Cuaba Exclusivos

[jacksfull]

Had my first Cuaba last night. It was an Exclusivos. I don't know the production date as I bought it in a 5-pack. There did not seem to be a lot of age on it, but neither did it exhibit any drawbacks of youth. I'll take a leap and guess that these are not going to benefit particularly from extensive aging anyway.

The wrapper was beautiful, smooth and silky colorado claro with very few veins. Initial impressions were excellent. Sweet pre-light taste... and what a cool shape, like a 1930's comic book rocketship!

First 1/3 was very slow opening, mostly due to the very small foot of this perfecto. I'd read similar comments on other reviews and was expecting this. I did not want to mess with my first one, but I think in the future I'd cut back the foot just a little before lighting. Anyway, once past the nose-cone, things really started opening up... sweet caramel notes over a woody backdrop. Ash held for the full first third. The burn had a few hiccups at first requiring a couple of touch-ups to get it going straight (again, mainly due to the compressed foot), but was razor sharp once turning the corner into the meatier section of the body.

Second 1/3 brought a touch of cinnamon, coffee and cream. The milk coffee notes may have been there all along, but I'd not picked up on it until now. I was sipping a frozen cappuccino with it at first, but found the drink overpowering for this cigar and had to put it aside. The frappé may have influenced just how light the cigar came off in it's initial stages, but it's definitely not a powerhouse. Next time I'll select water or tea. I don't think this cigar will hold up well with whiskey or beer... maybe white wine, but I would fear masking this cigar's sweeter notes.

Final 1/3 started with a little bitterness. I put it down long enough that it went out. Clipped a little off the head to remove concentrated tars (had also become too wet for my tastes), and proceeded to relight. I know a lot of experts would have advised that this cigar had signaled it was time to put it down for good, but such was not the case. On relighting I was rewarded with the most intense flavors of black coffee with honey... any bitterness gone. I had to skewer the nub on a toothpick like an hors d'oeuvre because I simply could not put it down. Literally smoked it down to 1/2".

Overall impression was very good. I think the Exclusivos would make a great after-brunch or midday smoke. I was not expecting such a light start, nor such an intense end. Nevertheless, I'd read tasting notes about this being a spicy cigar, but even among the most concentrated part I never picked up any spiciness at all. Smooth is the word... not a touch of harshness anywhere in sight with this fellow.

Hard to say after just one, but I would not necessarily consider the Exclusivos something I'd put into regular rotation... just a little too light for me for the first 2/3's. However, I will definitely keep a few on-hand for special situations. The Exclusivos is like a tool for a specific job. You'll be happy it's in your toolbox when you need it, but you don't expect to use it all the time.

I've heard that the little Cuaba Divinos delivers more intensity from the start and I'm anxious to try one of those as my next venture into this unusual marca. As a matter of fact, I'd like to try them all... maybe add a complete set of Cuaba drill-bits to my toolbox/humidor so I have just the right size for the job... when I need one!

(sorry, I forgot to take pics... wasn't really expecting to review the first one)

[MontrealRon]

Excellent review of a cigar that has been as divisive on this forum,

and as partisan, as US politics!

I'm one of those, probably in the minority, that really likes it.

While I have not tried recent examples, my two boxes of '01s, bought fresh,

have been consistantly good, and are still getting better.

And I love the shape.

For me, the Exclusivo is the perfect size for a perfecto,

and the blend suits the size and shape perfectly.

[cigaraholic]

Great review..............of a great cigar.

Any size Cuaba can deliver all the intensity you'll ever want, it's one of many brands that varies a great deal from box to box. They can be medium bodied with coffee, cream and spice or they can be monsters.

These Exclusivos from 06 are full belly smokes, otherwise sit down and hang on.

[mazolaman]

I also enjoy these.

Like the divinos too.

The main roblem with these is the variability,my last box of divinos had so many plugged in it!

I like the spice of both these cigars,particularly the divinos.

The salomones is also great,but milder.