Cigar Geeks - Drew Estate Herrera Esteli Norteno Belicoso Fino

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Drew Estate Herrera Esteli Norteno Belicoso Fino
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Byron (Beegerply)

92
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique. This one has been generously sponsored by our member 05Venturer (Kent). The cigar provided for this round is the http://www.cigargeeks.com/cigardb/default.asp?action=showcig&cigar_id=89652">Drew Estate Herrera Esteli Norteno Belicoso Fino.

Herrera Esteli Norteño was the first blend released from the Drew Estate factory after Willy Herrera was named Master Blender in June, 2014. A sequel of sorts to the popular Herrera Esteli cigar, which earned a spot in 2013's Top 25 Cigars of the Year, the "Norteño" showcases extensively aged tobaccos from the Estelí and Jalapa growing regions of Nicaragua, coupled with a spicy Honduran binder and a rich, bold Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper, offering medium to full body and strength. The band design features the Guardabarranco, the national bird of Nicaragua, the country where the cigar is produced.

Drew Estate Herrera Esteli Norteno Belicoso Fino

Brand:: Drew Estate
Name:: Herrera Esteli Norteno Belicoso Fino
Length:: 5
Ring Gauge:: 50
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Nicaragua
Binder:: Honduras
Wrapper:: Mexico
Color:: Maduro
Strength:: Medium-Full
Shape:: Torpedo
Average Member Purchase Price:: $8.17
Average Member Rating:: (8 Review(s))
Notes:: http://halfwheel.com/herrera-esteli-norteno-sizes-finalized/52397

This cigar was enjoyed with Water

Pre-Light: 10 Points of 10 Possible

Medium brown in color. Very few seams. The cigar was dry looking and bit rough, nice bunching at the foot. Box pressed. Slight grassy smell or hay. Pre-draw flavor of a sweet hay. No restrictions, cap cut cleanly.

Lighting and Burn: 12 Points of 15 Possible

On the initial light up it produced a nice volume of smoke. The burn was wavy but did not need correction at this time. The draw on this cigar was slightly restricted. The ash was stacked and had a salt and pepper coloring to it. There were no touch-ups needed or relights for this cigar.

Construction: 28 Points of 30 Possible

The overall construction was very good. No soft spots. Very little seams were noticeable. The cap was well applied and did not crack on cutting. After light up, the draw was a bit restricted but not much.

Flavor and Aroma: 42 Points of 45 Possible

Opening third started out with the peppery taste and a slight burn on retro. There was a bit of cedar and oak. Notes of leather some earthiness with more of an oak taste. The ash held for about 3/4 of an inch until I tapped it leaving a nice cone on the end. The second third of the cigar stayed pretty much the same as the first third. However, there was a slight hint of coffee and a slight bitterness but was not offensive.

Last third: not much happening on a third last third. The cigar got soft and was medium in body.

Summary

Overall: The cigar was a pleasure to smoke with the the earthiness coming or being the predominant flavor. I would like to thank Kent for allowing me to do this review. Definitely a cigar that I would have in my humidor. Smoke time about 70 minutes.