Viaje Circa '45 Reserva No. 2 - Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

The original Viaje Circa '45 line was launched at the InterTabac trade show in 2016 It was a European exclusive for a year before coming to the U.S. in 2017. In December of 2017, Viaje also released a Maduro version. Fast forward to January of this year (2021) and Viaje announced a new reserva version, called the Viaje Circa '45 Reserva.

The blend for Viaje Circa '45 Reserva uses a Mexican San Andrés wrapper in place of the original Nicaraguan leaf used and is limited to 300 boxes in each vitola. All comes in boxes of 25 with the exception of the Edición Limitada which comes in bundles. There are four vitolas: No. 1 (5 x 52) – $12, No. 2 (6 x 54) – $12.80, No. 3 (5 1/2 x 58) – $13.60, and Edición Limitada (7 x 50) – $13.20.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA)
Blender: Andre Farkas
NNumber of reviewers: 4 – Isaac M. (The Nothing) Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Adam B. (Bushboi)
Price: $12.80
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: February 2021
Contributed by: Blind Man's Puff

Initial Impressions – Viaje Circa '45 Reserva No. 2

Appearance: 94

“The cigar is very firm and toro shaped. The wrapper is very dark brown and has even darker veins throughout. Definitely a little contour when looking down this shaft due to the thicker veins in the leave. Cap is nicely applied and looks to be three layers.” –Adam B. (Bushboi)

Aroma: 92

“I picked up a variety of aromas from this cigar including chocolate, leather, bread dough, and a generic floral note.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Upon lighting this cigar I am met with a deep, dense chocolate mousse. This is quickly replaced by a woody note that become the main note for the rest of the third. While I smoke through the third there are some sweet note that try to sneak in, but never really can make any headway till the last few puffs of the third. The finish, strength, and body are all in the medium range. ” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“This cigar started off with a strong blast of pepper on the tip of the tongue. Draw is constricted and I'm having to roll in my fingers to loosen up a little bit in order to get a good puff. There is tons of smoke coming off the foot, but find myself having to chew the end a little to get a good draw. While rolling in my fingers I can tell the stiffness and constricted flow of air is in the final third. Flavors of licorice and leather prevail.” –Adam B. (Bushboi)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The transition into the second third was made known with flavors of hickory BBQ. There was again a bit of a floral quality that came and went to quickly I couldn't pick up the exact taste. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

“The second portion of this cigar has the strength ramping up significantly and the flavors becoming much more earthy with a blast of strong black coffee… what a wonderful transition!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Final Third

Flavor: 95
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“This cigar has my mouth watering now. There is a final shift in the flavor profile. This time it is a deep, rich espresso. It stays that way to till I set it down. The woody note comes back in the last inch and it has a fine dusting of black pepper. The body and strength ramp up in this last third, thanks to the black pepper. This is a fine close to a great cigar.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“Into the second third there were some initial harsh flavors but they quickly fled and the earthy coffee returned. The strength is in full effect as I'm starting to get a bit of nicotine buzz! Through the nose, the smoke use still enjoyable and enhances the full-flavored and full-bodied experience. ” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Overall Impressions – Viaje Circa '45 Reserva No. 2

Draw: 96

“Draw came across quite nicely with a v-cut.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

Burn: 96

“The burn was never razor tight, but it never required much attention after lighting. The burn withstood long pauses, dropping ashes quickly.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

Construction: 93

“The cigar's construction is great overall. The only complaint I had was that the ash was rather flaky. For as firm as the cigar was rolled I am a little surprised that the ash would only hang on for about half an inch at a time. But in all honesty, that is being a little nitpicking. ” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 91

“This turned into a “don't judge the book by the cover” situation. It's not a good looking cigar, but the flavor is there. I rather enjoyed this, certainly much more than I was expecting based on appearance alone.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

“This cigar is as advertised. It has rich flavors from start to finish with pronounced transition in all three thirds. A cruise control burn made it easy to enjoy, even on a windy day. It is an easy cigar to reach for any time of the day. I will search it out once I find out what it is. You should do the same. Enjoy” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)”

“This was a nice full flavored and full bodied cigar. The nicotine punch would cause me to hesitate before offering it to an inexperienced smoker, but I would gladly pick up another!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“Overall I really enjoyed the flavors and the aroma. Lots of problems with the construction led to a constricted smoke output. I would love to try another one of these and hope I get a better roll.” –Adam B. (Bushboi)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 98

Reviewer	Appear.	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Isaac M.	83	90	90	92	92	92	95	88	92
Estevan Z.	90	90	90	92	90	95	93	92	92
Jason H.	92	95	92	92	90	90	95	92	92
Adam B.	95	95	88	88	95	83	85	80	88

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