Smokeasy's top 4 memorable smokes for the month of Febuary
Pictured clockwise: Herrera Esteli, Oliva Serie V Melanio, Room 101 The Big Payback, Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Dark Corojo. All images are courtesy of the respective cigar manufacturers.
Herrera Esteli (La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate)
Launched in early 2013, this cigar was blended by and named after Willy Herrera, the Cuban master blender who joined Drew Estate in June 2011. Apparently, this blend took a tremendous amount of time to create - and after numerous bad blends, this final product received rave reviews from cigar enthusiasts, and was rated #8 in Cigar Aficionado magazine's Top 25 CIgars for 2014.
Country of origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua
Vitolas (6): Short Corona Gorda (5¼" x 46); Robusto Extra (5½" x 52); Lonsdale Deluxe (6" x 44); Toro Especial (6¼" x 54); Piramide Fino (6" x 52); Toro (Tubos; 6" x 52)
Full-bodied | Medium-Full strength
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Oliva Serie V Melanio (Oliva Cigars)
The Oliva Serie V Melanio is hand rolled from expertly fermented ligero filler tobacco fron the Jalapa region of Nicaragua, supposedly well known for a more nuanced leaf compared with tobacco from Esteli or Condega. Taking five years to make, the Melanio was added to the Serie V line in 2012 as a tribute to the first man in the Oliva family to grow tobacco. This blend was Cigar Aficionado magazine's 2014 Cigar of the Year.
Country of origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua (Jalapa)
Vitolas (6): Churchill (7" x 50); Double Toro (6" x 60); Torpedo (6½" x 52); Figurado (6½" x 52); Robusto (5" x 52); Petit Corona (4½" x 46)
Full-bodied | Medium strength
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Room 101 The Big Payback (Room 101 Cigars)
Matt Booth, founder of Room 101 Cigars, created this line of Nicaraguan puros in 2014 specifically as a "thank you" to the brand's loyal fans for the patronage and support over the years. The thanks is not just in the form of a great blend, but also a fantastically, reasonably priced cigar, ranging from $4.95 to $6.95.
Country of origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Vitolas (4): Chavala (5" x 50); Culero (7" x 70); Hueso (6" x 60); Jaquemate (8" x 80)
Medium-Full-bodied | Medium-Full strength
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Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Dark Corojo (Joya de Nicaragua)
Joya de Nicaragua is clear about one thing: this cigar was created for the experienced connoisseur who appreciates and craves unadulterated boldness - novices need not light. 'Nuff said...
Country of origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua (Corojo Oscuro)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Vitolas (5): Poderoso (6" x 54); La Niveladora (6" x 52); El Martillo (5½" x 54); Peligroso (5" x 44); La Pesadilla (4¾" x 60)
Extra Full-bodied | Full strength
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