JC Newman

January 25, 2015

Viaje Holiday Blend 2014 (4 1/2 x 56)





Video review HERE.


Viaje Holiday Blend 2014 marks the fifth batch of the Viaje Holiday Blend to be released since its inception in 2009, and it also marks the return of this blend after a one year absence. The 2013 version of the Holiday Blend was cancelled due to production delays.

The Holiday Blend is a Nicaraguan puro that features a Nicaraguan Criollo wrapper.

The cigar size is 4 1/2 x 56 - the size that was originally targeted for the cancelled 2013 release.

The cigar features an unfinished foot. Here is a shot of the foot.




After cutting the cap the test draw was effortless. The initial flavors were a black licorice, leather, dark coffee which tastes like espresso, and black pepper rated at an 8. There are a lot of dark notes in this cigar to start off.


1 inch in and the cigar made a huge transformation. The licorice notes have now changed to a sweet cedar with some butteriness, dry wood, dark coffee, and light leather. The cigar is very sweet. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is dry wood and sweet cream with an average amount of lingering black pepper.



At the band the ash is still intact. The espresso is indeed a dark roasted black coffee. The sweet, buttery cedar is so sweet it reminds me of cake icing. There are dry wood notes that are smokey and light leather notes. The finish is very sweet also; sweet cream and dry wood. The cigar has really gotten very good.



The cigar stayed true to the end. I really enjoyed the extreme sweetness of the cedar. The light butter notes made it even better. The burn was pretty good throughout. The cigar maintained medium to full bodied. This has been a great cigar and one of the best Viaje's that I've had. I purchased this cigar locally so they should still be around on shelves at shops that carry Viaje cigars. Try them. You won't be disappointed.


Score: 94

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