Viaje Holiday Blend 2009
(Skip the next paragraph if you want to get straight to the review)
Viaje is another great boutique cigar, with a true passion for creating a quality smoke. 2009 is the debut year for the Holiday Blend, produced in very limited run (100 boxes of 30). This is definitely a full bodied cigar, right up there with Opus X and Bolivar (Cuban) in strength. Binder and Filler are all Nicaraguan, held together with a glistening Criollo wrapper. Triple capped in a very rounded fashion, and an interesting covered foot, which Viaje says is designed to keep the cigars warm in the winter. This robusto size sports a generous ring of 54. MSRP is $8.75, which is a steal for a cigar of such craftsmanship and quality.
Pre-light
This first thing I noticed when selecting this cigar was the heft There is a healthy amount of tobacco packed into this cigar. The Criollo wrapper is shiny and dark with a reddish tinge. The covered foot is a neat touch and adds a certain sense of style to the ciagrs appearance. After cutting, the draw seems nearly perfect, with just enough resistance to potentially burn well.
First Third
This cigar definitely starts off strong, and lets you know that this is not a smoke for a beginner or an empty stomach. There is a strong background of earth and leather, with elements of cocoa and coffee beans. There is also a spicy herbal essence that remains undefined.
The ash is solid and strong, and the few errant runs in the burn correct themselves without any need of the torch. The ash is dark grey and very tight, indicating very good craftsmanship.
Second Third
The strength increases, and the herbal essence turns into a distinct gin-like flavor of juniper berries. (You gin and tonic fans will love this cigar!)
The cocoa flattens out into bakers chocolate, and an element of walnuts emerges. The dense packing of tobacco and the sizeable ring gauge effortlessly produce generous amounts of smoke. The finish is very long, seemingly lasting until the next draw.
Last Third
The home stretch provides a culmination of walnuts, unsweetened chocolate and juniper berries, scattered in a background of heavy tobacco and leather. This is a strong and full bodied cigar. The burn line is thin and remained even .Again, the craftsmanship is very apparent.
Closing
A well made and well presented powerhouse with some great flavors and complexities.
The only negative about this cigar is that its youth delivers raw, sharp flavors that almost border on harsh. This should be a fantastic cigar a few years down the road when the flavor profile rounds out and blends in.
Looking forward to the 2010 Holiday Blend!
(Skip the next paragraph if you want to get straight to the review)
Viaje is another great boutique cigar, with a true passion for creating a quality smoke. 2009 is the debut year for the Holiday Blend, produced in very limited run (100 boxes of 30). This is definitely a full bodied cigar, right up there with Opus X and Bolivar (Cuban) in strength. Binder and Filler are all Nicaraguan, held together with a glistening Criollo wrapper. Triple capped in a very rounded fashion, and an interesting covered foot, which Viaje says is designed to keep the cigars warm in the winter. This robusto size sports a generous ring of 54. MSRP is $8.75, which is a steal for a cigar of such craftsmanship and quality.
Pre-light
This first thing I noticed when selecting this cigar was the heft There is a healthy amount of tobacco packed into this cigar. The Criollo wrapper is shiny and dark with a reddish tinge. The covered foot is a neat touch and adds a certain sense of style to the ciagrs appearance. After cutting, the draw seems nearly perfect, with just enough resistance to potentially burn well.
First Third
This cigar definitely starts off strong, and lets you know that this is not a smoke for a beginner or an empty stomach. There is a strong background of earth and leather, with elements of cocoa and coffee beans. There is also a spicy herbal essence that remains undefined.
The ash is solid and strong, and the few errant runs in the burn correct themselves without any need of the torch. The ash is dark grey and very tight, indicating very good craftsmanship.
Second Third
The strength increases, and the herbal essence turns into a distinct gin-like flavor of juniper berries. (You gin and tonic fans will love this cigar!)
The cocoa flattens out into bakers chocolate, and an element of walnuts emerges. The dense packing of tobacco and the sizeable ring gauge effortlessly produce generous amounts of smoke. The finish is very long, seemingly lasting until the next draw.
Last Third
The home stretch provides a culmination of walnuts, unsweetened chocolate and juniper berries, scattered in a background of heavy tobacco and leather. This is a strong and full bodied cigar. The burn line is thin and remained even .Again, the craftsmanship is very apparent.
Closing
A well made and well presented powerhouse with some great flavors and complexities.
The only negative about this cigar is that its youth delivers raw, sharp flavors that almost border on harsh. This should be a fantastic cigar a few years down the road when the flavor profile rounds out and blends in.
Looking forward to the 2010 Holiday Blend!
and loved it. I didn't get the harshness but did get a lot of very bold flavors. It was a great Christmas Eve smoke!
