The Nicarao Especial Reserva 2014 was the first limited edition produced by the brand from Didier Houvenagel. Only 350 boxes were released, each containing 21 cigars. The leafs for this release have been aged for a minimum of 2 years, for each leaf. Afterwards, the rolled cigar spent one year in the aging room.
The Robusto is rolled in a bright Colorado shaded wrapper. Pleasantly smooth on the touch, with minimal veins. Filling and construction are excellent.
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Size: 52 x 127 mm (5″)
- Wrapper: Nicaragua
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Price: € 10
Nicarao Especial Reserva 2014: it is not difficult to perceive a powerful note of cocoa on the nose, but also a less evident peanut and a woody nuance are present.
The opening reveals a delicately sweet and sapid smoke, with a spicy sensation that fades past the first third. Flavors, on the other hand, are expressed with notes of nuts and wood, with a spicy nuance. Strength is medium (3/5).
Continuing into the smoke, the sweetness becomes the dominant , compared to a present but more composed sapidity. The components of wood and nuts remain unchanged, albeit now followed by a note of cocoa. Strength remains unchanged (3/5).
In the last third, the sapidity increases in intensity, balancing out the sweetness. Wood remains the main flavor, while the rest of the profile is composed of hazelnut and pepper notes. In the last puffs, a strong walnut note stands out as well. Strength increases slightly, becoming medium-full (4/5).
This Nicarao Especial Reserva 2014 line is unexceptionable as far as the structure of the smoke is concerned. The cigar is certainly balanced and even the flavor intensity is very respectable. Unfortunately, the evolution is a little too contained and the vibrant last third cannot make up for the previous two, dominated by wood and nuts.Â
Rating: 88