Wrapper: Ecuadorian Hybrid HCHS (Habano 2000, Corojo, Habano Vuelta Arriba, Sumatran)
Binder: Honduran Criollo ’98 (Ligero)
Filler: Nicaraguan (Ligero), Dominican (Ligero)
Size: 5 x 50 Robusto “Julio”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $5.80 by the box
Four people in the Quesada circle of family and friends passed not long ago and Manuel Quesada wanted to devote a cigar to these people. Hence; the Tributo.
This is a one of a kind cigar using a wrapper made up of a hybrid blend that is a cross between four different leaves. Since reading about this, I have been anxious to try it. The blend made its debut at the 2013 IPCPR trade show.
I received samples from my good buddy, Jason Harding at BestCigarPrices.com. And I waited..and I waited. Now is the time for the cigars to be reviewed.
The cigar comes in four sizes:
6.5 x 60 “Manolin”
6 x 52 “Alvaro”
5 x 50 “Julio”
4.5 x 40 “Alvarito”
And all are very reasonably priced. The most expensive being around the $7 mark. This is not a limited run production. So there should be plenty for everyone.
Cigar Aficionado gave the Quesada Tributo a rating of 90 commenting:
“The smoke of this dark, oily robusto has a rich mouth feel, offering red wine notes, nutty flavors and a touch of tanginess on the finish.”
The construction of the cigar is as solid as premium cigar should be. With the perfect amount of give. The mottled coffee bean colored wrapper is devoid of any large veins and one has to look closely to find the small spider veins.
The cap is so well constructed that I must guess it is a double or triple cap. The transition between the cap and the body of the cigar is flawless. There is a gorgeous, shiny oiliness and the cigar feels a bit toothy.
It is a reserved double band. Conservative and classy.
I clip the cap and find aromas of gingerbread, spicy pepper, baking cocoa, cinnamon, pound cake, vanilla, bread, dried cherries, wood and leather. Quite an interesting blend.
Time to light up.
The first puffs are heavy on the bread element. The draw is a bit tight. But then the stick is engorged with tobacco. As I smoke the cigar, the draw improves with each puff.
Very shortly after this, I get a black and red pepper experience. The body is on the mild face of medium at this early stage. It’s important to not let the spiciness sway you in determining the strength of a cigar. A very mild cigar can be very spicy. So one has to look past the pepper.
A natural sweetness occurs at the half inch mark. And those baking spice aromas begin to translate to flavors. Cocoa and vanilla show themselves. And a nice buttery flavor. Additional flavors of this profile are very subtle at this point.
An inch in, flavors begin to expose themselves with a flourish…there is a thick and sweet caramel element…a bushel full of nuts comprised of almonds, hazelnuts, sweet raw cashews, and Brazil nuts. I know this sounds a little crazy but I can close my eyes and feel like I am picking nuts out of a can of mixed nuts.
The char line goes awry and I am forced to correct it. I smoked one stick a few days ago to see if it was ready to review and I had the same burn issues.
The body is solid medium now as I near the end of the first third.
The cocoa becomes more apparent in the mix. The black pepper becomes very potent. The ash is hanging tough.
The second third begins and with it, flavors begin to explode. The cigar is very earthy and rich. There is a complexity of dried cherry, cinnamon, toast, and coffee. The cigar is teasing me and making me wait for the sweet spot. As I hit the halfway point, it is met.
In descending order, the flavors are: cocoa, sweetness, nuts, cinnamon, black pepper, dried cherry, toast, coffee, vanilla, and leather. In my book, that is a helluva’ flavor profile.
The burn issue has plagued this cigar from the beginning. I was forced to correct it three times and it looks like I must do it again. This really disrupts the flow of a good cigar.
I am about to enter the last third when a big dose of cream appears. With it, a buttery component.
CA describes the cigar having red wine notes. There is so much going on that I am having trouble finding that flavor. But then, we all have different palates and you may taste something totally different than I taste.
Many of my friends complain that they can’t taste the nuances and subtleties that I can taste. As I have been retired for the last 5 years, I have become a cigar chain smoker. Yet, I treat each cigar with a special reverence.
When I first started reviewing, I took copious notes. And then I would write my review from my notes. This did not turn out well as spontaneity works best. Notes take the life out of the cigar experience. But by doing so, I forced myself to identify flavors and character. Later, I would compare my notes to the better reviewers of the same cigar to see if I was on track. It was pretty much 50/50.
After that, I would use the good reviews as a template. I would try to identify the flavors that they described. And not long after that, I was on my own. My palate had matured to the point that crib sheets were no longer needed and I don’t bother reading other reviews.
There is no short cut to developing your own palate. But if I had to make one suggestions it would be to take notes of what you taste. Do it with every cigar. Then compare it to the reviewers you enjoy the most. Trust me on this. You will develop a sophisticated palate.
The last third is muy flavorful. The cigar is very complex. Flavors have morphed into each other making them hard to define separately. Because this cigar depends heavily on character, nuance and subtlety….I would stay away from the big sizes. The aging process takes forever in your humidor. And subtle flavors do not translate well in a behemoth cigar. I would love to try the 4.5 x 40 Alvarito. I betcha’ it’s a real fire cracker.
Stay small, my friends, stay small.
The body moves up to medium/full with a couple inches to go. And the sweetness of the cigar takes over. It hasn’t lost an iota of the other flavors but they are in the background and join the earthiness and richness to make a complete cigar experience.
I highly recommend this cigar for its deep complexity. The price point is perfect so that everyone can enjoy it. Kudos to Manuel for making it affordable.
The last bit of the cigar never gets harsh or bitter or hot. The spiciness changes to red pepper and becomes quite strong. The intensity of the flavor profile puts the pedal to the metal. It is bursting with all those delicious flavors mentioned earlier.
I would like to promote Jason Harding’s own review that he does for BCP. He is a good writer and I enjoy reading him. You can read his review of this cigar here.
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
Hello Katman, i smoke one of these today and it was deee licious! Perhaps my fave Quesada. Queseda has become one of my go to sticks as long as you age them well they kick arse. Mant thanks for your great reviews and your insight into cigars has helped me be more patient with aging, enabling me to garner the full potential of me smokes. Rock U!!
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