No. 12, 5" x 52 ring gauge / approx. $7.50
Okay, so first thing that popped into my head when I heard Eddie Ortega was doing a new brand was "Why?...he already owns a brand." I've since been given a couple theories...and they make sense, so I'll just leave it be. The second thing was "Mexican wrapper? Shoot!" If you've been reading these pages long you'll know my aversion to most Mexican wrapper leaves...almost like Keith's aversion to Cameroon wrapper. There are definitely great examples of either of our least favorite wrapper leaves, but so many examples are just...meh. I had to hold back, though, and wait to give these a try as they are made by My Father Cigars and are issuing forth from the mind of Eddie, who has been behind some of my favorite cigars (601 Red and Cubao Maduro come immediately to mind). Eddie did generous send me a sampler pack of these...I gave some to retailer friends who hadn't had a chance to try them yet, and smoked about three myself. The filler and binder are all Nicaraguan from Esteli and Jalapa; the wrapper is a Mexican Maduro from the San Andres Valley.
Beautiful and oily to the eye and to the touch, with an aroma like chocolate...and yes, as Keith mentioned in his review a few weeks ago, the band is quite Christmasy. Thanks for putting that in my mind, Keith...now I expect a line of ornaments to show up around November. The Serie D opened up very earthy and with a rich bitterness of dark roast coffee and baker's cocoa, though it was mostly balanced well by a chocolatey sweetness. I say mostly because this vitola did not seem quite as well balanced in this department as a couple of the others I had tried. It is amazing how a small size difference can affect what is essentially the same blend.
The Ortega Serie D was very good overall in this size. It had a nice blend of earth, pepper spice, cocoa powder and sweetness, all of which increased and decreased in intensity several times. While it definitely had the flavor of a Mexican wrapper, it wasn't dominated by bitter notes like many of them are. I would compare it favorably to a Padron 1964 Maduro...only at a little over the price. Very nice, indeed.
Okay, so first thing that popped into my head when I heard Eddie Ortega was doing a new brand was "Why?...he already owns a brand." I've since been given a couple theories...and they make sense, so I'll just leave it be. The second thing was "Mexican wrapper? Shoot!" If you've been reading these pages long you'll know my aversion to most Mexican wrapper leaves...almost like Keith's aversion to Cameroon wrapper. There are definitely great examples of either of our least favorite wrapper leaves, but so many examples are just...meh. I had to hold back, though, and wait to give these a try as they are made by My Father Cigars and are issuing forth from the mind of Eddie, who has been behind some of my favorite cigars (601 Red and Cubao Maduro come immediately to mind). Eddie did generous send me a sampler pack of these...I gave some to retailer friends who hadn't had a chance to try them yet, and smoked about three myself. The filler and binder are all Nicaraguan from Esteli and Jalapa; the wrapper is a Mexican Maduro from the San Andres Valley.
Beautiful and oily to the eye and to the touch, with an aroma like chocolate...and yes, as Keith mentioned in his review a few weeks ago, the band is quite Christmasy. Thanks for putting that in my mind, Keith...now I expect a line of ornaments to show up around November. The Serie D opened up very earthy and with a rich bitterness of dark roast coffee and baker's cocoa, though it was mostly balanced well by a chocolatey sweetness. I say mostly because this vitola did not seem quite as well balanced in this department as a couple of the others I had tried. It is amazing how a small size difference can affect what is essentially the same blend.
The Ortega Serie D was very good overall in this size. It had a nice blend of earth, pepper spice, cocoa powder and sweetness, all of which increased and decreased in intensity several times. While it definitely had the flavor of a Mexican wrapper, it wasn't dominated by bitter notes like many of them are. I would compare it favorably to a Padron 1964 Maduro...only at a little over the price. Very nice, indeed.
I have heard great things about this stick I can't wait to try it. Eddie makes great stuff. The Bat and 601 Blue!!! Forget it.. love them
ReplyDeleteMy love of these cigars has been well documented. Great review, David. Great cigar, Eddie.
ReplyDeleteI'm not too big on Mexican tobacco either but lately, I've had a few cigars that have changed my mind. This new line of Ortega cigars looks like another examply how I need to keep and open mind and a lighter close by. Great review and I am going to get a few of these great looking sticks.
ReplyDeleteSticks of MN