Torpedo, 6.125" x 52 ring gauge / approx. $11
Earlier this year when Nestor Miranda was at my local shop, he said he was releasing "something special" at this year's show...limited run, leather lined box, etc. Something to stand as a "crown jewel" of the line of cigars bearing his signature. The Grand Reserve is that cigar, exclusive and limited, but not overly pricey; it was blended by Pepin Garcia and made at the My Father factory in Nicaragua. It utilizes Nicaraguan filler and binder along with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. There are only 1,000 boxes of 10 being released; this review sample is my third, two of which were provided by Miami Cigar and Company, for which I offer my thanks.
I love the way this cigar looks. The green and gold band is elegant, especially the jewel-like piece at the top center of it. I can see how this theme could be repeated in red or blue in subsequent years if Nestor Miranda wanted to make the Grand Reserve an annual, slightly different release (maybe a different vitola or vintage of leaf each year). The wrapper was oily with small veins, which struck me as unusual for a Broadleaf, which so often has the heavy, rustic look. The cigar had been box-pressed and the corners were softly rounded and comfortable to hold. Holding the cigar to my nose, I got an aroma of leather and earth; the foot had more pungent earthy notes. I used my Xikar Xi to clip the tip of the Grand Reserve. The cold draw was easy and rich with flavors of raisins and leather.
Once lit, I tasted earth and leather right up front, with bitter cocoa powder and a hint of sweetness underlying. The retrohale was strong and peppery...actually everything about this was strong right from the beginning. The Grand Reserve is unlike pretty much anything else in the Miami Cigar catalog in that way. Last year saw the introduction of La Sirena, at that time said to be the most potent cigar in their lineup, but this one seems, to me to be more full-bodied and strong right from the outset. Flavors of earth continued to be dominant through much of the first third, although smoother chocolate notes did weave in and out of the smoke on a cool fall evening.
Starting the second third, I noticed that the burn line, which had been ragged at the beginning had evened up nicely with no help from me. The draw was fantastic and the ash held on for half an inch or more I tapped off. While the Grand Reserve had started out a bit harsh, by the middle of the cigar it smoothed out to a more refined smoke. Earthiness still took the lead role, but the sweetness of the Broadleaf wrapper came more into play with notes of dried fruit and cocoa powder.
In the final third, notes of anise came through as well as the cigar ended on a high note. In the end, I liked this cigar, but did not love it. To me it seems like a bit of aging, perhaps a year or so, would do much to round out and smooth the rougher edges I got in the first half, so maybe that's the key: buy a box and let them age a bit. The body was full, but not overwhelmingly so; the same can be said for the nicotine strength. Experienced smokers are probably all that should apply for this experience, especially those who enjoy a good strong Tatuaje, as the Grand Reserve reminded me of some of them in some ways. All the elements of a great cigar are there, I think, but this is one that just might need a little more time to fully mature. For how this smokes currently, the price tag is just a bit too steep; given more time, though, it might fully justify an $11 expenditure.
Body: 8/10
Strength: 7/10
Complexity: 7/10
AFP Scale
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 3.5/5
Value: .5/1
Total: 8/10
Earlier this year when Nestor Miranda was at my local shop, he said he was releasing "something special" at this year's show...limited run, leather lined box, etc. Something to stand as a "crown jewel" of the line of cigars bearing his signature. The Grand Reserve is that cigar, exclusive and limited, but not overly pricey; it was blended by Pepin Garcia and made at the My Father factory in Nicaragua. It utilizes Nicaraguan filler and binder along with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. There are only 1,000 boxes of 10 being released; this review sample is my third, two of which were provided by Miami Cigar and Company, for which I offer my thanks.
I love the way this cigar looks. The green and gold band is elegant, especially the jewel-like piece at the top center of it. I can see how this theme could be repeated in red or blue in subsequent years if Nestor Miranda wanted to make the Grand Reserve an annual, slightly different release (maybe a different vitola or vintage of leaf each year). The wrapper was oily with small veins, which struck me as unusual for a Broadleaf, which so often has the heavy, rustic look. The cigar had been box-pressed and the corners were softly rounded and comfortable to hold. Holding the cigar to my nose, I got an aroma of leather and earth; the foot had more pungent earthy notes. I used my Xikar Xi to clip the tip of the Grand Reserve. The cold draw was easy and rich with flavors of raisins and leather.
Once lit, I tasted earth and leather right up front, with bitter cocoa powder and a hint of sweetness underlying. The retrohale was strong and peppery...actually everything about this was strong right from the beginning. The Grand Reserve is unlike pretty much anything else in the Miami Cigar catalog in that way. Last year saw the introduction of La Sirena, at that time said to be the most potent cigar in their lineup, but this one seems, to me to be more full-bodied and strong right from the outset. Flavors of earth continued to be dominant through much of the first third, although smoother chocolate notes did weave in and out of the smoke on a cool fall evening.
Starting the second third, I noticed that the burn line, which had been ragged at the beginning had evened up nicely with no help from me. The draw was fantastic and the ash held on for half an inch or more I tapped off. While the Grand Reserve had started out a bit harsh, by the middle of the cigar it smoothed out to a more refined smoke. Earthiness still took the lead role, but the sweetness of the Broadleaf wrapper came more into play with notes of dried fruit and cocoa powder. In the final third, notes of anise came through as well as the cigar ended on a high note. In the end, I liked this cigar, but did not love it. To me it seems like a bit of aging, perhaps a year or so, would do much to round out and smooth the rougher edges I got in the first half, so maybe that's the key: buy a box and let them age a bit. The body was full, but not overwhelmingly so; the same can be said for the nicotine strength. Experienced smokers are probably all that should apply for this experience, especially those who enjoy a good strong Tatuaje, as the Grand Reserve reminded me of some of them in some ways. All the elements of a great cigar are there, I think, but this is one that just might need a little more time to fully mature. For how this smokes currently, the price tag is just a bit too steep; given more time, though, it might fully justify an $11 expenditure.
Body: 8/10
Strength: 7/10
Complexity: 7/10
AFP Scale
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 3.5/5
Value: .5/1
Total: 8/10
I love these cigars. very thorough review, well
ReplyDeletedone. Leo_botl