Last year Tony Bellatto of La Barba cigars introduced the Ricochet line. It’s name was originally Primitivo, but was later changed becasue of trademark issues. The line was meant to showcase Tony’s sommelier roots and each blend would compliment an aspect. The first blend showed his love of Italian Zinfandel or “primitivo” taking elements from the wines like spice, earth, leather, and a little sweetness and spice.
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 next in the line was announced this June, Ricochet Cru Mexi-Sol, a blend meant to represent Bordeaux. He describes it as very balanced and complex with a definitive spicy minerality, and a touch of soft sweetness. “Cru Mexi-Sol” comes from the cigars Mexican Sungrown Wrapper. It also contains an Indonesian binder and uses fillers from Nicaragua, Pennsylvania and the Dominican Republic. Cru Mexi-Sol is offered in four sizes: 44 x 4.25 – $7.00 MSRP, 6.25 x 52 Torpedo – $11.25 MSRP, 5.5 x 54 – $ 11.00 MSRP, 6 x 60 – $ 11.75 MSRP.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Corona Length: 4 1/4″ Ring Gauge: 44 Country of Origin: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Mexican Sun Grown Binder: Indonesia Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, USA (Pennsylvania) Factory: Tabacalera William Ventura Blender: Tony Bellatto Number of reviewers: 4 – James H.(Keikan Jim) Alan(Eulogy) Kevin J. (maninblack77) John I. (John I.) Price: $7.00 Age: 5 Months Release Date: July 2019 Contributed by: La Barba Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 94
“Size of this cigar is right in my wheelhouse. The wrapper is a mostly dark brown with a slight greenish tint. There’s a little extra glue that’s a dried on the wrapper, the seams are a little wavy in spots, and the triple cap is large but slightly bunched together it’s a nice looking cigar but some of the finishing touches could have been done a little better.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Aroma: 93
“Love the aromas coming from the foot: light coffee and baking spice notes.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
First Third
Blind Cigar Review: La Barba | Ricochet Cru Mexi-Sol Coronita
Flavor: 94 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Dry draw is sweet tobacco and cedar with a slight mineral taste on the lips. This little cigar comes out swinging! Loads of spice covers the entire mouth cavity. White pepper, baking spice, sweet spice……seems this little cigar has it all. Not at all what I was expecting from the aroma. Retro had a quick blast of cayenne pepper but quickly settled into a smooth white pepper. About an inch in, the entire cigar smoothed out leaving a long sweet and spicy finish. WOW!” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“Pre-light this felt like the draw was going to be far too open, but upon firing it’s actually functioning quite well. Opens with earthy sweetness, and puts a bit of a hurting on the retrohale. Burns so good. Twenty minutes in and I’m loving it. Rich earth and coffee notes with a nice edge of sweetness on the finish. Construction’s totally on point. Did I say I’m loving it? Cause I’m loving it.” –John I. (John I.)
Second Third
Blind Cigar Review: La Barba | Richochet Cru Mexi-Sol Coronita
“Some of the more interesting notes from the first third are gone as well any sweetness. Rich notes of tobacco make up the majority of the profile now. I’m still getting quite a bit of heat from the red pepper finish and a slight earthiness that buried way in the back.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Flavors continue to impress. The caramel sticks around as well as some hints of nutmeg and cinnamon. Cannot complain about the construction. No touch-ups needed and great smoke output for a corona. So far she’s batting 1000. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Final Third
Blind Cigar Review: La Barba | Richochet Cru Mexi-Sol Coronita
“Spices are back in full force as I reach the final third with cedar taking a back seat. Retro is warming back up as well. About half way into the third, the the cigar developed sweet cayenne spicy profile. Amazing transitions.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“A bit of spice begins to present on the finish in the final third. Kind of an anisette/licorice flavor finishing an increasingly bold and potent core of really deeply rich, roasty earth. Potency really ramps up toward the finale finishing up really close to being full bodied.” –John I. (John I.)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 97
“Beautiful draw that is just a little on the open side which keeps it from getting a perfect rating.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Burn: 93
“It wasn’t till the final third that it really evened out but I never needed to do any touch-ups or relights.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Construction: 97
“Really impressive construction. Tough to even pick any nits over this.” –John I. (John I.)
“This little vitola packs a lot of complexity into a small package. The shifts in profile throughout keeps you guessing with each draw of the cigar. Plentiful smoke output and beautiful long finish. I need a box of these. ” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“If you’re a fan of rich tobacco in your cigars than this would be a real winner for you. I think a little sweetness would have provided me with a much different experience. The bitter walnuts, heavy tobacco, black tea, and damp earth worked well but are dry on the palate. I have a feeling it would complement a morning coffee, wine, or liquor perfectly.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“This was a winner from beginning to the nub. Flavors were on point and blended well together to make this very enjoyable. I’d give it an ‘Excellent’. I will definitely be smoking this again.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
“Magnificent cigar. Loved it. Perfect format for me personally, and a flavor profile to match. Big, bold flavors of earth with a whirlwind tour of coffee, molasses, spices, peppercorns and a bit of an anisette flashing around on the finish. Tremendous construction; nearly flawless. Very extremely well made. Nice progression in terms of strength, starts out very manageable and builds to an agreeable and enjoyable full body by the end. Quite possibly the perfect cigar to follow a big meal. I’m buying boxes. No doubt about it. ” –John I. (John I.)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: La Barba | Ricochet Cru Mexi-Sol Coronita
Overall Score – 95 – Excellent
Blind Cigar Review: La Barba | Ricochet Cru Mexi-Sol Coronita
Summary
"Magnificent cigar. Loved it. Perfect format for me personally, and a flavor profile to match. Big, bold flavors of earth with a world wind tour of coffee, molasses, spices, peppercorns and a bit of an anisette flashing around on the finish. Tremendous construction, nearly flawless. Very extremely well made. Nice progression in terms of strength, starts out very manageable and builds to an agreeable and enjoyable full body by the end. Quite possibly the perfect cigar to follow a big meal. I'm buying boxes. No doubt about it. " -John I. (John I.)
