La Escepcion Selectos Fino Italian Regional Edition from 2011
In 2011, the official Italian distributor of Habanos, Diademas, made a bold and distinctive move. They revived one of the oldest Cuban cigar brands, La Escepcion, and used the brand for exclusive Italian Regional Edition cigars. To date, only two La Escepcion cigars have been produced since the revival. The Selectos Fino being featured today, and the Don Jose released in 2015. Here is a look on what makes this so special and important for the Cuban cigar world.
ABOUT THE BRAND – LA ESCEPCION.
Despite not being an active brand in the Habanos production, La Escepcion remains one of the oldest brands. It all started in 1851 when Don Jose Gener launched the brand in Cuba. At its’ height in the 1970s, the brand counted eight cigars in regular production. La Escepcion was officially discontinued in 1989, and it was only with the release of the cigar being featured here, Selectos Finos, that the brand was partially revived. If you look closely at your older Hoyo de Monterrey cigars, you will see the name “Jose Gener”. The connection is that Jose Gener used the funds he earned from La Escepcion to purchase the Hoyo de Monterrey farm in the San Juan y Martinez area in Vuelta Abajo.
ABOUT THE CIGAR – LA ESCEPCION :: Selectos Fino :: Italian Regional Edition 2011
Only three other cigars in the Habanos portfolio were ever released with this size, a long slender and elegant vitola. The other two were the Partagas Serie du Connaisseur No. 2 which was discontinued in 2010, and the Saint Luis Rey Entre Palmas, discontinued in the 1970s. Let’s face it, these sizes are just not as popular as they deserve to be. Ring gauges have gone to such heavy sizes. Yours truly admittingly loves these long and skinny cigars. I find them elegant and full of flavor.
As many of you know, as a rule of thumb, thinner cigars are stronger and fuller bodied than most heavy ring gauge cigars. The simple reason for this is that the skinnier cigars have very little of the volado type of tobacco leave. The volado leaf is at the bottom of the tobacco plant, and is used mainly for combustion. And so, seeing as the ring gauge is so small, the blenders leave most of the ring gauge for the seco and ligero leaves, which carry the flavor and strength.
Selectos Fino come in dress boxes of 25, and are currently a rare find on the international cigar market.
BOX DATE: 2011
SIZE: 38 x 6.5 inches.
FACTORY NAME: Parejos
1st Part
The cigar packs a strong punch with a roundness to it. The flavor is full, a mix between rich tobacco and dark chocolate. Slightly bitter, while the texture in the mouth is creamy.
2nd Part
This Selectos Fino is very creamy and is pairing perfectly with the espresso macchiato. The richness of the espresso is catching the richness of the cigar and especially on the dark chocolate I was tasting earlier on.
3rd Part
The strength has remained the same, taking into account that it was full bodied right from the beginning. The evolution was minimal, but the flavor is so nice that it almost preferable that way.
SUMMARY
Italians enjoy strong cigars. The country produces its own brand of very popular cigars called Toscano which many of you have probably tried at some point. It is no surprise that an Italian Regional edition would be very full bodied. The fact that I picked up a lot of espresso and dark chocolate can certainly be a mind trick, and it was so enjoyable that I did not question it. Instead, I enjoyed it very much. After all, if all the senses are happy, then that makes the cigar experience all the more pleasant.
If you happen to come across a box or even singles of these cigars, do yourself a favor and pick one up and try it. I can hear many cigar lovers of the bigger ring gauge crying that it is just too small. My advice, try one. If you’re worried about the draw, be sure to try one that feels a little softer. You will taste flavors on a cigar that are not found in many cigars these days.
SCORE
Construction: 8 on 10.
Flavour: 10 on 10.
Evolution: 7 on 10.
Overall: 8.5 on 10
PAIRING SUGGESTION:
Espresso
Dark Chocolate
In keeping with the Italian spirit, why not pair this Selectos Fino with a rich Barolo red wine or Amarone red wine. The two will hold their own and you can enjoy the subtleties of both the leaf and grape.
Hi,
I am trying to get more information on La Escepcion. I found what I believe to be a very old 4 onzas. I am trying to estimate the age of the Picadura Selecta extra fina. They are unopened in perfect condition. They were stored in a humidor. Hoping someone can help. There is nothing on the web regarding this, what I feel is rare cigar.
Best
Carlos
Hello Carlos,
thank you for the comment. I personally have not seen this cigar. Even checked the Min Ron Nee Habanos Encylopedia and did not see “Picadura Selecta” from La Escepcion. Can you upload a photo? We’ll take a look!
Antonio