Last year, Miami Cigar & Company re-released the Nestor MirandaSpecial Selection to celebrate their 30th anniversary. The cigar was originally released in the mid-2000’s. As before, it is made at the My Father Cigars factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
The blend uses a HabanoRosado wrapper, Nicaraguan criollo 98 binder, and fillers from the Condega, Estelí and Jalapa regions of Nicaragua. It comes in three sizes: Coffee Break (4 1/2 x 50) — $6.95, Toro (5 1/2 x 54) — $7.50, and Gran Toro (6 x 60) — $7.95.
“The wrapper is a warm medium brown with hints of red like the bark of a pine tree.” –Allison T. (The Yoga Ash)
Aroma: 92
“The body of the cigar is a muted barnyard and dried fruit. The foot of the cigar has strong raisin. The cold draw is a wonderful honey sweetness.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
First Third
Flavor: 88 Strength: Medium-Strong Body/Complexity: Medium
“First few puffs give me a strong black coffee flavor along with with a leather note and a little bit of harshness. There are also notes of cedar and black cherry hitting my tongue. Smoke output is light and wispy. Draw is nearly perfect for me. There is a slight pepper on the retrohale. I would put the strength at the light in the medium full range. Getting past the one inch mark, the harshness has gone away and the coffee flavor is prominent. The cedar is still there and the retrohale is smooth with just a hint of pepper. Burn is great thus far, with a night slightly wavy line all the way around. Much better than I have experienced with 60 ring gauge cigars. Strength is still medium full as is the body. The flavors blend nicely together with a slightly bitter finish hitting the back of the tongue.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
“The draw started off a little strangled, however still had great smoke output. Slight pepper tingled the tip of the tongue that carried into earth and nuts. The draw opened up after a few puffs and created a tight burn. The pepper dissipated quickly but the earth and nuts stayed strong through the first third.” –Jake P. (Jake P.)
Second Third
Flavor: 86 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“Starting off the second 3rd, flavors of fresh sourdough bread very slight spiciness on the tip of tongue rolled together which then gave way quickly to an oakiness to the middle of the tongue. Towards the end of second 3rd the spiciness amped up and went to the back of throat and finally there was a boldness of flavor. It almost feels and draws that you have to keep on this cigar to keep it going.” –Allison T. (The Yoga Ash)
“Getting into the second third of the cigar, I am picking up a salty walnut flavor, and a mixture of dry toast. The harshness I experienced in the first inch has returned. Surprisingly, in the time it took to type my notes, the cigar went out and required a re-light. Upon relight, the harshness immediately disappears and is replaced with a dry, salty roasted peanut. The leather from the first third is still there as is a faint hint of cedar. Smoke production has picked up and the burn line remains straight and slightly wavy. The ash is tight a light grey. Draw has remained nice and firm, which is perfect for me. ” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
Final Third
Flavor: 87 Strength: Medium-Strong Body/Complexity: Medium
“So far this cigar has been flavorful, while not overly complex. The final third comes at the 1 hour 35 minute mark. The flavors in the final third really remain unchanged from the second third. Salty walnut and toast with a light cedar note. Burn is still going strong, and the strength is staying right in the medium full range. The cigar has been OK, but not really to my liking.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
“Pepper came in and out during the final third. Flavor stayed mostly with earth and nut running the show adding a leathery feel at times.” –Jake P. (Jake P.)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 93
“The draw on this cigar has been phenomenal. Just right amount of resistance which creates the perfect amount of smoke on the palate.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
Burn: 91
“This cigar burned close to razor sharp. No touch-ups needed from me but I can see someone who is OCD about their burn line touching it up a little.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
Construction: 93
“The burn and draw lends to the fact that the construction of this cigar is excellent.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong Overall Body/Complexity: Medium Experience Overall: 86
“This cigar was fun to smoke. Though it may not be my favorite size, I prefer a 42-48RG, I never once felt uncomfortable smoking it. It was ever changing and kept my interest throughout. This would make a great cigar that could be enjoyed as you were day drinking. Would pair well with any type of spirit and most wines due to it flavor profile. It is a little bit of a time commitment due to it’s size but well worth it. I will have to grab a few for my next beer fest or social gathering where I know I will have the time to enjoy it. ” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
“Not thrilling, I think this cigar would be better in small vitola. There is just not a lot of flavor & seem to have a time keeping lit.” –Allison T. (The Yoga Ash)
“This was a enjoyable smoking experience. While I personally do not favor large ring gauge cigars, those that do, and like the dryer, nutty, woodsy flavor profile, will find this cigar superb. I smoked this cigar fairly slow and tried to really savor every puff. I would probably not smoke it again though, as again, I am not a fan of Gordo cigars and the flavors were just not what I look for in a cigar” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
“Well constructed with a solid burn. Flavor stayed consistent during the smoke with earth and nuts.” –Jake P. (Jake P.)
Blind Cigar Review: Nestor Miranda | Special Selection Gran Toro
Summary
"This cigar was fun to smoke. Though it may not be my favorite size, I prefer a 42-48RG, I never once felt uncomfortable smoking it. It was ever changing and kept my interest throughout. This would make a great cigar that could be enjoyed as you were day drinking. Would pair well with any type of spirit and most wines due to it flavor profile. It is a little bit of a time commitment due to it's size but well worth it. I will have to grab a few for my next beer fest or social gathering where I know I will have the time to enjoy it. " -Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
