Video review HERE.
(Description taken from Cigar-coop.com website)
The Reinado Grand Apex Reserve marked the rebirth of boutique cigar company Reinado Cigars. If you were following the boutique cigar scene from 2010 to 2014, chances are Reinado Cigars was on your radar. Reinado Cigars was founded by Antonio Lam, and his cigar line quickly built a strong following. He partnered with Agros Tabacos Industriales factory in Nicaragua to handle his production. Cigars such as the Reinado, Reinado Grand Empire Reserve, and Reinado Grand Empire Reserve Ecuador Edition were his best-known releases. A few years ago, Lam needed to step away from the cigar industry and the brand went on hiatus. But in 2021 Lam came back with the new Grand Apex Reserve line, and a new manufacturing partner, Aganorsa Leaf. Today we take a closer look at the Reinado Grand Apex Reserve in the Toro size.
Lam has said the launch of the Grand Apex Reserve is the first of many projects he has planned. However, his restart has begun at a controlled pace. The Robusto Extra size of the Reinado Grand Apex Reserve was the first cigar launched when Lam made his comeback. As a part of the comeback, he is donating a portion of all sales to the Dementia Society of America as Lam has personally seen the devastating effects of dementia with his father.
Blend and Origin
Back when Lam launched the line, he was known for his Nicaraguan puros with the Reinado and Grand Empire Reserve lines. For the Reinado Grand Apex Reserve, Lam goes with a San Andres Mexican maduro wrapper. This is a wrapper that Aganorsa Leaf works very well with. The remainder of the blend consists of Nicaraguan tobaccos grown on the Aganorsa Leaf farms.
Wrapper: San Andres Mexican
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa (TABSA)
Vitolas Offered
Following the release of the Reinado Grand Apex Reserve Robusto Extra, a Gordo size was added. The Robusto Extra is presented in 20-count boxes while the Gordo size comes in 15-count boxes.
Gordo: 6 x 60
Robusto Extra: 5 1/2 x 52 REVIEWED TODAY
The cigar is a dark brown but as dark as many maduros I've seen. It has an average feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were citrus peel, brown sugar, and earthy black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 8. Even without actual citrus notes the citrus peel and brown sugar are quite nice.
At the first third (31 minutes) I had light leather notes in the mix. Otherwise the flavor notes are about the same; citrus peel, brown sugar, and earthy black coffee with light leather. The black pepper is still good but probably not an 8. I'd put it at 7 1/2. The finish is leather and black coffee with good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. The cigar is quite dark and sweetness. I'd like a little more sweetness. I rated the first third 92.
Moving through the second third (57 minutes) the cigar took a big turn toward darkness. The leather is still rather light but there is quite a bit of earthy black coffee. There are only hints of citrus peel and brown sugar. The cigar is now medium to full bodied. The finish is leather and black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is way too dark with too little sweetness for me. I rated the second third 88.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 16 minutes. The dark notes continued to increase. The front end flavors were leather and earthy black coffee with a little cedar at the tail end. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is leather and black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar went dark. I ned sweetness with darkness. I rated the final third 85.
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