Cigar Info
Before the arrival of the Spaniards in Costa Rica, tobacco was already grown by the natives in various settlements throughout the country. These crops were later extended and managed by the fist colonists in Cartago, Ujarras, Barba and Aserri. Production was initially oriented to family consumption and was also used as a payment instrument due to the absence of currency.
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.
It was not until 1638 that the first export of 1,000 pounds of Costa Rican tobacco to Panama is recorded followed by consignments mainly to NIcaragua and Mexico. These first exports by sea marked the beginning of this industry, which in the following years would acquire significant relevance during the colonial era.
Years later, in 1787, the General Captaincy of Guatemala granted Costa Rica the exclusive monopoly of production to supply the reign of Guatemala, and in order to improve tobacco quality ordered to import seeds and send workers from La Habana and New Spain so that they could transmit their knowledge regarding the planting and production of tobacco to the inhabitants of the Costa Rican province.
This lead to a notable production increase and to the greatest tobacco expansion in the country, which would enable it to develop a whole tobacco tradition along the years.
This cigar is for smokers who start venturing into the fascinating cigar world. With its sweet flavor, sumptuous aroma and smooth smoking, it has become the ideal cigar for regular smokers.
It is made with the best Nicaragua tobacco and features a fine light-colored Connecticut of Ecuador wrapper. It is an elegant and enhancing cigar.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Double Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 60
Country of Origin: Costa Rica
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic and Nicaragua
Factory: Brun del Ré Cigars SA
Blender: Carlo Corazza
Number of reviewers: 4 – Jeff (ExpendableYouth) Gregg (McGreggor57) Craig (WyldKnyght) Alan (Eulogy)
Price: $10.00
Age: 1 year
Release Date: July 2013
Contributed by: Brun del Ré
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 90
“The cigar has a nice medium-brown hue and smooth wrap lines. This is a pretty substantial cigar both in size and heft.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Aroma: 87
“The foot gives off a pepper and barnyard smell.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The cigar starts off with a light pepper, smoky cedar, grassiness, and leather. The smoke output and resistance is spot-on and it breathes very well. The pepper has begun to build a bit more as I continue into the first-third and it now coats the whole mouth. The other core flavors are still there, and aside for the pepper it has been a pretty consistent smoke.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“This cigar took a bit to light due to the size, 60RG I think. The initial flavor I got was some spice, maybe cloves. The burn had some slight unevenness and the smoke was oily and smooth.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
Second Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Although the ash shows no sign of dropping, I knocked it off to open up the flavors. The zestiness of the citrus moves to the back, allowing a little coffee to join the chocolate and rose notes. This touch of richness helps tone down the floral.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“The tobacco flavor is still the dominant flavor, but it has a slight bitterness that is taking away from the other flavors. There is still a peppery finish that coats the entire mouth.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Final Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The final-third continues to have the same oily pepper, smoky cedar, and leather profile. The sweetness has continued into the final-third, but it is not quite as bright as it was in the previous third.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“Some toast tries unsuccessfully to develop in the background as baking spices take over this third. Enough of the floral remains, creating an awkward balance with the allspice and nutmeg.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 88
“My cigar had a draw that was a little to air, especially for a longer smoke.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
Burn: 88
“There was a slight waviness that was persistent throughout the cigar, but it never needed any touch-ups or relights.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Construction: 88
“No construction issues to speak of.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 88
“A pretty nice smoke throughout. I wouldn’t mind having a few on hand to see how they age.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“The flavors and performance of the first two thirds was wonderful. The floral note paired nicely with the citrus, coffee and chocolate. I was a bit letdown in the final third but would not be deterred from grabbing another one.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“Overall this cigar was not bad, although very one dimensional. Maybe with some rest it could be better.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
“The flavors were almost the same during the entire smoking experience and with this size of cigar became rather monotnous rather quick. It did smoke well and if I was doing an activity where I wanted something that didn’t require a lot of attention.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 93
|
Reviewer
|
Appearance
|
Aroma
|
1/3
|
2/3
|
3/3
|
Draw
|
Burn
|
Constr.
|
Overall
Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff | 90 | 87 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 87 | 87 | 90 | 87 |
| Gregg | 90 | 95 | 90 | 90 | 85 | 87 | 87 | 88 | 90 |
| Craig | 92 | 87 | 90 | 88 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 88 | 87 |
| Alan | 90 | 85 | 88 | 80 | 87 | 87 | 92 | 95 | 87 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.