The Pichardo Reserva Familiar was a new line of cigars introduced at the 2019 PCA trade show, in Las Vegas, NV. They are produced at the Tabacalera Pichardo in Nicaragua, a factory that has been silently manufacturing premium cigars for major U.S. and International brands under Non Disclosure Agreements (NDA’s). The factory was founded by Don Eradio Pichardo, a third generation tobacco agriculturist and native of Cuba. The cigars are distributed by ACE Prime a newly formed distribution company announced at the show. The company is a vertically integrated operation that was formed by; Sommelier Luciano Meirelles along with NBA Champions Dominique Wilkins and Tiago Splitter.
The Pichardo Reserva Familiar line is made up of three different blends, Connecticut, Habano, and San Andres. For today’s review, I will be talking about the Pichardo Reserva Familiar San Andres blend, and to kick it off, let’s get right to the bold blend as described by the company.
- Wrapper – Mexican San Andres
- Binder – Nicaraguan Habano
- Filler – Nicaraguan Ometepe, Esteli, and Jalapa
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.“
The Pichardo Reserva Familiar San Andres is available in a single 6 x 52 vitola and comes packaged in 15-count boxes with an MSRP of $12.50/cigar.
Pre-Light Examination
The Pichardo Reserva Familiar San Andres highlights a toothy, dark brown, Mexican San Andres wrapper that has just a tinge of marbling through it. The cigar is solid in the hand and finished with a triple cap. The barrel has a few bumps and veins along it, but I have to say, I like the look of this wrapper and cigar overall.
There are two bands adorning the cigar. The primary uses a white, 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.
The pre-light aromas include a sweet tobacco note along the barrel and fruit and cocoa off the foot with a minor amount of earthiness.
I sliced the cap with a double blade cutter and took in a few good old draw puffs. The restriction was decent and the draw graced the palate with
a delicious butter note with a sprinkle of pepper. Wow, I was expecting more of a fruit note but I’ll take the butter.
The Pichardo Reserva Familiar San Andres took well to the initial flame of my dual torch lighter and warmed up quickly as I took in the first puffs of peppery smoke.
Cigar Review Notes
- First light offered pepper on the throat and the nose
- Light grey ash evolves on a medium yet wavy char line
- The pepper pulls back and reveals tasty notes of cocoa and fruit
- The smoke has been at full volume since the first puff
- Ash falls after an inch showing an off centered burn cone
- Barrel is getting a tad squishy
- Malt notes enter in the start of the second third
- Dry fruit add to the mix, moving through second third
- A bitter component finds its way into the profile and lingers on the palate deep in the second third
- Floral fruit aroma is wafting off the foot
- Strength moves up near the start of the final third
- Spicy notes take over here and still a bit of bitterness in background
- A brief sweetness teases the palate but fades back
- Burns a tad hot to touch in final
- Medium to Full in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hours and 35 minutes
Overall, the Pichardo Reserva Familiar San Andres had a fine flavor profile early on but the bitterness in the second half took away from the experience. The cigar also had a wavy burn and an off centered burn cone once the ash fell. You might want to check one out. I rate this an 88.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn Line; (-1) Off Centered Burn Cone; (-1) Bitterness in the second half; (-2) Burns Hot to the Touch in Final; (-1) Check one out
