JC Newman

August 28, 2022

Knuckle Sandwich Chef’s Special (6 1/2 x 52 box-pressed Figurado)





Video review HERE.


(Description taken from Cigar-coop.com website)

Guy Fieri, along with Espinosa Cigars, introduced a new addition to their Knuckle Sandwich line, the Knuckle Sandwich Chef’s Special at the 2022 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show.

The Knuckle Sandwich Chef’s Special is a limited edition project with a total of 2,500 ten-count boxes produced. The cigar is a 6 1/2 x 52 box-pressed Figurado with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers. Production comes from the San Lotano Factory in Ocotal, Nicaragua. Pricing is set at $15.00 per cigar or $150.00 per box.

Both Espinosa Cigars President Erik Espinosa and Director of Operations Hector Alfonso cited the huge success of the regular production Knuckle Sandwich cigars as the inspiration behind the Chef’s Edition.


Blend and Origin

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Factory: San Lotano


Vitolas Offered

Figurado: 6 1/2 x 52 (Box Pressed)


The cigar is very well made and quite beautiful. It has a nice feel in the hand.




The test draw after cutting the cap was ok considering the small opening at the foot. The initial flavors at light up were citrus, citrus peel, cedar, brown sugar, and leather. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. It takes about 4 minutes for the cigar to settle down to get these flavors.



At the first third (25 minutes) the ash was still intact. I had more citrus peel at this point but I also had hints of toffee and increased sweetness of honey. I still had the citrus and cedar notes but the citrus peel is the lead flavor of those 3. The sweet notes are a little ahead of the leather, which was a little ahead of the sweet notes at light up. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is light citrus peel, honey, and leather with average lingering black pepper. The cigar is making some changes which is nice to see. I rated the first third 93.




As I moved through the second third (51 minutes) I no longer had the cedar notes but I now have black coffee at the base, which helped the base and works nicely with the leather. I still had citrus, citrus peel, light honey, light toffee, leather, and black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is very light toffee and leather with good lingering black pepper. I held 93 for the second third.




The cigar lasted 1 hour 8 minutes. The black coffee increased in the final third. The notes are citrus, citrus peel, light honey, hints of toffee, leather, and black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged with good lingering black pepper. The black coffee got a little too elevated causing me to drop the final third score to 92. Still a good cigar. Definitely worth a try.




Overall Score: 92.67

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