Cuaba Divino - RAT ABR 20 (BCCRW)

[saltbox]

I spent the last ~year stocking up (excessively) on most marcas but Cuaba was one I did not. I hate waiting and figured that the risk-reward ratio for most of the marcas was pretty good for buying boxes of cigars I hadn't tried yet, but with Cuaba in particular the risk seemed high, so I only went in on the one box of Divinos. I've tried one from the box previously after 4 months of rest and have it in my notes as a 87/100. It's now been resting for about 6.5 months.

First third: opens with cream and cedar, but as the burn line gets past the perfecto foot some nice peanut butter nuttiness appears along with peppery spice. There's definitely a dry, tannic nature on the finish that seems unique to Cuaba that I haven't gotten from other vitolas, and it feels closer in line with some of the smoother non-Cuban cigars I've had.

Middle third: the peanut butter takes on a deeper roasted flavor, but that tannic finish is still going strong as well.

Last third: more of the same, but given the small vitola not expecting much evolution here.

Overall: not bad but really not the flavor profile I look for in Cuban cigars. It really does remind me of some of the smoother, lighter Nicaraguan puros that are so prevalent; the Warped Gran Reserva 1988 in particular comes to mind. Not bad but not exciting. 87/100