It seems like only yesterday, but the 2019 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) trade show was a year ago. It was during that show, Luciano Meirelles got on stage and introduced the cigar world to a new cigar distribution company known as ACE Prime. The company also joined forces with Tabacalera Pichardo in Nicaragua to announce a number of new cigars.
One of the lines introduced at that show, was the Pichardo Reserva Familiar, which is offered in three different wrappers (Connecticut, San Andres, and Habano). Stogie Press previously reviewed the Pichardo Reserva Familiar San Andres back in January 2020.
As stated in the previous review, the company notes:
“This family of cigars (RESERVA FAMILIAR) is a labor of love and draws on the legacy of 150 years of generational mastery. These cigars are a tribute to the rich family history of one of the finest Master-Blenders in the world – Don. Eradio Pichardo.“
Today I offer a review of the Pichardo Reserva Familia Habano which has a blend described as:
- Wrapper – Nicaraguan Habano
- Binder – Nicaraguan Habano
- Filler – Nicaraguan & Dominican
The Pichardo Reserva Familiar Habano is expressed in a single (6 x 52) Toro vitola and comes packaged in 15-count boxes with an MSRP of $11.00/cigar.
For this review, I sampled 3 of these cigars, which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Pichardo Reserva Familiar Habano has a shiny, milk chocolate brown, wrapper that is light on veins and exhibits a smooth texture to the touch. The cigar is solidly packed and neatly finished with a well applied triple cap.
Two bands adorn this, as is the case for all three blends in the Reserva Familiar line. The primary uses a red, gold, and black motif. The name “PICHARDO” is proudly displayed on the bottom along with the the letter “P” printed in a gold shield above it. The back of the band denotes this as a Liga Privada. The secondary band is a footer band using a gold and black motif and identities the cigar as a “Reserva Familiar”. For those that don’t know, the term “Liga Privada” translates to “Private League” in English.
I ran the barrel across the nose and did not detect any pronounced aromas, but the foot exuded an enticing cocoa note that had me wanting to fire it up and start the journey.
Before I toasted the foot, I sliced the cap, straight across the shoulder, using my double blade Xikar cutter and proceeded to give it a few cold puffs. I noted the excellent restriction and draw along with the even more enticing notes of chocolate and raisin.
A few more cold puffs and it was time to warm the foot with my triple flame torch. Once glowing with an even burn, I drew in the first puffs of delicate natural tobacco sweetness on the palate along with a peppery spice on the retro-hale. Follow along as break this one down for you and turn the Pichardo Reserva Familiar Habano to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Delicate natural sweetness
- Peppery spice on the nose
- White ash forms on thin but jagged char line
- Nut enters the mix early in the burn
- Ash falls in a nice chunk revealing a decent burn cone
- Mild spice continues as does the sweetness
- Cream joins the profile with a growing cocoa note
- Smoke is thick, creamy in texture, and mouth filling
- Touch of cedar enters in the second third
- Cocoa recedes and the mild spice begins to build
- A pleasant nutty aroma fills the air around me
- Second ash drop revealed a slight inward burn
- Required a mild touch-up
- Earthy notes appear deep in the burn
- Finishes with earth and spice
- Medium strength
- Total Smoking Time was just shy of 2 hours!
Overall, I found the Pichardo Reserva Familiar Habano to be a pleasant and elegant cigar that had a medium body of delectable flavors and aromas. Starting with a natural sweetness, the flavors evolved and transitioned well. The burn was fine until deep in the second third where it started to burn inward. A mild touch-up corrected that and the burn was fine to the end. This is certainly worth picking up a fiver and it is one that any cigar enthusiast should enjoy. I rate this a 90.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wave in Burn, (-2) Slight Inward Burn in second third; (-1) Mild Touch-up
