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.
EspinosaReggae is covered in a an rosado Ecuadoran wrapper and Nicaraguan seco binder with Jamaican lengua de vaca and Nicaraguan fillers. The cigars come in 20-count boxes in three sizes—Robusto Grande, measuring 5 1/2 inches by 54 ring gauge; Toro, 6 by 52; and Short Churchill, 6 1/2 by 48—all of which retail for about $10.
The Dread, named for the several long pigtails on the cap resembling dreadlocks, has an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan seco binder, and Nicaraguan, Honduran and Jamaican lengua de vaca fillers. These cigars come in one size—a 6 by 56 Toro Grande—packed in seven-count boxes. The Dread will retail for $12.
The Reggae blend was originally supposed to be a part of the Espinosa Backroom Series – a series of exclusive cigars for Espinosa Lounges. The limited distribution of that cigar was because of the limited access to the Jamaican tobacco. Since the drop of FDA regulations on new brands, they released it nationally.
Editors Note:
With the “Dreads” still on the cigar it would have easily been identified by a reviewer, so before distribution, we cut off the Dreads on the cap. This was taken into account when calculating the numbers and it did not affect final score.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 56
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan seco
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran and Jamaican lengua de vaca
Factory: La Zona
Blender: Erik Espinosa
Number of reviewers: 4 – Ryan H.(Ryan H.) Mickey T. (irratebass) Isaac M. (The Nothing) Jason H.(Jokey Smurf)
Price: $12.00
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: not yet released
Contributed by: Espinosa Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 88
“A very “manly” cigar, it was very rustic and toothy. I believe this was a toro with a 54 rg. Light brown shade.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Aroma: 90
“This cigar smelled of rich tobacco and a bit of graham cracker.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium
“On the cold draw I picked up sweet tobacco mixed with coffee, cocoa, salt, and toffee. There is a nice sweet tobacco to start with toffee and hazelnut. This reamined until the second third.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“This cigar started up very cool with light tobacco flavors with a touch of oak. The flavors were sweet overall, without a hint of pepper. It’s very light overall.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“Mild in strength. Very easily could be labled a morning smoke. Nice and smooth. Molasses taking center stage. Molasses leaves out pretty quickly paving the way for light cashew. Draw and burn have been spot on.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“The flavors have really mellowed as I enter the second portion of this cigar. The copper is gone and the light pepper is in the front. The finish is silky smooth and the smoke seems to be carrying plenty of oil. This light profile is really pretty nice… Baking spice and light pepper is captivating.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Final Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The final third was a continuation of what this cigar has been overall: light flavors of tobacco and oak. The only thing that I noticed as things went along was an increase in temperature.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“The final third of this sample has continued to be silky smooth and full of baking spice and light pepper. I’m really enjoying the Nettie of the smoke as it is light enough to allow me to retrohale on every puff if I choose and not ruin my sinuses or sense of taste. This is one I’ll squeeze every inch out of. One additional interesting point is that in the final third the smoke was absolutely billowing from this cigar… Its really incredible how much the smoke output has increased.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 93
“The draw on this cigar was superb and almost didn’t need me to use my punch cutter due to the hole that was in the cap prior to me receiving the cigar. Upon cutting the draw was just right for me…” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Burn: 92
“For a large cigar I am very pleased with the burn performance. It was never quite razor sharp but never wavered more than a bit and never needed any help or relights even with a significant breeze.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Construction: 88
“The burn, draw, and look of this cigar shows that this was a very well made cigar.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Light-Medium
Experience Overall: 91
“Nice well rounded cigar would def keep a few in the hummi” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“This cigar just didn’t do it for me. It was very spongy to the touch, and not firmly packed at all, which really concerned me to start. The cigar started out ok with some toffee, and hazelnut, but after the first ash fell off it went downhill from there. The ash became flaky, and continued to be that way the rest of the smoke. Several relights were needed. A bit of sweetness showed up and some hay/wheat, but nothing else really. The cigar went out at the 59 min mark with an inch and a half to go, I did not relight.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“For me, this cigar was lacking in the flavor and complexity departments. It was way too mild for me to find enjoyment. However, it is something that could easily be enjoyed by those that are either new to cigar smoking or those that prefer milder cigars, bucking the trend of bigger-badder smokes.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“This is a damn good cigar. It was slightly milder than I typically prefer but the interesting mix of flavors kept my attention and didn’t leave me wanting more. I’d recommend this to anyone who likes a cigar that is just south of medium strength and would also have no issues handing one to my friends who seldom smoke. This one is worthy of smoking to the nub and is worthy of a place in my humidor.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
"This is a damn good cigar. It was slightly milder than I typically prefer but the interesting mix of flavors kept my attention and didn't leave me wanting more. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes a cigar that is just south of medium strength and would also have no issues handing one to my friends who seldom smoke. This one is worthy of smoking to the nub and is worthy of a place in my humidor." -Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
