Villiger 1888 Nicaragua Toro (6 x 50)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

Last year, Villiger released a new Nicaraguan-made version of its 1888 brand for the German and Swiss markets. Now, that cigar is set to come to America.

At this summer’s 2023 PCA Convention & Trade Show, Villiger Cigars North America will begin selling the Villiger 1888 Nicaragua. Blend-wise, the cigar uses an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and fillers from Nicaragua and Pennslyvania. The line is produced at Villiger de Nicaragua, the company’s factory in Nicaragua, which is run in partnership with Joya de Nicaragua.

It is offered in three sizes:

Villiger 1888 Nicaragua Coronita (5 3/4 x 43) — $8 (Box of 20, $160)

Villiger 1888 Nicaragua Robusto (5 x 50) — $8.80 (Box of 20, $176)

Villiger 1888 Nicaragua Toro (6 x 50) — $9.20 (Box of 20, $184) REVIEWED TODAY

The cigar is well made and has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were citrus with underlying cherry, light cinnamon, a lot of nutmeg, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 to 7 1/2. 

At the first third (28 minutes) the cherry note has morphed into more of strawberry. So the notes now are citrus, strawberry, light cinnamon, quite a bit of earthy nutmeg, and black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is strawberry and nutmeg with good lingering black pepper. The earthy nutmeg is a big distraction. The front end sweet flavors are ok but they're not grabbing me. I rated the first third 91.

Moving through the second third (56 minutes) the earthy nutmeg and black coffee have risen. In the first third I spoke about how they were a distraction and even more so now. The sweet notes are very downplayed. The cigar is medium bodied, leaning toward medium to full. The finish is unchanged. The cigar is moving away from me. I rated the second third 88.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 24 minutes. The cigar made a bounce back. The earthy nutmeg decreased The black coffee is still there but that gives it a nice base. I still had pretty good citrus, strawberry, and light cinnamon notes. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The sweet notes are much more apparent and the black coffee makes a nice base. I rated the final third 91.

Overall Score: 90