Cigar Info
Nova Cigars brought a limited edition exclusively offered to attendees of the PCA (Premium Cigar Association) trade show in 2021. The cigar is a sequel of sorts to the Platinum Nova Personal Reserve Leo X released in July 2019 which celebrated company owner Leonor Abzaradel's 10th year in the cigar business. The Platinum Nova Leo 11 Edition Limitada Nicaragua comes in one size, a 6 x 54 toro featuring a pigtail cap. The blend uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan Habano binder, and filler from the Jalapa region of Nicaragua.
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.
Leo 11 Edition Limitada Nicaragua comes in boxes of 11 and started shipping last July. The company where the cigar is rolled has not yet been revealed other than that it is in Nicaragua. This marks the first cigar for the company made in that country. The cigar has a price tag of $20.91 per stick.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan Jalapa
Factory: Undisclosed
Blender: Leonor Abzaradel
Number of reviewers: 5 – Alan (Eulogy) John A. (Bostoneo) Ryan H. (Ryan H.) Mickey T. (irratebass) Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Price: $20.91
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: July 2021
Contributed by: Nova Cigars
Initial Impressions – Platinum Nova Leo 11 Edition Limitada Nicaragua
Appearance: 91
“Beautiful oily dark brown wrapper with no blemishes. Incredibly smooth and the cap is adorned with a pigtail as well.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Aroma: 91
“The aroma on this cigar is fantabulous. you have your everyday run-of-the-mill smells of earth, wood, and leather. but a good bunch of sweet smells too Rasins molasses aged tobacco and warehouse.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
First Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Upon lighting this fine cigar, I am greeted with delicious notes of creamy oak with a slightly peppery finish. As the cigar smokes further in, the peppery note grows in strength as the cigar levels out at a medium-bodied status. Towards the end, the pepper subsides while a slightly sweet, malted grain flavor takes on a new dynamic.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“Things kick off with strong notes of chocolate much as I got from the aroma. But no sooner do I think it's gonna be a sweet ride, I'm blasted with pepper that reminds me of chilies. I'm really digging the way the first third has gone, as it really is reminiscent of Mexican hot chocolate.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Second Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“leather and cream and a little of the pepper are left, a very nice balanced profile now with notes complementing each other. medium-plus in strength. bakers chocolate there as well being the odd man out would probably be better without the chocolate in my opinion. I know I don't personally like that note in this circumstance, but I know plenty of people that would love it.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Very similar to the first third with all the same problems. The core flavors of leather, pepper, mineral, and cedar are bold but sort of highlighted by a slightly charred note. The draw and burn are both still awful. The body and head of the cigar have about the same give as a slightly stale marshmallow. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Final Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Starting out the last third, intense oak and vanilla notes dominate here, finishing off with a white peppery flavor that lingers on the palette. Multiple touch-ups to the wrapper are required here as the construction is a bit loose, which is too bad because this is one flavorful cigar. I end this cigar with big, bodied notes of malt, dark honey, and a black peppery finish… divine.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“burn isn't as pretty as it once was cream and charred wood finish up the cigar. still a little pepper on the finish. the very enjoyable cigar I wouldn't mind smoking again.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 81
“It feels slightly loose on the draw but unless I'm puffing hard and fast I just can't make any real smoke production. Once it does get going though it has a very nice texture and volume. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Burn: 84
“A bit of babysitting was required to keep the exterior of the cigar going.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Construction: 84
“Looked great with the pigtail cap, tight seams, and handsome wrapper but that is the end of the positive attributes. If you like the feeling of biting on cotton balls and the body having the feel of a stale marshmallow this is for you. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 89
“One of the most frustrating experiences I can recall this year. The flavors were actually pretty good considering how aggressively I had to smoke to keep it lit. It lacked any real transition from beginning to end but it had a nice richness to it. The number of flaws is just too numerous to overlook though. I don't enjoy biting on something that reminds me of cotton balls and having to smoke like a freight train just to keep it lit destroys the calm relaxing experience I look for while smoking. It is sad since it seems like it was blended well but made terribly.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Overall, this blend has the potential of being a big hit. Whilst it created large plumes of smoke, the construction was big on the loose side, creating burn issues where the cigar's exterior had a hard time staying lit. Wonderful medium-bodied notes of oak, vanilla, various peppercorns, and malty sweetness provided an intriguing profile that kept me coming back for more. While the construction issue may be a one-off, I would recommend trying this stick out.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“I enjoyed the cigar plenty to buy and have them in my humidor.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“This is a shame because I was really enjoying this cigar. What I did get out of it was enjoyable with sweet tobacco notes, chocolate, wood, and cinnamon. Would like to give this another go. I am hoping it was a fluke.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“While not the most complex cigar, I can't complain about the experience. Mexican hot chocolate makes for a great experience and one I wouldn't mind having again.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 93
| Reviewer | Appear. | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall Experience |
| Alan | 95 | 95 | 90 | 92 | 92 | 78 | 78 | 80 | 88 |
| John A. | 92 | 90 | 92 | 90 | 90 | 78 | 78 | 78 | 88 |
| Ryan H. | 90 | 92 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 85 | 90 | 90 | 88 |
| Mickey T. | 90 | 90 | 85 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 |
| Doug S. | 92 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 85 | 90 | 90 | 92 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.