Earlier this year, I received a care package from a friend that included amongst other things, a Danli Honduras Tobacco offering known as the Catrina De Mi Vida. The name represents the female in the Day of the Dead celebration and translates to Catrina of my Life. I suppose Don Juan needs a mate in the after life. This is the second review of a Danli Honduras Tabacco product, the other was the Don Juan Calaveras.
The Catrina De Mi Vida is available in three blends:
- Connecticut
- Corojo
- Maduro
For this review I sampled one of the Catrina De Mi Vida maduros which has a blend described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Maduro
- Binder – Criollo ’98 Viso & Seco
- Filler – Nicaraguan Esteli Criollo ’98 Ligero & Seco
The Catrina De Mi Vida comes packaged in 20-count boxes with an MSRP of $198.00/box and can be ordered directly from the company’s website here.
Pre-Light Examination
Like the Don Juan Calaveras, the Catrina De Mi Vida is covered with tissue paper, in this case it is purple. Once the tissue paper is removed, the full presentation of the cigar is presented. It is a rugged dark brown cigar that has a fine oily sheen along with a significant amount of veins and quite a bit of mottling throughout the wrapper. It feels well packed and is finished with a double cap.
The band is quite colorful and festive with an image of the Catrina in the center. Look carefully and you will notice her golden tooth. The bottom of the band boldly declares this as the Catrina De Mi Vida.
Running the Catrina along the nose I picked up a bright floral note and a hint of spice along the barrel. The foot presented a light peppery note.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that were a tad tighter than I like. The cold draw offered notes of earth and pepper.
With the pre-light examination out of the way, I used my double flame torch to slowly warm the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of smoke that were rather harsh and slightly sour to start. Follow along as I burn the Catrina De Mi Vida to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Harsh start along with Sour notes
- Light grey ash forms on top of a thick wavy char line
- Decent smoke volume of smoke
- Begins to settle into a floral core of flavor and aroma
- Flavor smooths out after inch plus
- Flat off-centered burn cone is revealed as the ash drops
- Dark chocolate notes start to evolve
- Chestnut maple syrup aroma appears midway
- Delicate natural sweetness rests on the palate
- Savory notes working through the second third
- Ash dropped often through the journey
- Savory and floral notes continue to the end
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
The Danli Honduras Tobacco – Catrina De Mi Vida Maduro was an interesting cigar once it moved past an early harshness and sour profile on the palate during the first inch plus of burn. Once I powered through the start, rich floral notes took control and developed a fine core as the flavor smoothed out and developing nuances of dark chocolate, sweetness, and savory spice carried it through the rest of the journey. I especially enjoyed the most interesting chestnut maple syrup aroma that appeared and lingered through the second third. The cigar did have a jagged burn but never required a touch-up. I felt the second half of the journey was far better then the first. Overall, I rate this an 87 and may try one again.
Point Deductions: (-1) Harsh Start; (-1) Early Sour Note; (-1) Jagged Burn; (-1) Flat Burn Cone; (-1) Off Centered Burn Cone; (-1) Ash drops often; (-1) Might Try one Again
