Herrera Esteli Norteno Toro (6 x 52)

Video review HERE.

Herrera Esteli Norteno blend showcases extensively aged tobaccos from the Esteli, and Jalapa growing regions of Nicaragua, coupled with a spicy Honduran Binder, and a rich, bold Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper in the following core vitolas:

Herrera Esteli Norteno

Robusto Grande 5 ¼ x 54

MSRP $227.94/ Box of 25

Herrera Esteli Norteno Toro Especial 6 x 52 REVIEWED TODAY

MSRP $241.94/ Box of 25

Herrera Esteli Norteno Lonsdale 6 x 44

MSRP $231.94/Box of 25

Herrera Esteli Norteno Piramide Fino 5 x 50

MSRP $269.94/ Box of 25

Herrera Esteli NortenoShort Corona Gorda 5 7/8 x 46 

MSRP $203.94/ Box of 25

Blend info:

Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés maduro

Binder: Honduran

Filler: Nicaraguan (Esteli and Jalapa)

The cigar is very dark and well made. The wrapper is not oily and appears to be coarse.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were orange citrus, quite a bit of caramel, brown sugar, and cinnamon, sweet dark chocolate, and a full flavored, deep black coffee. There was a nice amount of black pepper which I rated at 7 1/2 to 8. At the outset I did not detect any nutmeg in the mix.

At the first third (34 minutes) the flavors continue to improve and pop. The orange citrus is very sweet and tangy. The brown sugar, cinnamon, and caramel have increased. I now have a thread of nutmeg and leather. Not much but detectable in the mix. The dark chocolate continues to be very sweet and dark. The black coffee is full bodied dark roast. The black pepper seems to be increasing. The finish has citrus, caramel, and nutmeg with a nice amount of lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium to full bodied. This type of maduro has what I like; high pitched sweeter flavors, lower level sweeter flavors, and plenty of dark notes. The cigar is rather balanced at this point. For the first third I rated the cigar at 94. 

At the second third (1 hour 13 minutes) the nutmeg rose considerably. So much it took away some of the sweeter notes. Everything is still there but now it's watered down by the nutmeg. The cigar is close to full bodied. The finish also has more nutmeg now along with the other flavors of citrus and caramel. For the second third I dropped the score to 92.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 42 minutes. A very nice burn time. In the final third the sweetness came back somewhat. The nutmeg toned down but the black coffee became elevated which also took away from the sweetness. So, it's basically a wash. The cigar is full bodied and the finish is basically unchanged. This is a good dark noted cigar. For the final third I held the score of 92. These should be available anywhere that handles Drew Estate but you can also purchase them HERE.

Overall Score: 92.67