A.C.E. Prime officially launched this year at the IPCPR trade show and convention and made a big splash by getting a large beautiful booth and sponsoring the show. They launched fives lines at the show: The M.X.S by Dominique Wilkins and The M.X.S by Tiago Splitter, Luciano – The Traveler, Pichardo, and A Cuban Experience.
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.
A Cuban Experience is a line made by A.C.E. Prime for the cigar lounge, A Cuban Experience in Waukegan, IL. Three versions of A Cuban Experience were released, each with slightly different blend. El Elegante is a classic lancero size, and was blended by Eradio Pichardo and the late Arsenio Ramos. The blend uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan filler from Condega, Jalapa and Ometepe. It sells for $15 and comes in boxes of 10. The cigars are rolled at Tabacalera Pichardo, which is run by Don Eradio Pichardo, originally from Habana, Cuba, and Don Eradio, a third-generation tobacco agriculturist.
“Really nice looking lancero with a dark brown wrapper with plenty of seams, but no visible veins. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Aroma: 90
“Subtle leather and tobacco notes fill the nostrils while sweet and spicy grassiness flavors emit from the cold draw. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
First Third
Flavor: 89 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“Cream right out the gate mixed with some bread and coffee notes. Very nice start. Strength is a medium.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“This cigar started off with a creamy blend of leather, coffee and damp earth. The first inch burned quickly, and the ash fell easily. From there, the pace of the burn slowed down and the creamy leather settled in as the main flavor. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Second Third
Flavor: 90 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“There’s a lot going on this third. Notes of coffee, leather, cedar, nuts, heavy cream, and cinnamon are all making appearances this third. The smoke is very rich and has an almost oily feel on the tongue. Milk chocolate starts to develop at about the halfway point and it’s a very nutty chocolaty experience for a bit. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“The second third retained the rich leather from the beginning and brought a retrohale of kitchen spices. Part way into that portion cedar came into play both in flavor and on the retrohale. I was able to sense the strength starting to ramp up before the end of the second third. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“Spice does finally die down enough to enjoy the rest of the profile. Cigar has a floral sweetness followed closely by white pepper on the retro the earth and campfire.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Two hours in and the rich wood and leather continue to play on the palate, continuing as much as the cigar had been. The was an array of kitchen spices that would come and go.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 95
“Draw was nearly effortless which I love.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Burn: 91
“The cigar had a nice burn, only a few touch ups were needed, but that was my fault not the cigar. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Construction: 94
“One would be hard-pressed to find anything wrong with the construction of this cigar. It looked great, and smoked very well. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Overall Strength: Medium Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full Experience Overall: 93
“I liked this cigar. There wasn’t really any crazy flavors to write home about, but I did get coffee, cream and bread notes throughout. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“I know this particular vitola is suppose to be more of a cigar snob size but I love them when they’re done well. This one is fantastic. The burn, smoke output, and journey of flavors set this apart from most lanceros that I have smoked. I can’t recommend these enough. Go out and buy some. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Not my cup of tea. The overwhelming bitter and saltiness made this a palette killer. Spiciness was also a huge profile in and out during the whole time smoking this one. It did smoke and burn exceptionally well though! One and done for me. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“That pepper is bangin’ but a lot of cigar smokers love that, just isn’t for me.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Put simply, this was a delicious and elegant cigar. It was simply a delight to smoke and I wholeheartedly look forward to another.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Blind Cigar Review: A.C.E. Prime | A Cuban Experience El Elegante
Summary
"I know this particular vitola is suppose to be more of a cigar snob size but I love them when they're done well. This one is fantastic. The burn, smoke output, and journey of flavors set this apart from most lanceros that I have smoked. I can't recommend these enough. Go out and buy some. " -Alan (Eulogy)
