Blind Cigar Review: Valentia | Lucido

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Double Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 56
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Desflorado
Binder: Indonesia Besuki, Nicaragua
Filler: Santo Domingo Seco, Ligero Habano, Viso Nicaragua
Number of reviewers: 5 —– Gregg (McGreggor57) Cindy (Ms_CindyLynn) Emmett (rhetorik) Craig (WyldKnyght) Milton (mjohnsoniii)
Price: Unknown
Age: 5 months rest
Release Date: July 2013
Contributed by: Valentia Cigars

Cigar Info

From Manufacturer – “In a move designed to enable cigar retailers to satisfy smokers that prefer “fat” cigars, Valentia Cigars has introduced LUCIDO, a premium cigar hand-rolled using a larger amount of more varied filler tobacco than is possible to use in thinner cigars. Lucido is expertly hand rolled in Dominican Republic by master craftsmen who ensure that the deliciously complex taste and aroma achieved by having a larger ratio of filler-to-wrapper tobacco is matched by a perfect draw that is neither too easy nor too hard. With its consistently complex taste and aroma, perfect draw, even burn and firm ash, LUCIDO is an elegant and cosmopolitan choice for cigar aficionados everywhere.”

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 91

“Smooth. Minimal veins. Uniform in color with an oily sheen to it. This cigar is an above-average looking stick. It was rolled by a very skillful torcedor.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)

Aroma: 90

“This cigar smells like honey and chocolate. The dry puff is more of a musty moss like flavor.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Construction: 88

“Very well constructed, solid and firm with a little give when squeezed. No hard or soft spots detected.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

First Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“Started off very mild with grassy and vegital overtones. No spice at all and a bit of toasted pine nut on the retrohale. Toward the end of the first third, more toasted flavors showed up. A mildly wavey burn from the start but initial problems at the foot didn’t seem to affect it much.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“The first third gave off a woody flavor. It was a general wood flavor, until oak really came into play. The smoke was very velvety on the palate, with slight clove. Near the middle of this third there were hints of leather which then surfaced towards the end.” –Cindy (Ms_CindyLynn)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The leather continued to appear, as a creamy nut flavor came into play as well. There was less clove, more leather and oak throughout this third. The retrohale gave off a nice white pepper experience.” –Cindy (Ms_CindyLynn)

“Things are picking up a little in the second third, a little more spice and flavor. The burn is great and the ash is holding on nicely. I’m still getting the earth and leather from before, but more of it, and mixed in now is some nuttiness. The second third is definitely an improvement and I’m enjoying it a lot more.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Final Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The draw tightened up on the final third leading to more flavorful puffs but the wrapper broke loose a little. Only time will tell if it becomes an issue or not. More spice has made its way into the picture and the background remains on the grassy side. There’s a smokiness on the retrohale now. The burn line made it past the loosened wrapper with no problems.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“The leather and creamy nutty flavors were intermingling into the last third. There were slight notes of maple syrup sweetness and a tad citrus at times. The retrohale still consisted of white pepper, but was milder than the second third. Although these tastes may sound weird while reading, it was quite enjoyable.” –Cindy (Ms_CindyLynn)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 92

“The draw was very good with ample smoke production. No complaints.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Burn: 89

“Some burn issues during the first two 3rds, but evened out during the last third.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 90

“As a fan of smaller ring gauges and full bodied richer flavors, I was pleasantly surprised by the consistency of flavor this cigar offered. The blender stayed true to their offering and didn’t make me chase all over the spectrum. Although mild and grassy throughout, I found this stick an enjoyable smoke. My wife even commented on how good it smelled. Wife approved!” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“Overall this was a great cigar. The flavors were interesting and very enjoyable. I would definitely smoke again if I had the chance to. For me, this would be smoked in the morning or early afternoon.” –Cindy (Ms_CindyLynn)

“Overall, I ended up enjoying this cigar. I would have liked to see some more complexity and flavor changes, but it was an enjoyable experience. It would be excellent for a beginning cigar smoker because you can easily pick out the flavors and experience as they grow more intense and well defined as you progress through the cigar.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

“Hopefully I got the dud out of the box and that they aren’t all smoking this way. It happens. This cigar had a bit of flavor, albeit very small at the beginning, but failed to produce anything after that. With the appearance alone, I was excited about lighting it up but was disappointed when I did. Had it not been for the review, I would’ve chucked it a long time ago. Would I try another? Absolutely. Would I go “searching” for another? Absolutely not.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)

“Other than the burn issue, this was a very good cigar, lots of thick creamy smoke for the first two 3rds. Will definitely smoke this again.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)