Highclere Castle is a collaboration between Nicolas Melillo, of Foundation Cigar Co., and George Herbert, 8th Earl of Carnarvon and owner of the Highclere Castle in Newbury, England. The Castle is famous for being featured in the hit show Downton Abbey.
• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Size: 42 x 127 mm (5’’)
• Wrapper: American Connecticut Shade
• Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Price: $12
The wrapper on the Petit Corona is of a golden brown color, with no evident veins. Smooth to the touch. Construction seems perfect and the mostly golden on white band underlines the class of this line.
Highclere Castle Petit Corona: the cold draw brings notes of hay and wood. Once lit, the cigar opens up with a creamy smoke and initial flavors of cedar wood. Cedar is the protagonist of the first third and is supported by leather, with a light white pepper note in the background. Strength is mild to medium (2/5).
Cedar, leather and white pepper progress into the second third and are later on followed by coffee. The smoke is still creamy, paired with a certain sweetness and halfway through the third appears a hint of hazelnut. Strength increases slightly (3/5).
The white pepper note is the main flavor in the final third. The spices are paired with sweet hazelnut notes, cedar and leather, with hints of roasted coffee in the back. Strength stays unchanged.
Overall, the Highclere Castle Petit Corona is not the classical Connecticut Shade cigar you would expect, that may be due to the Mata Fina binder, and it isn’t a bad thing. The cigar is balanced and creamy, with a complex aromatic palette. Burn line and combustion were exemplary.
Rating: 91