At this years PCA Trade Show, Luciano Cigars and Dalay Zigarren announced a new partnership between the two companies for the exclusive distribution of Dalay products by Luciano Cigars in the United States. The two companies have worked together for nearly five years, with Dalay being the sole distributor of Luciano Cigars in Germany.
One of the cigars announced was the Dalay Nicaragua which was blended by Luciano Meirelles. The blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuador (Corojo 98)
- Double Binder – Brazilian (Arapiraca) and Ecuador (Corojo 98)
- Filler – Nicaraguan (Pueblo Nuevo, Jalapa, Esteli and Massatepe)
The Dalay Nicaragua is produced at the Luciano Cigars factory in Esteli, Nicaragua,and is expressed in four vitolas, each packaged in 20-count boxes:
- Corona Gorda (5 ½ x 46) -MSRP $10.50
- Robusto (5 x 50) – MSRP $11.50
- Toro (6 x 52) – MSRP $12.50
- Gran Toro (6 ½ x 56) – MSRP $13.30
For this review, I sampled 3 of the Dalay Nicaragua Robustos which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Dalay Nicaragua Robusto is a beautifully constructed cigar all the way down to the near quad cap. The dark reddish-brown wrapper exhibits a decent oily sheen and minimal vein running through it. The cigar feels solidly packed with no discernable soft spots.
A single band adorns the cigar. It uses a white, gold, and plum purple motif. The name DALAY is prominently displayed using gold and blood red on a sideway print and the side of the band denotes Luciano Cigars while the other side declares it as the Nicaragua.
I used my double blade Xikar cutter to slice the cap just above the shoulder of the cigar and proceeded to give it some cold draws that I found to be nicely restricted and offering a peppery burn on the lips and developing butter cream note.
Using my single fan flame Xikar torch, I warmed to foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first peppery blasts of smoke that awoke the palate. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial puffs offer an expected peppery blast
- A light grey ash forms on top of a thick wavy char line
- Pleasant sweet cream notes start to evolve after a 1/4 inch of burn
- Natural sweetness and cinnamon notes start to grace the palate
- Retro hale is very smooth and the draw offers palate filling smoke on every puff
- Mild floral notes near end of first third
- Excellent oiling popping above the burn line
- Roasted nut aroma wafts off the foot
- The sweetness and cinnamon maintain moving into the second third
- Slight off-burn develops and requires a mild touch up
- Strength ratchets up midway
- Burns hot to the touch
- Ash fell in a large chunk revealing a slightly off centered burn cone
- Spice increases moving through second third
- A resurgence of cream with a touch of molasses and spice take it down to the finish
- Medium plus in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes
Final Analysis
The initial puffs of the Dalay Nicaragua Robusto by Luciano Cigars deliver an anticipated burst of pepper that tingles the palate. After a quarter inch of burn, delightful, sweet cream notes begin to unfold, gradually evolving on the taste buds. A natural sweetness, accompanied by hints of cinnamon, graces the palate, adding layers of flavor to the smoking experience. The retro hale is remarkably smooth, complemented by a draw that fills the palate with rich, satisfying smoke with each puff.
Entering the final stretch of the first third, mild floral notes delicately emerge, enhancing the overall complexity. From the foot, a captivating aroma of roasted nuts wafts into the air. Transitioning into the second third, the sweetness and cinnamon notes persist, maintaining a harmonious balance.
Midway through, the strength of the cigar intensifies, adding a layer of robustness to the profile. As the journey through the second third progresses, the spice intensifies, providing a welcomed kick to the flavor profile. A resurgence of creamy notes, accompanied by a touch of molasses and spice, carries the cigar through to a satisfying finish. Despite the minor burn issues, the overall smoking experience remains rich, complex, and memorable. Buy a box. I rate this a 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn; (-1) Burns hot to the touch midway through; (-1) Off centered burn cone
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Worthy; (+1) Excellent oiling above the char line; (+1) Long ash; (+1) Consistent across multiple samples
