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 cigar translates to The 6 Provcinces, a tribute to Cuba, before its post-revolution decline. The first release in the seires is La Habana, or LHB for short, a 6 x 54 box-pressed toro packaged in a 20-count, numbered, limited edition, commemorative box. Production is 300 boxes at launch with more being rolled later. There will be 6 blends total each of them will showcase one of Cuba’s 6 original provinces (provincias) with custom artwork and a unique blend and size.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: San LotanoAJ Fernandez
Blender: Erik Espinosa, Hector Alfonso Sr.
Number of reviewers: 4 – Isaac M. (The Nothing) Daniel S. (Daniel S.) Diana (ArmyRN) Jason H.(Jokey Smurf)
Price: $16.50
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: July 2018
Contributed by: Espinosa Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 91
“This is a really sharp looking cigar that screams “Smoke me.” The vitola is a Toro and is also a box press with a beautiful chocolate wrapper. ” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
Aroma: 90
“The wrapper smells of sweet cedar and the foot smells of pepper with a slight sweetness. The cold had a flavor of sweet hay.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“This sample was a flavor powerhouse right out of the gate…blasting my taste buds with great notes of charred oak and pepper. If I held a mouthful of smoke I picked up just a hint of sour cherry on my palate, but just the slightest hint. As I pass the smoke through my sinus I get a significant but not overpowering pepper zing.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“This cigar started with little fanfare after putting the torch to the foot. Earthy tobacco built slowly from the start. That flavor was eventually accompanied by earthy kitchen spices like turmeric and coriander. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“The second third brought on a dry wood note that, when combined with the tobacco and spices continuing from the first third, became almost sage-like. The wood increased it’s presence and relegated the former flavors to background notes. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“So the second third has settled down a lot and I’m really enjoying the combo of flavors. A hint of black pepper mixed with a nice sweetness like cinnamon and some mild leather with a bit of cocoa. This cigar really turned around for me. I’m drinking a cup of pumpkin spice coffee with this cigar and it is pairing nicely. There is a nice spiciness to the cigar that is now taming down the grassy wood notes. Some oak in the background is good and I’m happy that it has toned down.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“The last third is hitting a nice sweet spot for me. The flavors have blended together nicely at this point and this is a nice medium to full bodied smoke with some nice flavors. I’d love to have more cocoa and coffee come forward but it is still a pleasant mix of wood, a hint of black pepper, cocoa and some spice with cinnamon mixed into it. Of course just when I say that the grassy notes came back forward but its not as bitter as it was in the beginning. The balance of flavor notes is hanging in there so the cigar definitely finishes off much better than it started for me. ” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“The final portion of this cigar has remained firmly planted in my wheelhouse by remaining just shy of full body/strength and maintaining a bouquet of flavors that are not only delicious but interesting. Charred oak and pepper are in abundance, while the pepper strength through the nose has ramped up to a brain tingling intensity that has me retrohaling puff after puff.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“With a v-cut, the draw was pretty close to perfect.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Burn: 93
“Burn was awesome, now re-lights needed and the cigar had a razor sharp burn line” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
Construction: 93
“The construction on this sample was quite good…from the appearance to the draw, to the burn performance…it wasn’t quite perfect, but was certainly good enough for this guy!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“This was a good cigar, but that’s about all I can say about it. It was solid, start to finish, with just enough going on to keep me interested but not amazed. In the end I’d say that it’s just as forgettable as it is nub-able. That said, I’d still have another!” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“Overall I would say this cigar is nothing special. I thought the flavors were plain and one note. I love pepper flavors but got bored quickly because it lacked complexity. Too many cigars out there to smoke this one again. ” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
“This was a different smoke for me. The flavors seemed odd at times but the last part of the first third and the second third were much better for my palette. I would smoke it again to see if the grassy notes were consistent in other cigars. Overall it was a fairly good smoke.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“This was really an excellent cigar that in totality was better than it’s individual parts. The flavors were excellent and a pleasure to enjoy. A bold cigar, and have it with a bold beer…something I’d recommend to anyone.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Blind Cigar Review: Espinosa | Las 6 Provincias LHB
Summary
"This was a good cigar, but that's about all I can say about it. It was solid, start to finish, with just enough going on to keep me interested but not amazed. In the end I'd say that it's just as forgettable as it is nub-able. That said, I'd still have another!" -Isaac M. (The Nothing)
