Spring is here and for many cigar aficionados, that means more opportunities to enjoy a cigar as the weather begins to warm up.
This month, 2 cigars from the brand Trinidad made the list. The brand is a very common favorite for most of us that enjoy Cubans. They are elegant and distinctive with their pigtail finish, the sizes in the portfolio are mainly unique to the brand, and they are simply excellent cigars. Further, Trinidad is at the pinnacle of the Cuban cigar portfolio alongside it’s more famous cousin Cohiba. Both brands evoke quality, superb flavor, and great ageing potential.
Let’s dive right in. Here are my monthly picks for May.
CUBAN
Trinidad “Vigia”
Size: 54 x 4 3/8
FACTORY NAME: Torres
The Petit Robusto sized Trinidad was popular since its 2014 release, and the quality and popularity of the Vigia keeps growing over time. For me, this is one of the handful of Cuban cigars that taste great without them being aged and vintage. Having said that, the blend used in Trinidad typically offers a complex bouquet after even only 5 to 10 years of ageing.
Regardless, the Vigia that have been coming out of the Havana factories of late are superb, flavorful, and exactly the quality we have come to expect from the brand Trinidad.
Also of note, the Vigia is the only cigar in its size coming from Cuba (same is true for the Trinidad Coloniales featured below).
Flavor and strength profile: mild to medium in strength, the flavors range from creamy, almonds, buttery.
NEW WORLD CIGAR
Arturo Fuente “Curly Head”
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Country Of Origin: Dominican Republic
Size: 43 x 6 1/2
FACTORY NAME: Lonsdale
Referred to as a sandwich blend, mixing both long filler and short filler leaves in the Curly Head cigar.
The legendary Dominican brand offers a real gem in its’ collection. The Curly Head are attractively priced, and come in a beautiful box of 40. That makes it great to include in your collection as you can enjoy one every so often, share with friends and see how they age over time.
They come without a band which adds to the old school feel. Because the one I had a slightly veiny wrapper, it felt like a custom roller cigar, that is always a nice feeling.
Flavor and strength profile: Medium bodied cigar with quality that the Fuente brand is known for. I will say, the cigar will not evolve much, however the taste it offers is a pleasant one and remains from beginning to end.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH CIGAR
Trinidad “Coloniales”
Size: 44 x 5 1/4
FACTORY NAME: Coloniales
This section allows me to share cigars that really fly under the radar, mainly because of their size, and sometimes, because they are mispriced, usually on the higher side. In both cases, the result is that we have the pleasure of finding those “forgotten” boxes in some shops with a few years on them. The Trinidad Coloniales is one of those cigars. In a box of 24 cigars, you can bet that most will taste the same, and with a great construction. The aromas coming from a full box are similar to that of a nice bouquet. A consistency that unfortunately lacks in many other Cuban cigar boxes.
Released in 2004, the relatively unpopular size has toughed it out and maintains in regular production. Let us hope that will remain for many years.
Flavor and strength profile: Mild to medium. Very floral, sweet, creamy cigar.
SPECIAL CELEBRATORY CIGAR
Montecristo “Leyanda” from LINEA 1935
Size: 55 x 6 1/2
FACTORY NAME: Maravillas No. 2
In 2017, Habanos launched the “Linea 1935” to commemorate the founding of the historic brand. Three sizes were part of the series, the “Dumas”, the “Maltes” and the featured “Leyanda”. Many factors played in to the Double Robusto size Leyanda being the winner of the threesome. I believe mainly because the series was slightly on the expensive side, and which led to customers spending the extra dollars on the bigger cigar of the three. Also, the blend used seems to have worked best in the larger size.
We see this often with Habanos. Recently the Romeo y Julieta Lineo de oro, Cohiba Behike, Cohiba Maduro 5. There is always 1 of the 3 that hits the mark, while the others, although good cigars, are often under the radar. For the 1935 Linea, the Leyanda is the one.
The cigar has since been discontinued in Canada due in part to plain packaging. However, they can be found in most reputable shops around the World.
Flavor and strength profile: Medium to full bodied. Dark chocolate type flavors mixed with earthy tones.
