Corona Chair-holder's Review: Esteban Carreras

Size:           7x54 Churchill
Wrapper:   Connecticut
Binder:       Dominican
Filler:          Dominican and Nicaraguan blend
Notes:        An elegant mild creamy and toasty smoke that turns woody toward the finish.  It draws well and burns even with a grayish ash that holds steady.

I was introduced to Esteban cigars at Sue's Coffee House in St. Clair, Michigan - another jewel of Michigan Cigar places bordering across Canada on the St. Clair River - where I appreciate their lines from the early 1961, Cuban Semilla, and 187 to my favorite, the 10 Anos.  The Carerra Connecticut has always been one of my favorites because of it's incredible creamy and smooth taste from start to finish.  It paired well with my coffee while reading WSJ.  The price is right (at The Corona Smokeshop in Okemos) at about $8.00.

I feel that Esteban has been grossly overlooked by many of my cigar colleagues who occasionally enjoy the smoke and especially the price which range from $5.50 to $11.75.   What little they know is that Esteban has been one of the few originators and producers in Estelli, Nicaragua.  The cigars are always beautifully constructed and aged beyond their release.  This is particularly true to all of the Connecticut vitolas.  Most recently they released the Esteban Connecticut 12 year old (a red sub-band).These age well in humidors and I found that "overlooked" cigars like this Connecticut 12 is most likely aged waiting for that someone to enjoy a rich, smooth smoke.

Corona Chair-Holder's Review: Curivari Reserva Limitada 4000 Belicoso

Size:          6.25x54 Belicoso
Wrapper:  Nicaraguan authentic cuban seed
                Criollo & Corojo
Binder:      Nicaraguan
Filler:        Nicaraguan
Notes:      Roasted Dark Coffee, pepper with hint of
                molasses and Blackberry

This Nicaragua Puro caught my eye a few years ago on the shelf at the Corona Smokeshop in Okemos because of the beautiful construction of the dark Colorado wrapper with a classy and simple gold embossed white label.  When I picked up the cigar I was impressed with the solid, slightly course feel with veins dispersed and a well capped bind.  The smell was incredible.

At first light, already the full body hits you like a freight train:  pepper and roasted coffee was very apparent along with a trail of blackberry.  The cigar had an even burn with a nice gray ash.  Toward the second third, the flavor of coffee and pepper intensifies, yet becomes consistently smooth toward the last third..  What I find remarkable about this cigar -no harsh aftertaste and the right balance of spice and sweet like pepper and molasses.  The Reserva Limitada is my favorite of all the Curivari lines:  Classica's red label, Cafe's brown label and the Gloria de Leon).  The Reserva comes in different sizes from the 1000, 2000, 3000 and of course the 4000 which sells at $7.50 at the Corona.

I have several sticks in my humidor for aging.  I've had this one for about a year before surrendering to the smoking gods while paring with an espresso.  A great way to start the weekend!

Corona Chair-Holder's Review: Torano Salutem Master Series LFC

Size:             4.25x60
Wrapper:      Ecuador
Binder:          Nicaraguan Jalapa
Filler:            Mix of Cameroon, Dominican Corojo and
                     an Esteli blend from Nicaragua.
Notes:          Sweet, spicy full bodied with chocolate,
                   cedar and some black pepper notes.

The Master by Carlos Torano is a cigar blended by Charlie Torano and Cuban master blender Felipe Sosa. The cigar combines a Nicaraguan Jalapa binder, filler tobaccos which includes Nicaraguan Estelli, with a mix of Cameroon, Dominican Corojo, and a Habano wrapper from Ecuador. 

A good, even burn with light gray ash, I found this short stout (which is their LFC Series) soft to the touch showing some veins which indicates it's well constructed.  From the pre-light, smoke was plentiful and tasted some spice, pepper and cedar. Toward the middle of the stick, the flavors become pronounced with chocolate, floral and earthiness are prevalant.  At the last stage, a full sweet spice returns leaving some on the tongue.  Overall, it's a rich, full flavor expected from these blends.

Iced latte or coffee pairs well with this nice short stick which is available at The Corona Smoke Shop for $6.00.

Corona Chair-Holder's Review - CLE Corojo 11/18

Size:           6x48x54x48
Wrapper:   Honduran
Binder:       Honduran
Filler:         Honduran Corojo
Notes:       Grassy, dried cherries and mild spice with some hint of woody cocoa.


This stick, one of Christian Eiroa's creation from his own company, is a Honduran Puro featuring Corojo tobacco which is grown and produced at Tobacos Ranchos Jamastran.

The Handsome shape -a classical figurado with a 48 gauge at both ends and a solid 54 gauge in the middle, has a smooth, beautiful solid Colorado Maduro and is called 11/18 in honor of Christian's mother's birthday.  Strong smoke is prevalent and has an even burn with solid dark gray ash.

I find this to be a good medium flavor with light spice and wood intensifying at the 2nd and 3rd phase of the smoke. You will find that the CLE Corojo 11/18 stick will soften to the touch when you approach the middle .The CLE, a good medium body, is one of the three lines based on strength (Asylum -Full-Bodied; Wynnwood - Mild and smooth body).  Having smoked the Asylum vitolas, I find that the CLE is a pleasant smoke for those who like to take a break from their full-body cigars, but not compromise the demand for a complex flavor mix.  You get a lot of smoke mileage for about $7 (only at the Corona Smoke Shop in Okemos)