Guayacan Cigars Habano | Cigar Review

By Cigar Reviews by the Katman on April 21, 2014 • ( 2 )

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Aganorsa ’98 Criollo
Filler: Nicaraguan Aganorsa ’98 Criollo
Size: 5 x 52 “Robusto”
Body: Medium
Price: $6.40

A Cuban expatriate by the name of Neil Rojas hadn’t been in the States that long when he used his expansive knowledge of cigar blending to start his own line. Guayacan.

Little by little, he is growing the business and it hasn’t’ been that long since he joined the ever growing group of cigars distributed by the House of Emilio. Guayacan was the third company to be distributed under that umbrella. Now Emilio has approximately nine boutique brands plus his own blends. All of those boutique brands are available at Cigar Federation.

The name of the cigar comes from the time where Rojas was an artist and would sculpt objects for tourists from Guayacan wood. Rojas came to the States around 2007. And his first success came in 2012.

Rojas uses the tried and true Entubado style of rolling his binder and filler. Leaves are rolled into small tubes and then bunched together.

Boxes come in 25 count. And there are four sizes: 5 x 50, 6 x 52, 6.125 x 52 (Torpedo), and a box pressed Churchill 7 x 50. The price range is $6.40-$8.00. The Churchill is the most popular size.

I bought a 5 pack almost a month ago. I’ve smoked several and seen them mature in a short span of time.

The stick is jam packed. But when squeezed, allows for a perfect amount of give. I love the milk chocolate wrapper. It shines with oil in the sun and is toothy in some locations and smooth as silk in others. The triple cap is expertly conceived. Seams are tight and there are not a lot of veins.

The double cigar bands are interesting and colorful. The artwork doesn’t stop at the front as it winds itself around the cigar. Rojas, being an artist, probably designed the whole thing himself. Lots of detail.

The cap is clipped and I smell wonderful honey sweetness, cocoa, spice, wood, and a touch of fruit and leather.

Immediately upon lighting up, my mouth is awash with black and red pepper. The draw is terrific as smoke fills the room. The spice is extremely potent.

And then the cigar becomes very camp fire-ish. There is a smoky element that is not quite hickory, but more like cedar and oak. Leather becomes an integral part of the flavor profile. As well as some notes of coffee.

Creaminess enters the scene at only the half inch mark. Along with that dried fruit aroma becoming black cherry. The cherry is a dominant flavor at the moment.

There are additional herbal notes like cumin, turmeric, and coriander.

Cocoa slowly creeps into the group…morphing with the coffee. The creaminess makes both those elements even more enjoyable.

Shortbread cookies. Those buttery, and delicately flavored, vanilla cookies are in the background; brought out by the creaminess. The cherry flavor becomes more intense.

While the spiciness is still strong, it has backed off some allowing the more delicate flavors to be noticed. The woodiness and camp fire flavors, which are very subtle, find themselves as individuals now.
The body is classic medium.

I begin the second third. I’m having some minor burn issues but nothing to create any angst over.

The ash is very flaky and disintegrates with the lightest touch.

This cigar is just chock full of interesting combinations of flavors. They seem to come in pairs. Cocoa and coffee. Spice and herbal spices. Creaminess and shortbread cookies. Black cherry and vanilla. Wood and leather.

The herbal spices are stronger now and cinnamon is added for that perfect trifecta of Indian spices of cumin, coriander, and turmeric. I now have a craving for a good curry.

The spice was beginning to wane but now, as the halfway point is reached, surges once more. My tongue tingles.

I smoked four of these sticks before deciding to review it. Each one of those four made me nuts because there was too much glue on the cigar bands. I had to literally tear them off. Which was of great concern as I like to use the bands in the last photos.

Well, hallelujah and grab the pitchfork, Martha; not a single issue with the glue on this last cigar. The Guayacan folks decided to use a thicker paper stock for their cigar bands than is the norm. I am a happy old man.
Nice for a change not to have to put blade to wrapper.

I am nearing the last third. It is a wonderful cigar. So flavorful. And the strength matches the flavor profile perfectly.
The last third begins with the cigar becoming an official flavor bomb. It also finds its complexity and balance. It has a nice long chewy finish.

Here are the flavors, in order: Creaminess, coffee, sweetness, spice, vanilla, black cherry, coffee, herbal spice, wood, and leather.

Clearly, the cigar needed a few weeks humidor time. But thankfully, no longer than that. I recommend if you purchase these cigars at your local B & M, or on the Cigar Federation Store, that you give them a good 3 weeks rest.

I now get my first dose of nicotine. Not strong but enough to screw with my typing skills.

Back in my sophomore year of high school, my mother made me take a typing class to prep me for college. I was in a class of 30 and I was the only male. So embarrassing. I told no one that I was taking this class. But it stead me well for the future. I can type like the wind.

The cigar is very smooth and complex. It is like warm milk and a plate of cookies.

I have to hand it to Neil Rojas. His first major outing as a cigar blender has produced a real winner. I’m in love with this cigar. I must have more.

The nicotine continues its assent. I am light headed. And 1-1/2” still to go. Oy vay.

I sip on my Diet Coke and it reinforces that wonderful chocolate soda taste.

Here is the real kicker….the cigar is only in the $6 range. That is absolutely incredible. I can think of only a few cigars that are this good at that price point. This is must have for your humidor.

And don’t be in a hurry to smoke it. Otherwise, you will miss out on 75% of the flavors.