Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Chef’s Special – Quick Cigar Review

Zane

Gorgeous brown-wrapped figurado. Flawless wrapper. The same band as the regular edition but has a gold foot band. Cigar has a nice weight to it and I am really digging the size/shape! Not a ton of aroma on the wrapper. Light sweet notes.

Emmett

This beautiful cigar is a large double figurado with a wrapper that feels soft to the touch and has a few prominent veins showing. The wrapper smells a bit musty with some earth tones in the background, while the pre-light draw adds a nice pecan note. It feels very well constructed with a nice give when squeezed and good dry draw resistance, especially for a figurado.

Zane

First third lights and it’s very medium at best. Getting notes of wood. More like a charred oak taste. Light pepper on the retro. Still mostly light wood notes with still little touch or pepper on the retro. Minor touch ups needed. Got a bit of tar. Recut a bit more. Draw really opens up.

Emmett

The first puffs have a bit of black pepper along with some fresh hay and leather. Further in, the hay turns into a nice charred oak flavor and the pecan flavor sticks around for a nice combo.

Zane

As the cigar begins to transition into the second third I am continuing to pick up the same wood notes and the cigar is still medium at best. Very smooth. Start to get a bit of sweetness almost a butterscotch.

Emmett

This third has evolved nicely, not a dramatic shift, but a balancing. The charred oak is more subtle and the leather has come to the front. The pecan flavor has been replaced with a nice creaminess that completes the combo. The burn and draw have been just about perfect throughout producing lots of smoke. Towards the end of the third, the creaminess really takes over and takes this cigar to a whole next level.

Zane

Final third continues the theme of the first two thirds but the strength ramps up to a medium-full and the body is still fairly medium. Burn has been fantastic since that one touch up. The sweet notes I got from the second third are taking lead in this as they get a touch stronger. No other transitions as the cigar finishes.

Emmett

This newfound creamy profile is fantastic as it compliments the lingering oak and leather flavors. There is just a hint of spice on the finish that makes every puff magical. The draw remains prefect as it closes out and the cigar burns cool to the end. This was a wonderful third.

Zane

As I finish this Chef’s special edition I am trying to place it in the overall line and which I like best. I think this falls in between the Maduro/Habano that was initially released. Great construction and the flavor notes I picked up were nice. I wish the cigar had a bit more richness to it but overall it was a great cigar. If I could get the maduro in this size I would be in heaven.

-Zane G.
Author

Emmett

The Knuckle Sandwich maduro might be my favorite cigar of the last year, and this one comes close to it. It is more refined, but without the power and spice that define the Knuckle Sandwich Maduro. I only have one of these cigars and I can’t wait to pick up more to age and enjoy. This collaboration between Espinosa and Guy Fieri knocks it out of the park at every opportunity, and everyone should try a Knuckle Sandwich whether it’s this one, or one of the other options.

-Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
Author