JC Newman

April 18, 2020

Viaje Oro Reserva VOR No. 5 (5 1/2 x 52)
















Video review HERE.



(Description taken from Cigaraficionado.com website)
When the Viaje Oro Reserva VOR No. 5 received a 95-point rating and was named the No. 2 cigar of 2010, even the most ardent cigar enthusiasts had never heard of the brand. Ten years later, after many new releases that have solidified Viaje in the industry, owner Andre Farkas is re-releasing the cigar that helped put him on the map.

On the way now to authorized Viaje retailers across the country are 500 boxes of the 5 1/2 inch by 52 ring gauge Viaje Oro Reserva VOR No. 5s. According to Farkas, the re-released cigars are the same blend as the original, but with tobacco from a different vintage. Additionally, this new batch of No. 5s are covered in gold foil to mark the 10th anniversary of his Top 25 debut.

The all-Nicaraguan, box-pressed cigars come packed in 25-count boxes, with each cigar carrying a retail price of $10.80. The re-release smokes were also rolled at the original factory, Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L. in Honduras.



The cigar is packaged in a gold foil outer wrapping. The cigar is nicely made and has a nice feel in the hand. It is also box pressed.





The test draw after cutting the cap was very good even with the closed foot. The initial flavors at light up were a slightly tangy cedar, a little brown sugar and cinnamon, thick, heavy cream, a thick nutmeg, hints of leather, and black coffee at the base. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2 to 8 initially. 




At the first third (25 minutes) the cigar settled down somewhat. The flavors are now cedar with just a touch of tangy notes, brown sugar, dash of cinnamon, a thick nutmeg, lots of leather, and black coffee. I don't have the thick cream any longer. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is one of roasted pecans, nutmeg, and black coffee with average lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 93.




Moving through the second third (50 minutes) the cigar is turning darker. The notes are now cedar with no tangy notes, some brown sugar, dash of cinnamon, large amounts of nutmeg and leather, and an elevated black coffee base. The sweeter notes are dwarfed by the darker notes. The cigar is now full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The cigar is not overly sweet at this point. The cigar took a turn downward to me. I rated the second third at 91.




The cigar lasted 1 hour 16 minutes. It also kept on the same trajectory. The darker notes increased more. There are only hints of cedar, no brown sugar or cinnamon, heavy nutmeg, heavy leather, heavy black coffee. There is little to no sweetness at this point. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is nutmeg and black coffee with decent lingering black pepper. The cigar started nicely but turned quite dark. I lowered the final third score to 88.


Overall Score: 90.67

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