JC Newman

February 18, 2018

Villiger Cigars La Vencedora Toro (6 x 50)






Video review HERE.


Villiger Cigars begins 2018, which is the 130th year anniversary of the company, with the announcement of the newest Villiger Cigar brand, the Villiger La Vencedora. The Villiger La Vencedora is the follow up blend to the Villiger La Flor De Ynclan which attained a number 14 ranking in my Top Cigars for 2017. The Villiger La Vencedora which translates to “The Victor” is the first ever full-bodied Villiger cigar, and carries a special meaning to Villiger Cigars chairman of the board, Heinrich Villiger.

The Villiger La Vencedora or “The Victor” represents to Heinrich Villiger the arrival of Villiger Cigars to the premium handmade cigar segment. It was time, in his opinion, to push to the envelope and create a legacy cigar that will serve as a proper follow up to the acclaimed Villiger La Flor De Ynclan brand. This Nicaraguan puro wrapped in a beautiful Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro, boasts a potent full-bodied smoking experience, featuring highly seasoned, hearty flavors.

Heinrich Villiger said, “We are grateful for the opportunity to use our 130 years of experience to create what I feel is a very special cigar in the Villiger La Vencedora.”

Rene CastaƱeda President of Villiger Cigars North America stated, “We as a team feel that the Villiger La Vencedora is a palate pleasing, full-bodied, yet elegant cigar, that will satisfy the cigar connoisseur as well as the casual smoker.


Vitolas:
Robusto (5x50) MSRP: $9.00
Toro (6x50) MSRP: $9.50
Churchill (7x50) MSRP: $10.00



The cigar is well made and a dark brown. It has an average feel in the hand.





The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors were a sweet cedar with light pink grapefruit aspects, brown sugar, cream, leather, and black coffee.  There was black pepper which I rated at a 6 1/2 to 7. There are quite a bit of old, worn leather notes. The cigar tastes very full bodied at this point. Actual strength will be determined in the first third.




1 1/2 inch in (18 minutes) there is still a sweet cedar with a twang attached to it. Now it's more of a regular orange citrus flavor. There are quite a bit of cinnamon notes now. Previously they were not as noticeable. There are still nice brown sugar notes. There is a thick cream flavor, almost to the point of tasting like a white chocolate. There are still a lot of leather notes and a black coffee base. The flavors are a good mix. The leather is not intrusive and adds to the flavors. The cigar still tastes full flavored but I would call the strength medium to full. The finish is a straight sweet cream with nice lingering black pepper. The cigar is burning evenly. The first third score is a 92.




At the midpoint (38 minutes) the flavors are changing again. You still have the sweet cedar but now you have those strawberry preserve-type notes that I've described in other cigars. They are quite sweet. The brown sugar and cinnamon really pop. There are now buttery notes in lieu of the thick cream or white chocolate that were in the previous segment. The leather and black coffee continue. The strength is still medium to full bodied. The finish is a buttery cream now. With the addition of strawberry notes the cigar holds it's previous 92 rating at the midpoint.




The cigar lasted 1 hour 20 minutes. The flavor notes continued just as they were at the midpoint; sweet cedar, strawberry preserves, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, leather, and black coffee. The black pepper increased as the cigar burned from the midpoint to the end. The lingering black pepper also increased on the finish. The finish flavors were unchanged. The cigar ended medium to full bodied. This cigar was right in my wheelhouse. I very much enjoyed the flavors and strength of this cigar. This is a great follow up to the La Flor De Ynclan. These should be on shelves now so look for them and give them a try. I think you'll like them. The final third score remains at a 92, which is also the overall score.


Overall Score: 92

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