Espinosa Habano No. 4 (5 1/2 x 50)

Video review HERE.

First unveiled at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers trade show this year, the new Espinosa Habano features a modified blend, new packaging and new band artwork. Two of the cigar sizes, as well as the overall vitola count, have also been adjusted.

"We tweaked the blend and streamlined the design of the band and packaging," Jimenez said. "The vitolas have changed and have been streamlined to three offerings."

The cigar features Nicaraguan filler and binder tobaccos over an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper. Once offered in four sizes, the line has been reduced to three: No. 4, which measures 5 1/2 inches by 50 ring gauge; No. 5, at 6 by 52; and No. 8, at 6 1/8 by 58. The cigars retail from $6.75 to $7.50. "The No. 4 and No. 8 are new sizes in the line. We reduced the ring gauges in order to taste more of the rich Habano wrapper."

The cigars come in boxes of 20.

Wrapper: Ecuadoran Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

The cigar has an average feel in the hand and is well made.

The test draw after cutting the cap was a touch firm. The initial flavors were dry roasted almonds, boysenberry with a high pitched sweetness of citrus, light coffee, and black pepper rated at a 7 1/2. The dry roasted nuts are very prominent.

1 1/2 inches in the flavors are changing. The dry roasted nuts continue to lead but now you have a sweet orange citrus with brown sugar and a touch of butter. The pepper seems to be increasing. The finish is a sweet cream with a touch of citrus and some lingering pepper. The cigar is medium bodied at this point.

At the midpoint the flavors have changed again. I now get an apricot type flavor with brown sugar. The roasted nuts continue to be prominent. The finish is now a toasted cream. The cigar is still medium bodied. The pepper continues to improve on the front end primarily. I would rate it at an 8+.

Here at the end the brown sugar is the lead flavor. The apricot flavor is overwhealmed by the massive amount of brown sugar. The roasted nuts actually toned down from the midpoint onward. The pepper continued to move up on the front end and on the finish. The cigar ended at medium to full bodied. The cigar made several twists and turns. To me, it was the best from the midpoint onward. 

Score: 91