Viaje WLP Candella
Size: 5 x 50
Country: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Candella
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Single Price: $8.50ish
Let me say a couple of things before I dive into this. First is that I love Viaje cigars. They are a well constructed smoke that have a have a flavor profile I have not only come to enjoy but also crave. They are indeed one of my favorite lines out there. Second is that the first Candella wrapped cigar I ever smoked was the Illusione "88" and that amazing cigar will be what I use as my standard to compare this one to.
These were a typical Viaje small batch release that were limited to around 100 bundles and distributed to Viaje retailers along with the Exclusivo shorts to coincide with St. patricks day I assume. So enough of the blah, blah, blah and on to the review.
Pre-Light Eval
No surprise that the initial smell of this cigar is a very heavy grass and barnyard aroma and I mean heavy. The construction appears to be solid with the exception of a small patch just below the label and a small crack on the foot that probably had more to with my pocket than the actual construction of the cigar. The cigar clipped easily enough with no damage. The draw is perfcet for my preference and the flavors on it are that same grassy barnayd taste the I smelled before cutting. Even before lighting it I can taste and feel the pepper on my lips.
First 1/3
Right off the bat this isnt what I expected. The pepper blast is of the charts but the creamy almost fruity taste of the wrapper compliment each other extremely well. The burn and draw are both spot on and the smoke output is cloud like. There is definitely a hint of that Viaje flavor profile I have come to recognize as uniquely theirs but the candella wrapper really makes for a unige cigar.
Second 1/3
Into the second 1/3 of the cigar and the grassy/barnyard flavors are giving way to an almost orange peel like taste. I know that sounds weird but thats the only way I can think to describe it. Again, the burn and draw are perfect and the long finish with a hint of spice is very nice. 1/2 way through and the flavors are moving again into a woodsy flavor but that grassy note is still there. The spice has all but faded and the ash is light gray and flakey. It hangs on for just over an inch at a time before falling into the Stinky.
Final 1/3
The flavors in the final part of this cigar are now more of a charred wood and leater taste. The finish is amazingly long and the whole of it really reminds me of a camp fire. There are some hints of roasted nuts in the mix as well. The last 1" of this thing has changed again and finished strong with that same grassy taste that it started with and the pepper returned on the finish to end what has been an incredible cigar.
Final thoughts
I know I said that I was going to use the Illusione "88" as the standard for the review but this WLP candella has become the new standard. I was lucky enough to grab enough of these to have some down the road and I would recommend to anyone that they should try and hunt up a few as well. Great cigar!!
Thanks for reading!!
Size: 5 x 50
Country: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Candella
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Single Price: $8.50ish
Let me say a couple of things before I dive into this. First is that I love Viaje cigars. They are a well constructed smoke that have a have a flavor profile I have not only come to enjoy but also crave. They are indeed one of my favorite lines out there. Second is that the first Candella wrapped cigar I ever smoked was the Illusione "88" and that amazing cigar will be what I use as my standard to compare this one to.
These were a typical Viaje small batch release that were limited to around 100 bundles and distributed to Viaje retailers along with the Exclusivo shorts to coincide with St. patricks day I assume. So enough of the blah, blah, blah and on to the review.
Pre-Light Eval
No surprise that the initial smell of this cigar is a very heavy grass and barnyard aroma and I mean heavy. The construction appears to be solid with the exception of a small patch just below the label and a small crack on the foot that probably had more to with my pocket than the actual construction of the cigar. The cigar clipped easily enough with no damage. The draw is perfcet for my preference and the flavors on it are that same grassy barnayd taste the I smelled before cutting. Even before lighting it I can taste and feel the pepper on my lips.
First 1/3
Right off the bat this isnt what I expected. The pepper blast is of the charts but the creamy almost fruity taste of the wrapper compliment each other extremely well. The burn and draw are both spot on and the smoke output is cloud like. There is definitely a hint of that Viaje flavor profile I have come to recognize as uniquely theirs but the candella wrapper really makes for a unige cigar.
Second 1/3
Into the second 1/3 of the cigar and the grassy/barnyard flavors are giving way to an almost orange peel like taste. I know that sounds weird but thats the only way I can think to describe it. Again, the burn and draw are perfect and the long finish with a hint of spice is very nice. 1/2 way through and the flavors are moving again into a woodsy flavor but that grassy note is still there. The spice has all but faded and the ash is light gray and flakey. It hangs on for just over an inch at a time before falling into the Stinky.
Final 1/3
The flavors in the final part of this cigar are now more of a charred wood and leater taste. The finish is amazingly long and the whole of it really reminds me of a camp fire. There are some hints of roasted nuts in the mix as well. The last 1" of this thing has changed again and finished strong with that same grassy taste that it started with and the pepper returned on the finish to end what has been an incredible cigar.
Final thoughts
I know I said that I was going to use the Illusione "88" as the standard for the review but this WLP candella has become the new standard. I was lucky enough to grab enough of these to have some down the road and I would recommend to anyone that they should try and hunt up a few as well. Great cigar!!
Thanks for reading!!
