Video review HERE.
(Description taken from Cigar-Coop.com website)
Add Trinidad to the list of classic brands AJ Fernandez has developed blends for. Altadis U.S.A. is once again partnering with Fernandez, this time on the Trinidad Espiritu. It’s a release that coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Trinidad brand and also celebrates vintage Caribbean culture.
“The original Trinidad cigar brand was used exclusively for dignitaries and diplomats as gifts,” explains Brad Winstead, Altadis’ head of consumer marketing in a press release. “Fifty years later, we’re celebrating the venerable brand’s half-century anniversary by taking adult smokers back to the late 60s-early 70s era — which many consider the “Golden Years” of cigars.”
The cigar itself is a Nicaraguan puro. It is available in four sizes (Robusto, Toro, Belicoso, and Magnum) plus one event-only size (a Fundador Lancero). The event-only size will be a part of a series of nationwide events with a retro-Latin Caribbean theme.
“It has been an honor pay tribute to our Latin Caribbean heritage and to work closely with Master Blender AJ Fernandez on this project,” said Rafael Nodal, head of product capability for Tabacalera USA. “The Trinidad Espiritu is a cigar to please the palate and speak to your soul. This is a celebration of tobacco, music and all things Latin Caribbean.”
The cigars are packaged in 20-count boxes reflecting a vintage Latin Caribbean theme. The cigar is officially called Series No. 1. Cigar Aficionado is reporting the No. 1 represents that the Espiritu will be part of a three-part series.
Blend and Origin
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez
Robusto: 5 x 52
Toro: 6 x 52 REVIEWED TODAY
Belicoso: 6 1/8 x 52
Magnum: 6 x 60
Fundador: 7 1/2 x 40 (Event Only)
The cigar is well made and has a nice feel in the hand. The Caribbean theme colors in the band are very nice.
The test draw after cutting the cap was a bit firm but workable. The initial flavors at light up were a sweet, tangy, and tart grapefruit citrus with cedar, underlying caramel notes, brown sugar and some cinnamon notes, quite a bit of a dry nutmeg, fresh leather notes, and a black coffee base. There was black pepper noted at a 7 rating.
At the first third (26 minutes) the cedar really came out as the foremost lead flavor. The grapefruit flavor is secondary. There is quite a bit of the dry nutmeg mixing with the lead flavors giving the cigar a unique flavor. There are still nice brown sugar and cinnamon notes, light caramel notes, and below average leather notes. The leather is noticed all through the flavor pattern but not in large amounts at this point. There is a nice black coffee base. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is nutmeg, leather, and just a little of the grapefruit citrus flavor. There is decent lingering black pepper but nothing amazing. The flavors in this cigar are rather unique and different but pleasing. I rated the first third at 92.
As I moved through the second third (1 hour 3 minutes) the grapefruit notes really came out...again. They combine with the nutmeg, leather, and elevated cinnamon notes to make a metallic-like flavor that is actually very nice. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The cigar is still very enjoyable and different in overall flavors than most other cigars. I held the previous score of 92 for the second third.
The Espiritu toro lasted an impressive 1 hour 37 minutes. In the final third the coffee and leather notes rose greatly. The nutmeg was still in the mix. There were no caramel notes and the overall sweetness was decreased. There are still faint notes of grapefruit citrus. The finish is leather, nutmeg, and just a hint of the grapefruit notes. The lingering black pepper is not bad but not very high. The cigar has turned very dark and the sweetness has suffered. The cigar is still full bodied. Even with the cigar turning dark this has been an interesting cigar and one I could easily smoke again. But, with the highly elevated darker notes I lowered the final third score to 90. You can try these cigars by going HERE.
Overall Score: 91.33
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