Viaje Exclusivo
I bought these back in January, and posted a review right away, promising myself to re-visit them after resting
Here is the Re-review
(Skip the next paragraph if you want to get straight to the review)
Viaje is a fairly new boutique brand, created by Andre Farkas. The Viaje Holiday Blend 2009 created a stir when released in December, and sold out fairly quickly. The Exclusivo is not yet officially part of the Viaje line (which currently consists of the Platino, Oro and the 50/50), but was very well received when passed out at events. So much so that the Exclusivo was produced in very small batches in various vitolas for specific retailers and/or events. Andre created the Exclusivo Jar (sent to a handful of selected retailers) as 100 numbered jars, each containing 35 pigtailed robustos. Although not much is known about the exact blend on the Exclusivos, it is made in Nicaragua and covered with an
aged Criollo wrapper.
The jar retailed for approximately $295, making each stick a little more than $8.40 each.
Prelight
Chocolaty Criollo wrapper is oily, thick and chewy; with a smell of sweet earth. After snipping the beautifully executed pigtail and cutting the cap, there was a good draw and a taste of leather and wheat bread.
First Third
The Exclusivo lit right up, and drew well. Initial notes of cashews and earth with a very creamy texture. The long finish had a taste of lemon zest (first review noted an herbal, minty note on the finish) Another difference between this review and the one in January was the instant presence of flavors right off the bat .And lots more than before: Cinnamon stick, black cherries, and cashews in the front with a background of sweet earth and toasted wheat bread. Fantastic balance in this blend, and just an overload of great flavors folded into a creamy texture .Fabulous cigar.
The aroma is really nice, and smells of charred wood.
Second Third
The intensity increased slightly and began to provide that Cuban twang PSD#4s and Boli Finos came to mind. The ash is dark grey and clings for at least half of the cigars length Not flakey this time as in the January review.
This cigar produced large amounts of velvety smoke. There were so many flavors running through this cigar that it was hard to identify all of them .Nuts, cinnamon, earth, cherries, lemon, black coffee...Great flavor profile. The notable and awesome aspect of this cigar is the fact that it was very complex, yet balanced extremely well .I can only compare it to an aged SLR Prominente in that regard.
Last Third
Just as the January review, about half way through this cigar opens up dramatically and gets even stronger. I noticed this time that the cigar loses just a touch of the complex flavors as the cigar strengthens .Makes me wonder if this cigar will be even better after a year or two when everything rounds out.
The solid ash finally dropped, revealing a perfect cone shaped cherry. This cigar is very well made The craftsmanship is evident from the pigtail to the ash. Quality control is certainly of prime concern to Andre.
Closing
Fantastic cigar.
I have been smoking cigars for 20 years now (NO expert by any means) and this ranks up there as one of the best I have ever had. A thoroughly enjoyable, well made, exceptionally blended and balanced cigar.
I bought these back in January, and posted a review right away, promising myself to re-visit them after resting
Here is the Re-review
(Skip the next paragraph if you want to get straight to the review)
Viaje is a fairly new boutique brand, created by Andre Farkas. The Viaje Holiday Blend 2009 created a stir when released in December, and sold out fairly quickly. The Exclusivo is not yet officially part of the Viaje line (which currently consists of the Platino, Oro and the 50/50), but was very well received when passed out at events. So much so that the Exclusivo was produced in very small batches in various vitolas for specific retailers and/or events. Andre created the Exclusivo Jar (sent to a handful of selected retailers) as 100 numbered jars, each containing 35 pigtailed robustos. Although not much is known about the exact blend on the Exclusivos, it is made in Nicaragua and covered with an
aged Criollo wrapper.
The jar retailed for approximately $295, making each stick a little more than $8.40 each.
Prelight
Chocolaty Criollo wrapper is oily, thick and chewy; with a smell of sweet earth. After snipping the beautifully executed pigtail and cutting the cap, there was a good draw and a taste of leather and wheat bread.
First Third
The Exclusivo lit right up, and drew well. Initial notes of cashews and earth with a very creamy texture. The long finish had a taste of lemon zest (first review noted an herbal, minty note on the finish) Another difference between this review and the one in January was the instant presence of flavors right off the bat .And lots more than before: Cinnamon stick, black cherries, and cashews in the front with a background of sweet earth and toasted wheat bread. Fantastic balance in this blend, and just an overload of great flavors folded into a creamy texture .Fabulous cigar.
The aroma is really nice, and smells of charred wood.
Second Third
The intensity increased slightly and began to provide that Cuban twang PSD#4s and Boli Finos came to mind. The ash is dark grey and clings for at least half of the cigars length Not flakey this time as in the January review.
This cigar produced large amounts of velvety smoke. There were so many flavors running through this cigar that it was hard to identify all of them .Nuts, cinnamon, earth, cherries, lemon, black coffee...Great flavor profile. The notable and awesome aspect of this cigar is the fact that it was very complex, yet balanced extremely well .I can only compare it to an aged SLR Prominente in that regard.
Last Third
Just as the January review, about half way through this cigar opens up dramatically and gets even stronger. I noticed this time that the cigar loses just a touch of the complex flavors as the cigar strengthens .Makes me wonder if this cigar will be even better after a year or two when everything rounds out.
The solid ash finally dropped, revealing a perfect cone shaped cherry. This cigar is very well made The craftsmanship is evident from the pigtail to the ash. Quality control is certainly of prime concern to Andre.
Closing
Fantastic cigar.
I have been smoking cigars for 20 years now (NO expert by any means) and this ranks up there as one of the best I have ever had. A thoroughly enjoyable, well made, exceptionally blended and balanced cigar.
