Cigar Info
The Caixa, added in 2015 is the fourth vitola in the Laranja line which debuted in 2014. It is a box pressed 6 1/2 x 48 size. The name Laranja is Portuguese for “orange” and draws its inspiration from the orange tinted Brazilian wrapper. It features the same blend of a Brazilian wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler. They come in 20-count boxes, are a regular production addition and are being produced at Espinosa’s La Zona factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. The wrapper is called Brazilian Laranja. It comes from the Recôncavo region of Brazil located in the Bahia State.
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.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6.5″
Ring Gauge: 48
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Brazilian Laranja
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: La Zona
Blender: Erik Espinosa
Number of reviewers: 4 —– Alan (Eulogy) Stefan (Stefan) Wes (SosaCub4Life) Robert (NavyPiper)
Price: $11.50
Age: 9 Months
Release Date: July 2015
Contributed by: Espinosa Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 89
“I like the boxed pressed shape and that it has almost perfect seams. The wrapper itself has several green blemishes and a small hole around the foot of the cigar. It does have a very well applied triple cap and there are no soft spots, which can be a problem in boxed pressed cigars.” -Alan (Eulogy)
Aroma: 90
“Aromas of saddle leather and a touch of coffee emanate from the wrapper, while the cold draw exhibits shy notes of fresh wood with a good measure of stonefruit pit.” -Stefan (Stefan)
First Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“There’s a very mild, slightly sweet, tobacco flavor with a gentle pepper that lingers on the tongue found on the draw. The retro-hale has a much stronger blast of pepper. This would be a nice start of the day for a cigar, although it’s probably too large for a good morning smoke.” -Alan (Eulogy)
“The first third exhibits delicious notes of cream, sweet wood, and soft white pepper. Then, toward the end, some café au lait flavors. Medium+ strength (with sneeze-inducing pepper notes) during the first quarter inch, and (mild-to-)medium strength afterward while medium-full-bodied.” -Stefan (Stefan)
Second Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The second third adds some spice notes on the palate initially, as well as some stemmy notes which continue on to the long finish; it then becomes utterly creamy again while also exhibiting more defined woodsy notes. By the midpoint, strength bumps up to medium+, after which cocoa bean notes take over the flavor profile.” -Stefan (Stefan)
“The cigar has become more creamy as it has gone along. There is still quite a bit of overall spice to the smoke and more pepper spice on the retrohale. The burn line has stayed online very well and it keeps producing lots of smoke.” -Wes (SosaCub4Life)
Final Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The last third exhibits notes of wood and mushrooms, and a hint of cocoa beans, then a charred component with some hickory smokiness as the smoke nears the nub. Nicotine was finally perceptible with 1.5 inches to go, with no harshness until the last inch.” -Stefan (Stefan)
“There has been a hint of sweetness that has come in during this last 3rd. The major note is still the spice of the cigar which I do like. The stick is still thick and creamy and really pumping out smoke. Very good ending to this nice smoke.” -Wes (SosaCub4Life)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 91
“Great draw through a V-cut till the very end.” -Stefan (Stefan)
Burn: 92
“Slow, even burn, with relatively short ashes. Stayed lit for 4+ minutes at a time.” -Stefan (Stefan)
Construction: 94
“Construction has been good. Great burn, great draw, cigar holds a nice ash.” -Wes (SosaCub4Life)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 88
“I enjoyed the first two third, overall. The flavors started to take a dip at the final third and but it required too much attention to be really enjoyable. I had to relight it more than 3 times and the ash flaked off like snow. I would give it another change if I was offered on, but I wouldn’t purchase any in the future.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“A slow-burning smoke with a tasty, creamy flavor profile that made for 2+hours of pleasure.” –Stefan (Stefan)
“Overall I really enjoyed this cigar. I really liked the overall spice from start to finish and then the hints of sweetness that would come and go. The smoke was very thick and creamy and coated my entire mouth. This cigar really pumped out a ton of smoke which was also impressive. I have nothing to complain about here and would gladly smoke this again in a heartbeat.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)
“I enjoyed it up until the bitterness started ramping up near the end. Good flavors, well balanced and complimenting each other nicely. I smoke another or 4 any time.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 86
|
Reviewer
|
Appearance
|
Aroma
|
1/3
|
2/3
|
3/3
|
Draw
|
Burn
|
Constr.
|
Overall
Experience |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alan | Eulogy) | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 87 | 85 | 90 | 93 | 85 |
| Stefan | Stefan) | 90 | 90 | 92 | 90 | 87 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 90 |
| Wes | SosaCub4Life) | 95 | 92 | 95 | 97 | 97 | 97 | 97 | 95 | 97 |
| Robert | NavyPiper) | 88 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 87 | 85 | 85 | 88 | 87 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.