Cigar Review Trinidad Espiritu Series No 1
When Smoked: January 2024
Obtained from: purchased from local cigar shop
Size: Double Belicoso (6-1/8 inches x 52)
Approximate cost: US$10
See ratings below
I’m not a huge fan of the US-market (New World) versions of the popular Cuban brands, but there are some exceptions. Some of the newer Montecristo cigars by Rafael Nodal and A.J. Fernandez to point out some very good US-Market cigars with Cuban brand heritage.
I smoked the Espiritu Series No 2 a few months ago, and it was excellent - so a couple of months ago when I was scouring my local B&M shop for review ideas, I grabbed a Trinidad Espiritu Series No 1. The difference, as I understand it, is the wrapper - the No 2 features a San Andres wrapper while the No 1 is an A.J. Fernandez exclusive Criollo-Sumatra hybrid.
The hybrid wrapper is a very pleasant tan color, sort of like a Habano wrapper that hasn’t been out in the sun for a few months. Binder and fillers are from A.J. farms in Nicaragua, and the sticks are rolled in his factory.
This is billed as a medium-full body cigar, and I would agree with that. There was a little kick of spice early on, but it fell off to net about a 7/10 in terms of body and strength.
Flavor is very pleasant but honestly nothing I’d knock you over for. Actually, I consider myself a well-mannered individual and respect my viewers, so I’m not knocking anyone over. Just an expression.
Coincidentally, this cigar was named the #12 cigar of 2023 by Cigar Aficionado. Take that for whatever you think it’s worth.
Burn was excellent, draw was (for my taste) excellent as well. There was a little issue when cutting, the wrapper started to peel off. No disaster though - I kept the band on until the waning minutes of the smoke, at which point it got a bit messy but held together to enjoy the finishing inch or so. The enjoyment score was not reduced to reflect the wrapper issue - this is the first No 1 I smoked and as you can see in the video, it was a cold, cold day (about 0F outside, low 40s in the hut).
All said, the overall smoking enjoyment is an 8.0/10 -a very good (but not great) cigar.
At US$10 per stick with not much discounting or box pricing I’ve seen, this cigar is marginally worth it. If you can catch this at $7 or $8 I’d go for a 5-pack, but I’ve not come across that yet.
Some cigars don’t make the video cut. I have a growing catalog of written-only reviews that you can find at cigarscigarscigars.com
25 янв 2024
