Originally published at Tiki Bar Online
Toro, 6” x 52 ring gauge / approx. $7.50
The Espinosa website lists this Habano as the “first cigar” made in the new La Zona factory. Keith took a look at it not long after it first became available; you can read his full review HERE. After taking a look at a couple of their other releases, I thought I would end this “Espinosa Week” with a short look at the same stick. In an interesting twist, Erik decided not to reveal the blend for this cigar, comparing it to the “Colonel’s 11 Herbs & Spices”…this contains Nicaraguan leaf, but all the rest of the details are a secret. Presumably the wrapper is a Habano varietal (the name tells us that much, at least). As with the other Espinosa cigars I’ve written about this week, this was part of a sampler the company sent to me.
The wrapper was ripe on this stick…just really, really strongly earthy and manurey. The aroma reminded me more than a bit of something from LFD…one or two of their sticks have used Nicaraguan Habano, so it could be more than coincidence. In any case, it’s a good association. Lighting up I got a strong hay and earth flavor, mixed with cedar and a touch of white pepper. As I smoked through the first third, I experienced tons of earth and an increase in the pepper spice; there were also some sweet dried fruit notes that balanced out the overall profile nicely.
Overall, I found the Espinosa Habano an interesting smoking experience, but I think I would prefer a smaller ring gauge…as is almost always the case, it seems. Taken as part of a whole, though, I have to reiterate that La Zona has had a great first year of production, with 3 brand new blends that all differentiate themselves nicely, as well as continuation of some classic blends from Espinosa’s catalog.
