Cigar Info
Last February, ACE Prime announced it’s third blend in the Pichardo Clasico line. Pichardo Clasico Natural features a Habano wrapper and joins the Original Pichardo Clasico, which uses a Sumatra wrapper, and the Pichardo Classic Maduro, which uses a Brazilian wrapper, in the line.
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 Pichardo Clasico Natural only comes in one size, a 6 1/2 x 52 toro. The blend uses an Ecuadorian Sun Grown Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler. The comes in boxes of 20 and MSRP is set at $9.00 per cigar. Like all other, ACE Prime cigars, these are rolled at Tabacalera Pichardo in Estelí, Nicaragua.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera Pichardo
Blender: Luciano Meirelles and Eradio Pichardo
Number of reviewers: 4 – Ryan H. (Ryan H.) Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard) James H. (Keikan Jim) Alan (Eulogy)
Price: $9.00
Age: 1 Year
Release Date: March 2021
Contributed by: ACE Prime
Initial Impressions – ACE Prime Pichardo Clasico Natural
Appearance: 93
“This stick has a beautifully applied med brown wrapper with virtually no seams or veins. It has a nicely applied triple cap and a perfectly even cut on the foot. there is one slight blemish on the wrapper but I don’t think it’ll affect the smoking experience. ” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Aroma: 91
“Wood earth and nuts. kind of faint but smells very good nonetheless.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
First Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The dry draw is nearly perfect with just the right amount of resistance. A nice woody note covers the palate. If the first light sets the stage, this will be an excellent cigar. Dark wood with a hint of cedar zing. Delicious! Retro is very smooth with a hint of white pepper and smoke output is abundant. After about an inch in, I get…. at least what my mind has convinced me is buttered popcorn! Amazing!!!” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“As the first third opens up I am getting a natural sweetness with a touch of cedar notes” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)
Second Third
Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Profile hasn’t changed quite a bit of cream and cedar facing off for the number one spot. there isn’t a lot of complexity but is very good tasting and balanced. burn is still wavy but no touch-ups required.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“The flavors have remained unchanged from the first third but they’re richer and deeper now. I am finding the sweet tobacco notes more often now but it is still leather, red pepper, cedar, baking spice, and peanuts profile. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Final Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“still very consistent with the cream and cedar the faintest of black pepper spice enters at the back
of the palate and through the finish. even though the burn was wavy throughout the experience it never needed a touch-up. the consistency of this cigar is very impressive, if you love consistency in cigars this would be for you. If you are one who loves a balanced profile this is also for you.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Sweetness, mineral saltiness, a touch of pepper and cedar” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)
Overall Impressions – ACE Prime Pichardo Clasico Natural
Draw: 97
“Just the right amount of resistance to allow ample airflow without being wide open. Lovely.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Burn: 93
“I had to do one-touch up but I was smoking very slowly. Other than that one touch up it burned perfect with a solid ash.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Construction: 95
“Beautifully rolled with no soft spots and an expertly applied triple cap along with the near-perfect burn says it all.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 93
“Well worth a box purchase. I will be looking to purchase a box very soon. Very enjoyable; the cigar performs very well and tastes great.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Great flavors and construction, with a creamy mouthfeel.” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)
“From start to finish, one of the best cigars I’ve had this year. If it hadn’t been for the one relight, it was as close to perfect.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“It is a great cigar with near-flawless construction, great draw and smoke output, and rich flavors. The only thing really holding it back for me is the lack of transitions in the profile. This was a very large cigar and a very long smoke time caused it to become a bit monotonous.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 102
| Reviewer | Appear. | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall Experience |
| Ryan H. | 92 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 97 | 88 | 95 | 92 |
| Joseph S. | 90 | 85 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 93 | 90 | 92 |
| James H. | 95 | 95 | 97 | 95 | 90 | 97 | 95 | 95 | 95 |
| Alan | 92 | 95 | 92 | 95 | 92 | 95 | 93 | 95 | 92 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.