Video review HERE.
(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)
Villiger has announced that it is moving production of its La Libertad line to its new Villiger de Nicaragua factory in Estelí as part of an update to the line that will debut later this year.
The cigar uses a Nicaragua criollo wrapper, a Dominican binder from the Cibao Valley, and Nicaragua fillers that include seco from Jalapa along with viso and ligero grown in Estelí. The company describes it as a medium-plus profile.
As part of the update to the line, it is being trimmed down to three vitolas:
Villiger La Libertad Corona (5 3/4 x 43)
Villiger La Libertad Robusto (5 x 52) REVIEWED TODAY
Villiger La Libertad Gran Toro (6 x 54)
All three of the sizes are offered in 20-count boxes, and while pricing for the U.S. has not yet been announced, in Europe they will be priced at 6.80 euro for the Corona, 7.80 euro for the Robusto and 8.50 euro for the Gran Toro.
As part of the update to the brand, the packaging is getting a new look though will keep the brand’s existing color scheme of red, black and white. Both the boxes and bands will be updated with what the company describes as a modern and bold design that will help it get the attention of consumers in the humidor. The band will feature a strong red tone that is framed by gold and black rings, while also adding a black foot band with gold rings. The company will keep the slogan “Viva La Libertad” as part of it branding.
The new La Libertad is scheduled to arrive in Germany, France and Switzerland in late summer, and will eventually be available in the United States and other parts of the world. Rene Castaneda told halfwheel he anticipates that it will arrive in the U.S. in November.
The line had previously been made in both Honduras by Plasencia and in the Dominican Republic at the ABAM Factory in Santo Domingo, and the line offered different blends for different markets under the same La Libertad line. The most recent update for the U.S. version was done in 2019, though it did not change the blend, which used a Brazilian wrapper and Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers.
The cigar is well made and very dark. It has a nice feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were orange citrus, cinnamon, sweet and somewhat buttery toffee, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at close to 8. Nice start.
At the first third (28 minutes) the cigar has a perfect burn line. The ash is still intact and very tight. I had the same flavor notes and the addition of honey making the cigar even sweeter. The black coffee stands out and is not weak keeping the cigar in balance. The finish is toffee and very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. I rated the first third 94.
Moving through the second third (1 hour) the same notes are in play and now there is a creamy nutmeg which seems to work well with the creamy toffee. But, it takes some of the ultra sweetness away. It didn't hurt the cigar much but it made an effect. The finish is toffee and it's somewhat buttery with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is still medium bodied which surprises me a little. The nutmeg didn't hurt the score much. I rated the second third 93.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 26 minutes. A fantastic burn time for a robusto. There was one ash in the ashtray next to me. The rest is still intact on the cigar. This is a well constructed cigar. The final third reverted back to exactly how the cigar was in the first third. The same great notes of orange citrus, cinnamon, toffee, and black coffee. The nutmeg seemed to fade away. The finish was unchanged. The black pepper is great. The cigar finished medium to full bodied. I rated the final third 94. This is a good cigar and of the three sizes this is my favorite.
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