Wrapper: Mexican San Andres (Otapan Negro Ultimo Corte)
Binder: Connecticut Habano
Filler: Brazilian Mata Fina, Nicaraguan Cuban seed
Size: 5.5 x 46 “Corona Viva”
Body: Medium-Full
Price: $6.50-7.50

I have to make note that the leaf stat for the wrapper sounds like a law firm that didn’t get you that $1.5 million they promised on their TV commercial. Oh wait, that was my law firm for my workman’s comp lawsuit. If you live in Chicago, never, never go to Rubens Law. These assholes screwed me over big time. 5 years. And pennies. Yes, I am bitter.

I am hoping that the third time is the charm. I have reviewed this cigar in two different sizes before this one. The Double Corona and the Robusto. Neither wowed me.

Friends and strangers kept telling me I have to try the Corona Viva and my opinion of the cigar will change.
A good friend gifted me exactly that; one UC Corona Viva and now it’s time to review it. I will forgo any bio or background information as I’ve already done that twice. Now this is a test to see how wrong I can be.

As always, construction is very good with one of the oiliest, and darkest, wrappers I’ve seen. Seams are invisible and there are lots of spider veins. It has an excellent triple cap (Which later goes to shit). And feels sandy and bumpy; so lots of tooth. The cigar band is nice and simple.

I clip the cap and search for aromas….there is nice natural tobacco sweetness, some spice, hay, cocoa and nuts…with lots of lemon zest.
Time to light up.

The first puffs are nutty. Very toasty. Lots of sweetness. Black pepper shows up immediately and quickly turns into red pepper. Ha-Cha-Cha. This is something that didn’t happen on the 7 x 54. In fact, that cigar showed very little spice.
The stick has that Garcia pepper blast. Better than the robusto had. Some cocoa shows up and looks like it is here to stay so I grab my Diet Coke. The draw is terrific and the char line is spot on. But it’s early.

Only at the halfway point, and this is a different cigar than the two I reviewed. I’ve been saying this for a long time: The smaller the cigar, the more intense the flavor. And this theory is proving to be correct on the UC.

I wouldn’t have even tried the big log I smoked and reviewed had it not been a gift. And that it had almost a year of humidor aging on it.

The stick is a lollipop. Full of sweet and savory flavors. It is an official flavor bomb at the one inch mark.
I also think this is the first UC that is at the right price point. This cigar is worth $7.

The cap is totally turning to crap. What a mess. The char line has become wavy right after that one inch mark.

But the flavors are wonderful. The first third ends with a boatload of flavor. I love the creaminess and cocoa. There is some coffee and leather. Lots of citrus. And cedar. The sweetness is like cotton candy.

The flavor profile is so intense that it puts a big smile on my puss. This is an excellent cigar. Now why can’t Drew translate this flavor profile to the bigger cigars? But then this isn’t really a bona fide Liga Privada. It is made up of alternate, cheaper tobacco than the real Liga Privada line. This is a substitute, more price friendly version for those who cannot spend $15 on a stick.

And even this blend can go as high as over $9 online. God knows what it cost in a B & M.
I like this stick that I shall go hunting for it on Cbid.

So my friends and acquaintances were right. The Corona Viva is the ticket.

At the halfway point, the stick becomes very complex. Very well-balanced and with a very long finish. Just delicious. Nothing like the robusto or double corona.

The spiciness has remained near the top of the heap but softened. That zestiness keeps the cigar interesting. And is a nice counterpoint to the sweetness and creaminess.

More flavors join up. There is a toast and jam aspect. It’s like rye toast with a bit of apricot jam on it. Obviously, this is just my palate speaking. You will have your own toast and jam experience.

The last third begins beautifully. It is so incredibly tasty, that I don’t want it to stop. And then I get a new flavor of charred oak. BBQ oak. It is the kind of flavor that requires you to smack your lips for a minute after taking a puff to appreciate.

More flavor enters. So many flavors and so hard to tell them apart as they become very subtle. A sweet, sticky caramel element. That pushes the toast and jam to the background. Basically, the natural sweetness of the cigar is so strong, it keeps taking different forms. I don’t guarantee that your palate will pick up exactly the same flavors as I do, but it should be close if you have a good palate.

The strength of the cigar has been classic medium from the start and remains there even during the last third.
The cocoa and coffee move closer to the front of the line. The Diet Coke enhances those flavors.

With a couple inches to go, the cigar hits the full bodied point. I can feel the nicotine.

This cigar has been a very enjoyable experience and I can whole heartedly recommend this cigar, but in this size only. It was an incredible exercise in a multitude of flavors. The other sizes are just plain blah.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS