I don't normally post reviews here, mainly because I don't consider myself a 'reviewer', but considering the limited edition nature of this cigar and the fact that I think you can still call Barrister Cigars and get some, I figured I would. You can see pictures, if you're into that sort of thing, here.
The Herrera Esteli Tienda Exclusiva for Barrister Cigars officially released on September 2nd. Matt was at the debut, and posted about it here. Barrister Cigars is the first store to receive a release in the Tienda Exclusiva project. Tienda Eclsuiva, which means store exclusive, is the ability for Drew Estate to create specific releases under the Herrera Esteli banner.
Drew Estate informs us that they plan to have a few Tienda Exclusiva releases a year – each for a different store, and each being a one-time only, limited release. For the Barrister Cigars Tienda Exclusiva, no information was provided on the specific blend info or the number of cigars produced.
Go time.
Herrera Esteli Tienda Exclusiva
Size: 4 7/8 x 46
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Not Disclosed
Filler: Not Disclosed
Cigars Smoked for this Review: Two per Reviewer
Price Point: $13
Cigar Purchased: Purchased from Barrister Cigars
Quick Note: For this review we used Logan’s rating system. You can view it in detail here.
Overall Cigar Federation Average Review: 90.5 AKA “Box Split”
Matt’s Review – Rating 94 AKA “Box Purchase”
I've smoked many, many of these in various prototype phases, but this is only my 2nd in any sort of review format so we'll see how it goes. These cigars, from what I understand, have been aging at DE for at least 7 months, but I just picked this up at the Barrister Cigars Tienda Exclusiva event on September 2nd. The branding pops out immediately as reminiscent of the original Herrera Esteli except instead of red writing on a white background with gold trim, you get white writing on a red background with gold trim and the Tienda Exclusiva Barrister Cigars secondary foot band. The wrapper is a milk-chocolate brown with some visible veins and minimal seams. As I clip the cap with my bulletproof guillotine and take some pre-light draws, I'm met with a really unique flavor - almost like turpentine or something, at least from a sweetness perspective. That's a weird comparison, but that's the best I got - it’s definitely not bad, just unique.
On light, a medium-full earthy pepper note is what I first get. As I smoke into the first third, the earth couples with the familiar Herrera Esteli cedar notes and adds some chocolaty sweetness while the pepper hits the nose on the retrohale. As I move into the middle, the spice is non-existent, even on the retro, but the story is really about the marrying of cedar and earth with a long cocoa powder finish. As I smoke to the nub, that familiar Herrera Esteli cedar flavor takes over with hints of the earth and the cocoa remains on the finish, though not as long. If I had to guess, I'd say this is a Herrera Esteli with a San Andres wrapper, but knowing Willy and the guys at DE, I doubt that to be the case.
I smoked two cigars out of my box for this review. On one, I nicked the wrapper right below the band, but it did not impact the smoking experience at all. On both, I had to relight as I entered the final third, but that could very likely be my smoking experience. Draw on both was fantastic, and the cigar gave off a good amount of smoke even at rest. Construction was near perfect overall with the ash holding on for about an inch and a half at a time.
I don't know that I enjoy this cigar more than the original Herrera Esteli, but its close and I think its superior to the Norteno (though I have limited experience with the Norteno). Willy and the DE crew have taken the familiar Herrera Esteli flavors and accentuated them with the earth and cocoa flavors that really make this cigar a winner. These are a definite winner in my eyes, and I consider them a box buy (I'm glad I picked up 2).
Logan’s Review – Rating 87 AKA “Five Pack”
On the light, there were notes of grass, earth, and subtle black pepper. There are also notes of chocolate and earth which are present on the retrohale. The body and strength I would call a solid medium at this point. There is faint candy sweetness also present.
The ash was pure white, almost like snow, and had a striking contrast against the dark San Andres wrapper.
On both cigars I smoked, a few construction issues started to show at the mid-point. One of the cigars had a minor bulge and subsequent wrapper tear. The second had some draw issues where I was huffing and puffing to keep the cigar lit. It was a little frustrating to say the least.
There is a buttery quality to the Tienda Exclusiva smoke. There is also a spicy finish which compliments the buttery quality well. There are notes of cocoa as well.
Notes of cedar really dominated the second half of the cigar and were the main thing I picked up.
Maybe I am nuts, but I am not in love with this cigar. The few construction issues coupled with the price point, is a turn off for me. I personally think the Tienda Exclusiva needs some time. I believe there could be some great potential with this cigar, but I don’t think it has hit its prime yet. I would tell you go out and get a five pack and let them age.
The Herrera Esteli Tienda Exclusiva for Barrister Cigars officially released on September 2nd. Matt was at the debut, and posted about it here. Barrister Cigars is the first store to receive a release in the Tienda Exclusiva project. Tienda Eclsuiva, which means store exclusive, is the ability for Drew Estate to create specific releases under the Herrera Esteli banner.
Drew Estate informs us that they plan to have a few Tienda Exclusiva releases a year – each for a different store, and each being a one-time only, limited release. For the Barrister Cigars Tienda Exclusiva, no information was provided on the specific blend info or the number of cigars produced.
Go time.
Herrera Esteli Tienda Exclusiva
Size: 4 7/8 x 46
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Not Disclosed
Filler: Not Disclosed
Cigars Smoked for this Review: Two per Reviewer
Price Point: $13
Cigar Purchased: Purchased from Barrister Cigars
Quick Note: For this review we used Logan’s rating system. You can view it in detail here.
Overall Cigar Federation Average Review: 90.5 AKA “Box Split”
Matt’s Review – Rating 94 AKA “Box Purchase”
I've smoked many, many of these in various prototype phases, but this is only my 2nd in any sort of review format so we'll see how it goes. These cigars, from what I understand, have been aging at DE for at least 7 months, but I just picked this up at the Barrister Cigars Tienda Exclusiva event on September 2nd. The branding pops out immediately as reminiscent of the original Herrera Esteli except instead of red writing on a white background with gold trim, you get white writing on a red background with gold trim and the Tienda Exclusiva Barrister Cigars secondary foot band. The wrapper is a milk-chocolate brown with some visible veins and minimal seams. As I clip the cap with my bulletproof guillotine and take some pre-light draws, I'm met with a really unique flavor - almost like turpentine or something, at least from a sweetness perspective. That's a weird comparison, but that's the best I got - it’s definitely not bad, just unique.
On light, a medium-full earthy pepper note is what I first get. As I smoke into the first third, the earth couples with the familiar Herrera Esteli cedar notes and adds some chocolaty sweetness while the pepper hits the nose on the retrohale. As I move into the middle, the spice is non-existent, even on the retro, but the story is really about the marrying of cedar and earth with a long cocoa powder finish. As I smoke to the nub, that familiar Herrera Esteli cedar flavor takes over with hints of the earth and the cocoa remains on the finish, though not as long. If I had to guess, I'd say this is a Herrera Esteli with a San Andres wrapper, but knowing Willy and the guys at DE, I doubt that to be the case.
I smoked two cigars out of my box for this review. On one, I nicked the wrapper right below the band, but it did not impact the smoking experience at all. On both, I had to relight as I entered the final third, but that could very likely be my smoking experience. Draw on both was fantastic, and the cigar gave off a good amount of smoke even at rest. Construction was near perfect overall with the ash holding on for about an inch and a half at a time.
I don't know that I enjoy this cigar more than the original Herrera Esteli, but its close and I think its superior to the Norteno (though I have limited experience with the Norteno). Willy and the DE crew have taken the familiar Herrera Esteli flavors and accentuated them with the earth and cocoa flavors that really make this cigar a winner. These are a definite winner in my eyes, and I consider them a box buy (I'm glad I picked up 2).
Logan’s Review – Rating 87 AKA “Five Pack”
On the light, there were notes of grass, earth, and subtle black pepper. There are also notes of chocolate and earth which are present on the retrohale. The body and strength I would call a solid medium at this point. There is faint candy sweetness also present.
The ash was pure white, almost like snow, and had a striking contrast against the dark San Andres wrapper.
On both cigars I smoked, a few construction issues started to show at the mid-point. One of the cigars had a minor bulge and subsequent wrapper tear. The second had some draw issues where I was huffing and puffing to keep the cigar lit. It was a little frustrating to say the least.
There is a buttery quality to the Tienda Exclusiva smoke. There is also a spicy finish which compliments the buttery quality well. There are notes of cocoa as well.
Notes of cedar really dominated the second half of the cigar and were the main thing I picked up.
Maybe I am nuts, but I am not in love with this cigar. The few construction issues coupled with the price point, is a turn off for me. I personally think the Tienda Exclusiva needs some time. I believe there could be some great potential with this cigar, but I don’t think it has hit its prime yet. I would tell you go out and get a five pack and let them age.
