Espinosa Cigars – Espinosa Maduro

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last week or so, you are well aware of the  regulations the FDA has proposed on cigars.  There have been some exceptional pieces written by the online cigar media community on the impact these regulations could have on the cigar industry. I highly recommend that you check out the following articles:

• halfwheel – Understanding the FDA’s Deeming Document
• Stogie Guys – What the FDA ‘Deeming Document’ Means for Cigars
• Stogie Guys – Why the FDA’s $10 Exemption Proposal is More Dangerous than You Realize

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In March 2013, I had the privilege of reviewing the Espinosa Habano. This cigar was my introduction to the work done at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona factory. And what a great first impression it was. The Habano found its way to the #7 spot on my 2013 Top 10 List. I bring to you today a review of the second release under the Espinosa line, the Espinosa Maduro that was released just over a year ago.

The Espinosa Maduro is produced at La Zona in Esteli, Nicaragua and is available in four vitolas: Robusto (5 by 52), Belicoso (5 ½ by 52), Corona Gorda (5 ⅝ by 46), and Toro (6 by 52). All vitolas, with the exception of the Corona Gorda, come in a box-pressed format.

The Facts

Samples Provided by Espinosa Cigars
Price: $7 – $7:50
Vitola: Corona Gorda
Size: 5 ⅝ by 46
Wrapper: Mexican Maduro
Binder: Unknown
Filler: Nicaraguan
Time: 1 Hour and 25 Minutes
Drink: Water

Pre-light

The wrapper is consistent in its milk chocolate color. A fair share of veins and bumps can be seen down the leaf. The wrapper aroma is rather faint but has a pungency to it and some earthy notes. The foot aroma is much more appealing with notes of chocolate, almost brownie like, earth, and cedar.

The cigar ends in a tiny pig-tailed cap. The Corona Gorda is the only vitola that sports a pig-tailed cap, which I absolutely adore.  After a cut that slightly cracked the wrapper, a rich cold draw is revealed with rich tobacco and clove notes, leaving a spice tingle on my lips.

First Third

After sliding off the foot band with ease, I torch the foot and the Espinosa Maduro is underway. This Mexican Maduro wrapped cigar is starting off with some yeasty-bread, coffee, and cocoa notes, along with some spice on the finish of the smoke. As I progress through the first third, I notice that the spice warmth continues to move up in intensity even after the smoke departs from my mouth. While there is some cocoa notes in the profile, there is almost no corresponding sweetness.  A copious amount of smoke is being produced from this 5 5/8 by 46 Corona Gorda. A salt and pepper, layered ash is being produced as the cigar burns evenly.

Middle Third

The cocoa is moving to the font of the profile, the spice remains at the medium/full range, and I am finding some added woodsy notes. An earthyness has arrived and sits heavy on the palate for a good amount of time. The boldness of the flavors has moved from medium to full. The spice has transformed from a black pepper to more of a red pepper spice. The Espinosa Maduro is continuing to pour out a ton of smoke, but it is now leaving my plate a bit dry. The ash has become flaky but the burn line is right on.

Final Third

The clove richness I picked up on in the cold draw has founds its way to the profile.  The cocoa and woodsy notes are holding strong, while the rest of the flavors have moved to the background. The burn decided to get crazy for a few minutes but quickly resolved itself, allowing me to sit back and relax with no touch-ups for the entire hour and twenty-five minutes.

Wrap-up

Even though the Espinosa Maduro wears a Mexican wrapper, I did not pick up on the unique, easily identifiable San Andres Maduro flavors I usually get. However, this cigar still delivered very enjoyable flavors of cocoa, spice, earth, and woodsy notes. The rich final third to the stick was a great ending to the experience. I really became attached to the Corona Gorda size when Four Kicks by Crowned Heads hit the market a couple years back. But it still remains a difficult vitola to find at the local shop. So, I was more than pleased to find the samples of the Espinosa Maduro in one of my favorite sizes. This is just another bonus to an already solid stick. Overall, I still lean towards the Habano, but this is definitely a cigar you need to try.

* The winds that are common to El Paso this time a year has moved my cigar smoking into the garage for the time being. So instead of boring you with photos from my garage, I decided to only post the photos taken outside before the weather got too ugly. Hopefully, the weather will improve by this weekend and I will have a complete review, photos and all, up next week.