Video review HERE.
(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)
The sixth and possibly final installment of Espinosa Premium Cigars’ Las 6 Provincias Series, the ORT, is on its way to stores today.
The cigar is named for Oriente, the easternmost of the country’s six original provinces, and it’s a a 6 x 56 box-pressed toro that uses an Ecuadorian habano wrapper and a Nicaraguan binder and filler. The blend was developed by Espinosa Premium Cigars and produced at the San Lotano Factory in Ocotal, Nicaragua.
“We are very proud of this series,” said Hector Alfonso, director of operations at Espinosa Premium Cigars, in an e-mail to halfwheel. “From the cigars to the individual packaging, the opportunity to showcase the Cuba of old, prior to that disastrous revolution, was very special to us.”
Espinosa launched the Las 6 Provincias Series in 2018. Each cigar is named for one of the original six provinces of Cuba and features artwork by Edin Gutierrez as well as distinct packaging that celebrates each province’s culture.
Oriente is no longer a province in Cuba, as in December 1976, the Cuban government reorganized the island into 14 provinces and what was called a special municipality. In 2010, a 15th province was added when the La Habana province, which did not include the city itself, was divided into Artemisa and Mayabeque. Today, the area that was once considered Oriente is the home of five provinces: Granma, Guantanamo, Holguín, Las Tunas and Santiago de Cuba.
The company has not gone on record as saying if the release of the ORT marks the end of the series, and there has been speculation that a seventh release could be added. The company has also not said if it might re-release the earlier releases.
The cigar is nicely made and box pressed. It has an average feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was very good. The initial flavors at light up were lime, apple, citrus peel, brown sugar, and leather. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2 to 8. A very good start.
At the first third (22 minutes) the cigar is burning very evenly. The notes are the same and they are working together very well. The leather is noticeable but rather light. The finish is leather with good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied but I think we will move up the scale. Go slow with this type of cigar. You will get all these nice notes that way. I really like this type of cigar. I rated the first third 95.
As I moved through the second third (1 hour 7 minutes) there was a little earthiness and a little more leather. The sweet notes are the same but dipped just a little. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is sweet with lime, apple, and brown sugar with a little leather at the base and very good lingering black pepper. The cigar continues to be very good. I rated the second third 94.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 37 minutes. The sweet notes jumped back up and the leather remained somewhat elevated but it made the cigar very balanced. Again, go slow. The notes are so nice. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. At points I got notes of red pepper. I noticed them at the end of the first third and during the second third but it wasn't enough to say much about but they were nice. This type of cigar checks a lot of boxes for me. I rated the final third 95. This is one of the best Las 6 Provincias cigars I've had. See what you think. Smallbatchcigar.com has these in boxes only but the box is a work or art in itself. Use code tinytim for 10% off.
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