Nica Libre 1990
The Specs
Manufactured: Nicaragua
Length/Gauge 6 x 54 Imperial
Wrapper/Filler: San Andres maduro wrapper/Nicaraguan long leaf filler/Habano binder
Price- $6.50 or less
Appearance
Very nice dark chocolate brown maduro wrapper; box pressed with minimal seams and veins.
Grade: B+
Construction
Weight of the stick seems right on for the size and length, gives slightly when pinched. Cut easily with a punch, pre-light draw is perfect, just the right amount of resistance.
Grade: B+
Flavor
Stick has a strong, pungent aroma; very earthy, almost like wet dog but not unpleasant. Pre light draw is very flavorful, some spice. Sick lit easily; has a dense, almost chewy smoke. Some black tea flavor on the draw and spice on the finish. The spice flavor isnt a blast of black pepper, but more like a warming heat all the way down. About an inch into the smoke and its starting to develop some flavors of nuts and leather. Ash fell off about 1.5 inches in and now getting flavors of black coffee and more leather. The spice has receded and is now just warmth on the palette. About ½ down and getting a burnt caramel flavor on the finish which is very pleasant. I had to touch up just once after removing the band. Stick finished with a toasted marshmallow and dark chocolate flavor; medium strength throughout.
Grade: A
Value
Singles will run you about $6.50 at various online retailers, with values in 5 packs at about $4 per stick, and boxes right at $3 per. For the length of smoke and the flavors you get I feel its a great value.
Grade: A
Final Thoughts
Fantastic medium bodied maduro stick with a ton of flavors. Stick burned great at about an hour+. Definitely something for my regular rotation.
Final Grade: A-
The Specs
Manufactured: Nicaragua
Length/Gauge 6 x 54 Imperial
Wrapper/Filler: San Andres maduro wrapper/Nicaraguan long leaf filler/Habano binder
Price- $6.50 or less
Appearance
Very nice dark chocolate brown maduro wrapper; box pressed with minimal seams and veins.
Grade: B+
Construction
Weight of the stick seems right on for the size and length, gives slightly when pinched. Cut easily with a punch, pre-light draw is perfect, just the right amount of resistance.
Grade: B+
Flavor
Stick has a strong, pungent aroma; very earthy, almost like wet dog but not unpleasant. Pre light draw is very flavorful, some spice. Sick lit easily; has a dense, almost chewy smoke. Some black tea flavor on the draw and spice on the finish. The spice flavor isnt a blast of black pepper, but more like a warming heat all the way down. About an inch into the smoke and its starting to develop some flavors of nuts and leather. Ash fell off about 1.5 inches in and now getting flavors of black coffee and more leather. The spice has receded and is now just warmth on the palette. About ½ down and getting a burnt caramel flavor on the finish which is very pleasant. I had to touch up just once after removing the band. Stick finished with a toasted marshmallow and dark chocolate flavor; medium strength throughout.
Grade: A
Value
Singles will run you about $6.50 at various online retailers, with values in 5 packs at about $4 per stick, and boxes right at $3 per. For the length of smoke and the flavors you get I feel its a great value.
Grade: A
Final Thoughts
Fantastic medium bodied maduro stick with a ton of flavors. Stick burned great at about an hour+. Definitely something for my regular rotation.
Final Grade: A-
