Today we offer the Stogie Press Rough Cut cigar review notes on the Gran Habano La Conquista Pre-Lanzamiento 2016. This cigar is a pre-release version of what’s to come, in fact the phrase “Pre-Lanzamiento” translates to “launching” so this is the pre-launch of the cigar. I was told that band may not be the official band of the cigar and even the name might change, but hey, I like the band, I think George Rico should stay with the design if he keeps the name. I received samples from George and Natasha Rico and want to say thank you for the opportunity to review it. I received them back in May of this year and the first one I smoked was not ready for review so I let them sit for a couple of months. So today I provide you the notes on this terrific addition to the Gran Habano lineup.
The Gran Habano La Conquista is to be available in 3 vitolas:
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Robusto – 5 x 52
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Gran Robusto – 6 x 54
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Imperial – 6 x 60
According the info I received from Gran Habano the blend is:
- Wrapper:Nicaraguan
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan, Costa Rican, & Colombian
For this review I sampled the Gran Robusto.
Cigar Review Notes
- Band is quite interesting but it declares itself as Pre-Lanzamiento (Pre-Launch) 2016
- Waxy coffee bean brown wrapper with some marbling
- A few noticeable veins
- Some nice dark leaf visible in the foot
- Has a sweet aroma on the foot and some spiciness along barrel
- Very well capped
- Cold draw has some red pepper to it and and earth
- Initial puffs bring on pepper and cocoa
- Terrific draw – full volume of smoke
- Develops a medium-thick char line
- Sweetness finds itself early in the burn
- Black cherry and leather add to the sweetness
- Flavors are wrapped in a creamy thick smoke
- Ultra smooth retro hale
- I really enjoy this early flavor profile
- The cold draw pepper is surprisingly hidden so far in the first third
- Solid medium grey ash with minimal flake
- A softness in the barrel is felt after the first inch of burn
- Aroma is spicy nut
- The wrapper starts to develop an oily sheen as it heats up
- Ash falls after a good inch plus of burn, revealing a dark charcoal inner core
- Not much of a burn cone
- Draw tightens up slightly start of second third as it nears the soft spot on the barrel
- Burn is developing a bit of a wave
- Spice and oak enter with a cherry background
- Volume picks up after the softness
- Spice builds at the end of the second third taking over the cherry
- Spice remains through the final third down tot he nub
Gran Habano La Conquista