Vitola: Box-pressed Corona Gorda- 6” x 46 ring gauge
- ~$12.49
- Purchased at Burns Tobacconist
Background
Early last year, I took a look at a cigar that really surprised me. To put it bluntly, “Honduran puro” are two words taken together that don’t excite me much. So much Honduran tobacco is bland…or at least used to bland effect in many, many blends…that I just tend to overlook it…purposely! But every now and again, someone puts together a Honduran blend that makes me reconsider…it happened with Leaf by Oscar…it happened with the initial release of Eiroa First 20 Years. And it happened again with this latest addition to that second line.
The full name of this cigar is the Eiroa The First 20 Years Colorado. I figured the cigar would at some point be called “Eiroa 20” or “Eiroa 20 Years” or even “20 Series” (as is indicated on the band), but it looks like the cigar is being called the “Eiroa First 20.” Like the original release, this Colorado version is all Honduran tobacco, though Christian Eiroa is quoted as saying “I absolutely love the Authentic Corojo Seed and finally, after decades of trying, I finally have the exact Colorado Color I have been looking for my entire career.” I couldn’t find any specific reference, but I guess the original release should now be referred to as “Oscuro” or “Maduro,” depending on the exact nature of the leaf.
My shop’s CLE rep, Austin Baker, brought these in saying, “This could be the best thing Christian has ever blended.” My thoughts were “Yeah…you would say that…you’re a salesman!” Then I tried the cigar…and though it pains me to say it, Austin could be right. I’ve had a couple of them before burning this review stick, which I bought at Burns Tobacconist. (I got some of my information from Cigar-Coop’s news story about the release of this cigar.)
Prelight
The first obvious difference between the Oscuro (that’s what I’ll call it) and Colorado releases is the size of the tissue paper covering part of the cigar. On the original release it stretches from the bottom of the band to the foot of the cigar. On this release it takes up about an inch and a half at the foot…better to show off the wrapper leaf. Speaking of the band, it is the same design, though with a different color configuration.
The wrapper is, as promised, a slightly reddish color, but only under certain lighting. It is a medium brown, almost a toasted caramel color, with a dry, but smooth feel under my fingertips and an aroma of natural tobacco and sweet hay.
The cold draw was great and tasted of a mix of charred wood, natural tobacco and cinnamon.
Flavor
Lighting up the First 20 Colorado I was as surprised this time at the amount of flavor as I was the first time. I got notes of oak and cedar, bell pepper and earth, along with slighter notes of cool cinnamon and pepper. The smoke was rich and medium-bodied, but produced a dryness in my mouth. As I continued through the first third, I got a rich and spicy (in both senses of the word) mix of flavors from the blend.
As I burned through the second third, I noted that the vegetal flavors faded away and wood notes rose up to even more prominence. I got a solid cedar note and plenty of cinnamon, riding above a persistent pepper spice.
I got more of the same in the last third, with an increase in cayenne pepper that made the whole experience a bit of a firebomb…which I considered a good thing.
Construction
I saw an almost perfectly straight burn line and ash that was solid up to an inch, while experiencing a fantastic draw.
Value
Great cigar…slightly pricey…but worth it.
Conclusions
When I saw the First 20 Colorado, I had my doubts…could it really be as good as the first iteration of this line? Turns out, the answer is a definitive “Yes!” I don’t know that I would call one better than the other…just two excellent examples of Honduran puro blending that stand well on their own. I look forward to having both of these sticks in my regular rotation for the near future…and maybe much longer.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10
