Esteban Carreras Habano | Cigar Review

By Cigar Reviews by the Katman on January 20, 2014

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5.5 x 54 “Toro”
Body: Full
Price: $5.75 ($4.00 at BestCigarPrices.com)

This stick has been around a while and there is little data on the cigar. The official web site gives even less info about the company. I do know that Craig Cunningham owns the company. Craig is a cigar retailer in California but I’m not sure of his present location.

I read that his cigars are manufactured in Nicaragua and distributed from Dana Point, California (Surf City). I can’t tell you the hours and days my pals and I hung out down there, south of Long Beach, north of San Diego.

His first releases were the 187 and 5150; both police terms. The web site is sorely devoid of any information on the company. It does have the stats on all 10 blends. Very impressive.

The Habano comes in both natural and Maduro blends. The amount of sizes varies from store to store.
Cigar Aficionado gave it a 90 rating.

On one online store site, this is considered a robusto grande and another, a toro, another a robusto. The Carreras web site shows both but does not give out dimensions. So, based on my research, I am deeming this the toro.

The Esteban Carreras line includes 187, 211, 5150, 1961, 211 Connecticut, Cubana Real Semilla, Dias Anos, Hawaiin Breeze, Chupa Cabra (Very Popular), and Habano.
All of Cunningham cigars are blended by Gonzola Puente.

The stick is solid. Lots of Frankenstein veins. It has a medium brown wrapper with a bit of a sandy touch to it. The single cap is sloppy. And it drips in oil.

I clip the cap and find aromas of cocoa, spice, cinnamon, and assorted Nicaraguan-typical aromas. The web site says the wrapper is 13 years old. I guess it can have its Bar Mitzvah now.
Time to light up.

Yum. The first puffs are full of sweetness, caramel, nuts, cocoa, and caramel. That’s a lot of flavor for a few puffs. The char line begins a bit wavy so I nip it in the bud.

A salty pretzel element appears giving the cigar a candy bar sensibility. Black pepper begins to show itself and builds slowly.

The sweetness is as sweet as a mint julep. There is some fruitiness. Will detect that component soon.

I’m having some serious burn line issues. It keeps happening in the same exact place at the foot. If I keep correcting it, I will burn the cigar away. I’ve smoked two and neither of them had this problem. Murphy’s Law. I’m going to let it be until it either corrects itself on its own or I can’t stand it and help it along.

The 1” mark has shown me sweetness, cocoa, pepper, a bit of nuts, salty pretzel. The strength is medium classic from the start.

The flavor profile is building towards what we expect from a Nic puro. Cocoa, sweetness, creaminess, coffee, nuts, dried fruit, earthiness, wood and leather.

As I near the end of the first third, the cocoa and sweetness are driving the bus with the spiciness right behind.
The second third begins with boost of the nuttiness which I believe is a combo of hazelnut and raw cashew; both sweet nuts. Like me.

The spiciness has backed off some…and lingers in the back of the throat. The salty pretzel is gone. What’s left is the cocoa, sweetness, and cedar. By this point, I would have expected a flavor bomb but methinks it awaits me in the last third.

It’s at this point that the char line falls into line and behaves itself admirably with no more need of my help. Just a fluke.

Flavors are beginning to really blossom at the halfway mark. A big dose of creaminess is present. The dried fruit is raisin and dates. There is also a fresh fruitiness made up of black grape and red wine. Something dark. It might even be black cherry. It is just showing itself so it is not definitive yet.

This is a lovely cigar. The draw has been perfect. The char line started out a bit dicey but got past the problem by the halfway point. Flavors are not the stereotypical Nic puro flavors. They have more character than that.

The fruitiness usurps the sweetness. The pepper goes from back in the throat black to up front red pepper. A coffee element appears and with the new found creaminess makes for a killer addition. The fresh fruit flavors turn to black cherry. Which brings a bit of a sweet/tart flavor.

The pepper becomes very strong as the cigar goes from medium to medium/full. Still snurgling around the halfway point.
The natural sweetness makes a big return. The cocoa stands out and becomes bolder than at first arrival. Oolong tea is a big surprise.

The price point is spot on. An excellent cigar that is easy on the wallet.
I look forward to smoking the other 9 blends.

The cigar can be best described as delectable. It has a lot of the Nic puro flavor profile but additions are present such as the tea, black cherry, and salty pretzel (which comes and goes.) A rich earthiness has been present since the last half began.
The last third begins and the cigar is slamming away on all cylinders. The spiciness has reverted to a combo of both black and red at the same time.

I’m partial to Habano wrappers. Something about them that really brings out flavors.

The strength settles in at medium/full with a couple inches to go; with very little nicotine. Wally Guse; this might be a good one for you.

The transitions of strength are smooth and barely noticeable. Smooth describes the cigar to a tee.

I have to admit that I’m late to the party on this brand but I shall make up for last time by making some purchases. The Chupa Cabra seems to get rave reviews from everyone.

The strength hits full bodied. And I feel the nicotine. It’s a dark and dreary day here in Milwaukee with overcast skies and snow flurries.

I recommend this cigar for smokers with a refined palate. It is also a good stick for newbies wanting to make the transition to stronger cigars as the strength sort of creeps up on you.
Great cigar.
I want to thank Jason Harding at BestCigarPrices.com for the samples. They have all 10 blends and their prices are excellent.