasts perfectly, but on combustion the cherried ash reveals some tunneling- Intro: funeral dirge…What a way to rain on my parade!  We will just have to see how it smokes regardless.

The first few puffs hit me with a psychedelic trip of flavors.  If I were Matt Booth, I’d compare this experience to a 4-way bukkake where the lead startlet didn’t read the film script before shooting began…pun intended…I’m experiencing chocolate, hazelnuts, cedar and hot pepper all at once.  Good God! What sorcery is this?!  However, as satisfied as I am without the flavor profile, the flawed construction is proving to be more problematic then ever.  There is not just one tunnel, or even two…THERE ARE THREE!!! THREE TUNNELS! AH AH AH! Where’s the Count from Sesame Street when you need him?!  The wrapper leaf is no longer combusting in tandem with the binder and filler.  I’ve had to relight it twice so far.  I am still able to make out the typical sweet maduro nuances and some hot pepper.  The retro is spicy.

Just before reaching the finish line of the first third, I break out my guillotine cutter and amputate myself somewhere into the second third.  Sometimes, this minor ER surgery can help bypass poorly bunched leaves.  For those that don’t know, buncheros hold the filler in their hands as well as they can, but overcoming evolution isn’t easy! Your opposable thumb is always stronger then your pinky and ring finger. Even after wrapping and molding, the bottom half of that filler bunch might still have gaps in the mix.

Anyway, removing Medusas’ head helps a little bit. The second third proves to be almost Cubanesque.  Think: slightly fruity and floral on the retro.  There is also molasses and pepper hanging in the wings.

I get frustrated again because the initial tunneling set the cigar off-kilter.  I lop off a little more and time travel into the last third.  Yes, your dinky cigar cutter can actually defy orthodox quantum physics models! The final third appears normal upon inspection. This bunchero most likely only had a thumb and possibly an index finger… Don’t look at me like you never saw a two-fingered bunchero before. THEY’RE EVERYWHERE!  As I smoke the remains of such a flavor bomb, I think about what woulda’, coulda’, and shoulda’ been.  The nublet offers up burnt fruit, roasted hazelnuts, and espresso beans.  The retrohale is non-existent.

Conclusion:

It has been revealed to me that I just smoked the Cohiba Nicaraugua N54.  This cigar was actually on my “give-it-a-shot-sometime” list.  American Cohibas aren’t that BAD!  I’m just glad that General Cigars decided to try something else then producing more flavorless “Red Dots.”  My peers commented that I may have been a little generous with my scoring.  I can’t trash such a flavorful cigar simply because the bunchero may have been missing some digits.  This Nicaraguan beauty- for us us who smoke puros on the regular- should fit in the daily rotation quite well.  The Cohiba Nicaragua N54 pulls no punches.  It is a very true representation of the Esteli and Jalapa terroirs that birthed it.  Also, for those who are strict devotees to CT broadleaf maduro- the Habano Oscuro wrapper on the Cohiba Nicaragua makes for a good runner-up if your local B&M only carries legacy brands. Remember kids, if you, “cant knock the hustle,” you cant knock sabor either!

Final Score: 85

Blind Cigar Review: Micallef Reata Corona

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Al Micallef of Micallef Cigars has placed a lot of emphasis on the quality and construction of his cigars. I have been fortunate enough to smoke several lines and they always deliver in that area. The Reata line is a unique blend for the company using a San Andres Sumatra wrapper with an Ecuadorian binder and Nicaraguan filler. One of my favorite size cigars is the corona as I find it a great example of filler to wrapper ratio in which I can best taste the blend–so it’s great to see the company releasing Reata in this size in 2022.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Micallef Reata Corona
  • Wrapper: San Andrés Sumatra
  • Binder: Ecuadorian
  • Filler: Nicaraguan
  • Size: 6”x 46 (Corona extra)

Blind Review: Micallef Reata Corona

Appearance & Construction

This a dark oily wrapper that is smooth to the touch. There are a few long veins running along the sides and as I press the smoke, I cannot find any underfilled spots and am pleased to see that it is packed well. Visually the sheen is appealing and as I smell the foot earth and cinnamon dominate with an aroma that tingles my nostrils.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

My Xikar scissors take a precise clip off the head leaving a clean cut. The cold draw gives impressions of cashews, raisins, and dried dark fruits. With a soft flame I toast the corona and upfront there is cinnamon graham cracker with some vanilla bean. Once lit, the cigar starts off with lighter, milder flavors and the retrohale brings more vanilla to the olfactory with a bready finish. The ash is whiter than gray at present with a razor straight burn line. The draw has just the right amount of resistance that helps to bring out the filler tobaccos quite succinctly.

The smoke builds in the middle of the cigar and I am picking up salted pretzel combined with savory notes on the sides of my mouth. There is a distinct vanilla bean followed by cream that finishes short as I take a slow draw. The retrohale delivers cinnamon, coffee, and earth while I exhale. The body continues to be in the medium range while the ash holds firm attesting to the impeccable construction. As the finish lingers longer than before there’s gingersnap that tingles on the tip of my tongue. The body builds a bit and gains strength with rich tobacco that falls short as quickly as it comes through.

Not veering too far from the initial flavors, another puff on the last third delivers more vanilla and graham cracker with a drying sensation on the palate. There are biscuit and bready qualities that while come on strong upfront do not last long on the end. I’m enjoying the flavors yet wish there was a bit more complexity from this smoke. The retrohale has some all spice with wood notes that generate a surprising amount of smoke as I exhale. I am impressed how well the burn line has stayed straight throughout and the body has been mostly medium only slightly becoming full. Taking a final draw, the wood and cinnamon come on strong leaving me with a longer finish than previously.

Conclusion

I am a big fan of this size. I feel it can bring out a nice balance from a blend. While I enjoyed the graham cracker, cinnamon, and vanilla notes, I found the Micallef Reata Corona a bit linear as it never deviated far from those flavors. The construction was excellent and delivered a pleasant smoking experience throughout with a wonderful draw and burn. The finish was short which left me wanting more from those sweet and savory flavors.

I was not surprised to find out this was a Micallef cigar given the quality and construction I’ve experienced with so many Micallef cigars. I would recommend picking up one or two as it is an enjoyable straight forward cigar that you do not have to think about too much.

Final Rating 88

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Blind Review: Plasencia Year of the Tiger

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The Plascencia family has supplied tobacco for many cigar makers and boasts a large inventory of quality aged tobacco. With their own label they continue to prove that the care they take in growing and processing equates to a superior product. I have enjoyed many cigars in their profile and the range and blends always seem to impress.

In keeping with the Chinese New Year, Plasencia released the 2022 Year of the Tiger. This toro has a decade of aged tobacco from their farms in the blend. Read on for the blind review.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Plascencia Year of the Tiger
  • Wrapper: Nicaraguan
  • Binder: Nicaraguan
  • Filler: Nicaraguan
  • Size: 6” x 54 (Toro)

Blind Review Notes: Plasencia Year of the Tiger

Appearance & Construction

This imposing cigar has a silky claro wrapper that despite its size is smoother than I anticipated. As I feel the stick it is chock full of tobacco from top to bottom.  The smell from the foot is of barnyard with wood, notes of plum and pepper that hit my nostrils on the end.  In hand the roll is steady which is the hallmark of a premium crafted smoke.

Taste & Smoking Characteristics

Straight cut is clean from the head and as I take a dry draw earth, pepper and lemon zest hit the front of my tongue and the sides of my mouth. I gently torch the toro and my first puff is hearty with impressions of spice and citrus. My palate is quickly enlivened, and my next draw is a combination of sweet and spicy with rich tobacco notes. I take a retrohale and am greeted with almond, spice, and cedar with a richness on the exhales that lingers. The ash is whitish grey and looking solid thus far. The body is in the medium range and with another draw there’s coffee and Asian spices that gives this cigar a complexity from the start.

The flavors hang on long and there is more of a grey ash towards the midpoint of the smoke. There’s milk chocolate along with nuts as I take a slow draw that lingers. Another puff brings cedar and citrus with cocoa and cream on the finish. The body is moving into the medium to full range and a retrohale brings chocolate notes that become sweeter and end with cinnamon spice on the exhale.  I’m picking up more cedar and coffee that is rather pronounced. The head of the wrapper is beginning to splay a bit which does not seem to affect the flavor or draw just cumbersome more than anything. Despite this being a large toro it burns faster than I expected and with each puff the flavor continues to expand.

The last third of this cigar kicks up the strength with bold espresso and nuts that come on strong. Asian spice returns and even with the head of the wrapper loosening up, the complexity of the toro continues. As these flavors continue to develop, cedar and earth come into play leaving a slightly shorter finish than expected. I take a retrohale where upfront flavors of pepper and oak greet my sinus ending in a saltiness that comes through my mouth. With a final draw there is some wonderful notes of chocolate with a sweet and savory finish. At this point the head of the wrapper makes it difficult to smoke although it is pretty much down to the nub and has been a pleasure tasting

Conclusion

This toro delivered big flavors throughout the long smoke. Lots of spices, citrus, cedar, cocoa all lingering on the palate. Retrohale delivered nuts, chocolate, cinnamon, and wood that resonated in a medium bodied style. The one thing that hurt the score was the head of the cigar began to splay midway which was cumbersome while smoking however it did not affect the flavors.

On finding out this was a Plascencia blend, I was not surprised because of the nuances in the tobacco with the plethora of aged stock they have. I would recommend picking up at least one Year of The Tiger to try and if at $40 a stick your budget can grab more than the quality is certainly there.

Final Rating 93

Blind Review: Plasencia Alma Fuerte Sixto Colorado Claro

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Plasencia Sixto Colorado Claro Review

The Plasencia Alma Fuerte Sixto would be on top of the list when I think about unique shapes for cigars. Unlike the traditional four-sided box press or cylinder shape, the Sixto is a six-sided hexagon shape. It was part of the three original vitola Alma Fuerte release back in 2016.  In December 2020, a lighter version of the Sixto was introduced, with a ten-year aged Colorado Claro wrapper from Nicaragua replacing the original Jalapa wrapper.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Plasencia Alma Fuerte Sixto/Hexagon Colorado Claro
  • Wrapper: Nicaragua Colorado Claro
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua
  • Size: Gordo (6″x60) 

Appearance & Construction

The unique hexagon-shaped cigar gives off a strange familiarity to an ex-Dungeons & Dragons player. I find myself rolling the cigar between my fingers while studying it as if I was about to toss it on the table like a die. 

The cafe au lait-colored cigar had a soft sheen on the wrapper as the sunlight scanned across each surface. Upon close examination, several visible veins spreading throughout the cigar; reminds me of a Lichtenberg figure. 

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The wrapper gives off a faint sweetness, and the scent becomes more noticeable as time past. On the foot of the cigar, I got the fragrance of dry apricot.  After shaving off the cap with my Xikar XO cutter, I took a few puffs of the cigar and tasted dry apricot, matching the scent from the foot. I did not get any spice from the cold draw. However, my lips started burning after making contact with the wrapper and the draw restrictiveness was about 7 out of 10, which is near perfect for my preference.

A stream of velvety smoke starting to dance around my head as I was lighting the foot, and it carried a scent of sugary roasted peanuts as if I was passing by one of those peanut carts on 42nd street. I became impatient as the scent teased me to no end, yet I couldn’t quicken the lighting process since the cigar has a thicker ring gauge, and I did not want it to burn. With my patience came the reward as I slowly took a few puffs and let the smoke blanket my palate. The first thing that jumps out at me is the taste of freshly baked bread, then toasted nuts, dry hay, and red pepper spice. The finish on this cigar is refreshing, with a hint of citrus. The retrohale gives off lightly roasted coffee beans, more toasted nuts, and red pepper spice that kind of overstayed their welcome. 

The burn on the Colorado Claro Sixto is very even and slow. The ash held on strong as if it was holding together with glue.  I made it to the halfway point before gravity took its prize. 

The profile was pretty consistent two thirds in and the majority of the final third. After 2 hours, when I finally reached the nub, the red pepper spice ramped up significantly without losing any existing flavors and made me savor the last few puffs before putting it down. What a great way to finish the cigar; but was the journey worth this tiny amount of build-up?

Conclusion

I enjoyed the Alma Fuerte Colorado Claro Sixto. The combination of lightly roasted coffee with freshly baked bread made the smoke very enjoyable, and not to mention the impeccable construction. Unfortunately, the experience became quickly mundane from a lack of build up of complexity, spice, coupled with being an extra-long smoke. 

Final Rating: 86

Blind Cigar Review: J London LCC Exclusive Pyramides

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Jonathan Fiat owner of J London cigars has released small batch and exclusive cigars since coming on the scene in 2014. I have smoked a few cigars from his lines and enjoyed each one. This recent addition is an exclusive size for the Luxury Cigar Club company in a Pyramides vitola. All of J London cigars we have reviewed (Queens Guard, Box Pressed Churchill) have been well crafted and the construction top notch.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed:  J London LCC Exclusive Pyramides
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
  • Binder: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
  • Filler: Dominican
  • Size: 6” x 52 (figuardo)

Blind Review Notes: J London Pyramides

Appearance and Construction

The wrapper on this figuardo is a light Connecticut shade and is seamless. The head is distinctly pointy, and the cigar is firm all the way down the line. Rolling it in hand the craftsmanship is  letting you know this is a well-constructed stick. The foot smells of barnyard and oats with a woody undertone.

Taste and Smoking Characteristics

I take a straight clip with my Xikar cutter, and the dry draw is slightly firm with wood and tangy notes on the tongue. Using my Lamborghini lighter I toast the cigar and the first puff fills my mouth with earth and oak that lingers for a bit. The draw loosens up and there’s notes of biscuit, toast with a creamy long finish. Taking a retrohale white pepper and toast permeate through my nostrils with a touch of that creaminess on the exhale.  Thus far this smoke falls in the medium range with a noticeable white ash and clean burn line.

As I reach the second half the burn continues to be perfect, and I pick up sweet maple and earth that finishes just the same. Slowly drawing I’m getting cedar with café au lait on the back end which is rather pronounced. On the retrohale there’s cinnamon spice along with oak that is a bit overwhelming in the sinus. The smoke production is increasing, and the cream and sweetness is intensifying. The cigar continues in the medium bodied profile. Cedar mixes with the sweetness on my palate with another lengthy finish.

There’s a change in the profile as the last third gives a saltiness followed by barnyard and damp notes. As I puff away the salinity is still present along with marzipan and toast. Some minerality is detected on the draw along with dried fruits and nuts. As I retrohale citrus and cedar zing all the way from my nose to my throat. The body picks up a bit on the medium to full side where the earthiness returns although with a much shorter finish than the rest of the cigar. Some hay and cedar begin to development with another less elongated ending. I take a final draw and there is a sweet and salty combination that resonates to finish off the smoke.

Conclusion

This cigar offered a solid medium bodied experience throughout with some tasty notes of earth, maple, spice, and an underlying sweetness. The quality was top notch in terms of construction and burn. Save for the last third of the cigar the finish was long and savory. Seeing it is a J London cigar, I am not surprised. The complex flavor really demonstrates what a Connecticut wrapper can deliver with a choice blend.

I would recommend picking up a few or a box as this cigar would work well midday or night.

Final Rating: 90

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