Espinosa 20th Anniversary (6 x 46 Corona Larga)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Cigar-Coop.com website)

At the 2018 IPCPR Trade Show, Espinosa Cigars showcased the Erik Espinosa 20th Anniversary Cigar. It’s a cigar that pays homage to company owner Erik Espinosa’s 20 years in the cigar industry.

The blend to the Erik Espinosa 20th Anniversary consists of a Habano Rosado wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. The cigar is available in one size – a 6 x 46 Corona Larga. The cigars are presented in 20-count boxes and production is limited to 500 boxes.

Prior to launching Espinosa Premium Cigars and becoming an owner in the La Zona factory, Espinosa was a partner in EO Brands with Eddie Ortega. He also worked on the sales end of the cigar business for many years.

Blend Profile

Wrapper: Habano Rosado

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler; Nicaraguan

Country of Origin: Nicaragua (La Zona)

Vitolas Available

Corona Larga: 6 x 46

The cigar has a shiny chrome band with black lettering. It looks nice. There is also a gray cloth band at the foot. The cigar has an average feel in the hand for a corona larga.

The cap is finished with a small pigtail.

 The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were pink grapefruit and caramel as your primary flavors. But, they are just about dwarfed by the massive amount of black pepper. I rated the black pepper initially at 8 1/2. When you retro hale you might say the black pepper is a 10! It's (again) massive! As you know, I like black pepper. So, that's the way the cigar starts.




At the first third (26 minutes) the cigar has settled down nicely. The flavors now are dry cedar, caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a black coffee base. The pepper has actually toned down quite a bit to around a 7 to 7 1/2. There are hints of graham cracker on the front end but I really get them on the finish. Along with the graham cracker I also get caramel and nutmeg. There is quite a bit of lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium to full bodied at this point. The cigar is very good at this point. It's right in my alley; dead center. I rate the first third at a 94.




At the end of the second third (52 minutes) I am still waiting on the graham cracker to increase on the front end. As of now it has not. I still get it on the finish, however. The nutmeg is very creamy which gives the cigar a smooth flavor. There is still a lot of sweetness coming from the caramel notes. The cedar is still a dry type cedar. There is also a lot of caramel on the finish making it very pleasing. The finish also has graham cracker and nutmeg and a nice amount of lingering black pepper. The cigar is full bodied now. The cigar remains very good but with the graham cracker notes not increasing as I had hoped I am lowering the second third score to a 93. Still a very good cigar.




The cigar lasted 1 hour 13 minutes. In the final third the cigar seemed to lose some it's appeal. While you still had the main flavors; dry cedar, caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and black coffee, it seemed to taste quite ordinary instead of extraordinary, as it was in the first third. The cigar is still full bodied and the finish is unchanged. Overall I enjoyed this cigar a lot but the final third took away from the overall experience somewhat. I rated the final third at 91.  But, overall the cigar scores out at 93 and I believe that's appropriate. Don't let the final third sway you from trying this fine cigar.

Overall Score: 93 (92.67)