Vitola: Gran Robusto- 6” x 54 ring gauge
- MSRP $8.60
- Sample provided by Gran Habano
Background
I last looked at the Gran Habano Gran Reserva series about two-and-a-half years ago with the Gran Reserva 2011. I enjoyed the experience, but I was felt it wasn’t the best the blend had to offer in the 6 x 60 size I was given to review. Fast forward a couple years and Gran Habano has now sent me a sample of the fifth installment in the series, Gran Reserva 2012, and they have provided it in a small 54 ring gauge vitola. Thank you to Gran Habano for this.
The Gran Reserva #5 2012 uses Nicaraguan and Costa Rican fillers, along with Nicaraguan binder and wrapper leaves. It was released in November of 2018 after an extended aging period after rolling. The Gran Reserva series is reportedly made using the best 10% of the leaf from the annual crop, which is then aged 7 to 8 years prior to rolling. The rolled cigars are aged another 4 to 6 years…and this release was aged even longer.
It comes in 5 sizes, each packed in 20-count boxes. There will be a total of 200,000 sticks released in this vintage. The cigar I’m smoking for review was provided by Gran Habano and the information for background came from halfwheel’s news story.
Prelight
The Gran Reserva 2012’s packaging is pretty much the same as the previous releases that I have seen…that is to say pretty basic and plain. Red, white and gold band with basic type and trim, along with a little gold foil. There is a cedar sheath that hides the bottom half of the cigar. Printed on it is “Gran Reserva 2012” and the ribbon at the bottom of the sheath is red with “2012” printed in gold on it. It’s not a bad look, but it’s also not inspiring or exciting.
When the sheath was removed, the wrapper leaf had a color somewhere between mild and dark chocolate, with a pleasing smooth oiliness to the eye and the touch. The aroma from the wrapper was strong with cedar, with a touch of earth riding underneath. The foot of the stick had a mild earthiness, along with hints of chocolate, hay and bell pepper.
After clipping, the test draw was very good. The cold flavors were of hay and tea with a bit of earthiness.
Flavor
Getting the Gran Reserva 2012 fired up was an exercise in patience as it just didn’t seem to want to toast or light. I did finally get it ignited, though, and initial puffs were very cedary with an aftertaste of cinnamon. There was a little chocolate sweetness in the mix and some earth, as well, riding on a smoke that I judged to be medium-plus in body at the outset. The retrohale had some nuttiness, more cinnamon, and a touch of red pepper. As I went through the first third, I got more wood, some hay, some earth and some sweetness. The pepper diminished quickly, but there was some cinnamon spice remaining through the third.
In the second third, I continued to get plenty of wood notes, both cedar and cinnamon, along its flavors of tea and a mild sweetness. I also get tea on the retrohale, as well as a touch of pepper.
The final third of the Gran Reserva 2012 saw the cinnamon and pepper spice toned down considerably, while the cedar that had been the primary flavor component so far held steady.
Construction
I had a great draw, very even burn line and solid ash.
Value
This was a good cigar and the price is very fair.
Conclusions
Overall, I enjoyed the Gran Reserva 2012 more than the 2011 version, finding it a little smoother and more refined. The flavors of cedar and cinnamon especially popped, most likely due to the smaller ring gauge of this cigar compared to the 2011 version. While it’s not particular to my flavor profile preference, it was a really good cigar that should go over well with those that like something very woody.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
