danthebugman
BoM Nov '10
Size: 5.5 x 42
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican & Nicaraguan
Price: ~ $8.50
Intro: Today was Manuel Quesada's 65th birthday. Seems like a perfect time to fire up what I feel is one of the best cigar Quesada has offered up to date (but I've still got more to try). The Espana is a line of cigars intended for the overseas market and blended to compete against Cubans. Fortunately there are a select few retailers in the states that have been able to get them, one of them is blessedly close to me. I have already reviewed the Petite Robusto, but was having a hard time securing the Corona. Finally snagged a fiver from a brother and this is my last of those.
Prelight: Nice medium brown wrapper with no real veins to speak of and an oily sheen to it. The seams are tight and the cap is neatly applied. Overall a very well done package. The band is attractive, yet not obtrusive. Feels well packed and has a lightly cedary and barnyard aroma to it. Initally punched the cap, but found the draw too tight for my liking so I clipped it with the Palio. Still slightly tight, but much better. Flavors were a slight sweetness and a faint woodiness. There wasn't any wind to be found today as I sat out on the deck and since it seems all my lighters are dry (Doh!) I decided to put flame to it with some good ol' matches. Took four of 'em, but it fired up just fine...
First Third: Initial flavors were a slight sweetness and woodiness that intensified over the course of the first few puffs. There was also a fairly intense spice on the tip of the tongue, but that only lasted about the first inch then backed off. The burn was sharp and ash was faint gray to white. Smoke output was streaming like a steam engine.
Second Third: The sweetness decreased over the course of the second third and the woodiness became deeper. A touch of leather joined the party as well. The burn went a little astray and needed some touching up. At one point a sizeable portion of the cigar on one side didn't want to burn. It's been my experience that this isn't the norm with these cigars.
Last Third: Just before the last thrid the cigar went out. Relit without issue and didn't seem to effect it at all. The flavors continued to change after the relight with the leather continuing to replace the woodiness and the sweetness only seemed an afterthought...though a good one.
Final Thoughts: Mmmm...yeah. I really like this cigar. Box worthy for sure. Due to the limited availablity they may not be easy to come by (especially the Coronas), but if you can find them do try them. There's a thread somewhere here that discusses retailers that have them, but I cannot find it at the moment.
Dan
