Protocol Probable Cause Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Cigar-Coop.com website)

Cubariqueño Cigar Company has announced a line extension to its Protocol Probable Cause line. A new 5 5/8 x 46 Corona Gorda will become the fourth vitola for the company’s maduro offering.

Protocol Probable Cause was the second blend released by Cubariqueño. The blend features a San Andres Maduro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. It was initially offered in Robusto and Churchill formats. Last year, the company added a lancero line extension, and now this year comes the Corona Gorda. As with all Cubariqueño releases, the cigar is produced at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona factory.

The Protocol Probable Cause Corona Gorda will be presented in 10-count boxes priced at $97.90.

Blend Profile

Wrapper: San Andres Maduro

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Country of Origin: Nicaragua (La Zona SA)

Vitolas Available

Corona Gorda: 5 5/8 x 46 REVIEWED TODAY

Robusto: 5 x 52

Churchill: 6 1/2 x 48

Lancero: 7 1/2 38

The cigar is very dark. The wrapper appears to be very coarse. The cigar has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was very good. The initial flavors were a sweet orange citrus but it had a lot of company. There were a lot of sweet dark chocolate notes and a fudge-like characteristic. There were also sweet almond butter notes which I did not get with the lancero or churchill. There were minor amounts of brown sugar and nice cinnamon notes. There were also large dark coffee notes. And there were black pepper notes which I rated at a 7 1/2. The cigar is very dark noted. 

The first third (25 minutes) had a burn issue, as you can see in the photo. The flavors are very much like they were initially; sweet, juicy orange citrus with sweet dark chocolate, large amounts of black coffee, almond butter notes, cinnamon, and a touch of brown sugar. The pepper is still very good. The finish is one of light chocolate and cream with some nice lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied leaning slightly toward medium to full. The first third was rated at a 93.

At the second third (42 minutes) the flavors are about like they were before but now I get a presence of caramel also. The almond butter flavor is still there but it seems to be decreasing. The pepper remains very good. The finish is also taking on a caramel and cream flavor. The lingering black pepper is still good. The cigar has jumped to full bodied from the first third. The flavors are very good; sweet orange citrus with sweet dark chocolate, caramel, cinnamon, black coffee, and a touch of almond butter. For the second third I held the score of 93.

The cigar lasted 54 minutes. The black coffee and dark chocolates came out a little more in the final third taking away some of the citrus sweetness. The almond butter seemed to fade and there were still light caramel notes. The cigar is full bodied. The black pepper remained very good and the finish was unchanged. The final third was rated at a 92.

Overall Score: 93 (92.67)