Cigar Info
This is the second iteration of the CLE Signature Series, a small batch line released by CLE Cigars late 2014.. This year’s edition is made in Honduras at Julio Eiroa’s Las Lomas factory, and unlike last year’s edition, it features bands. The new CLE Signature Series was officially unveiled at the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show in New Orleans.
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.
Last year’s CLE Signature Series was known as PLdM – which stands for Primera Liga de Miami and scored a 91 here. Its name was derived from the fact that the cigar was produced in Miami. It was originally released as an unbanded cigar.CLE Cigar Company founder Christian Eiroa said it was released unbanded because he wanted to the cigar to stand on its own.
The cigar is being released in the same four sizes as last year with a similar pricing structure. The cigars are packaged in 25 boxes. There are 4 vitolas available: 5 1/2 x 46 (MSRP $15.00), 4 1/2 x 50 (MSRP $16.00), 6 x 52 (MSRP $17.00), 6 x 60 (MSRP $18.00)
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Robusto
Length: 4.5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Undisclosed
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed
Factory: Las Lomas
Blender: Christian Eiroa
Number of reviewers: 4 —– Alan (Eulogy) Gregg (McGreggor57) Craig (WyldKnyght) Eric (smalls29)
Price: $16.00
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: July 2015
Contributed by: C.L.E. Cigar Company
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 92
“The wrapper is a medium-brown with two medium sized veins that run the length of the cigar. It is oil free to the touch and the wrapper has a nice leathery feel to it.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Aroma: 90
“The wrapper on this cigar smelled of cocoa, the foot had an aroma of tobacco, and the dry puff had an earthy flavor.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“I used a punch instead of a guillotine cutter because the foot of the cigar felt very soft and I’m glad I did. The draw is very loose but is producing copious amounts of smoke. The only real flavor that I am able to pick up is a strong rich, tobacco flavor with a slight red pepper finish. There is a slight bitterness that develops if I smoke at my normal pace and I’m finding that I need to take a puff every 2 or 3 minutes now.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“The initial flavor I got was that of woody taste and some hints of pepper. The flavor did mellow a bit as it when along. The burn was a little uneven, but not bad.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
Second Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“A nice transition as some dark roast coffee enters the mix. The char from the toast lessens allowing some aroma of autumn in. Damp leaves, wet grass and mossy notes work nicely with the oak and earthiness.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“As I move into the second third, the flavors have mellowed significantly. The peppery flavors are very minimal and the cedar flavor has toned down quite a bit. The nice espresso flavor is still present which makes this still an enjoyable smoke. The only downfall was the cracking of the wrapper leaf. This caused the cigar to slowly begin to fall apart between my fingers.” –Eric (smalls29)
Final Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“As the toast fades the coffee increases in depth. The richness of the earthy notes really shine. My only complaint is that I’m at the nub with no more cigar to enjoy.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“The final 3rd started to pick up more of the pepper and the woody and earthy flavors mellowed. The draw was very good.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 95
“Spot on from the first draw off this cigar.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
Burn: 94
“There were times where the burn got a little wavy but it didn’t require any touch ups.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Construction: 89
“This cigar was firm with a little give when squeezed, looked good and smoked good, to me that means it was well constructed.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 89
“It was a good average cigar. For those who enjoy rich tobacco notes and pepper will probably really enjoy these. If the construction was a little better it might have been a slightly different experience.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“I really enjoyed the full flavors offered by this cigar and the transition in strength and body appeared intentional. Despite a spicy start to the profile the earthy flavors were still able to break through early. The give and take of coffee and toast helped create another level of interest that would have me picking up more of these to smoke.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
“This cigar was very good, overall I would say it is something I would smoke again. Great flavor profile, good construction.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)
“I was impressed the first half of the cigar. The flavors were enjoyable and not over powering. The taste of cedar and espresso were pleasing to the palate. However, as I began the final third, the flavors gave way to a strong, sour taste. I do not enjoy this because it leaves a bad after taste. Overall I enjoyed the cigar and imagined myself smoking it by a camp fire at the beach or in the mountains.” –Eric (smalls29)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 51
|
Reviewer
|
Appearance
|
Aroma
|
1/3
|
2/3
|
3/3
|
Draw
|
Burn
|
Constr.
|
Overall
Experience |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alan | Eulogy) | 92 | 92 | 88 | 90 | 92 | 83 | 93 | 88 | 88 |
| Gregg | McGreggor57) | 92 | 90 | 90 | 92 | 90 | 97 | 97 | 92 | 90 |
| Craig | WyldKnyght) | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 92 | 90 |
| Eric | smalls29) | 88 | 90 | 88 | 88 | 85 | 97 | 95 | 85 | 88 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.