Based out of Tampa, Florida – Geronimo Cigar was founded by two Brothers of the Leaf, Ariel Geronimo and Jorge Rodriguez. The duo have been in business since 2015 plying their craft as they navigated the cigar industry waters, learning the industry as they moved along. In 2017, they released the El Principio, a four vitola line that was offered in a Connecticut and Habano blend.
The name El Principio translates to “The Beginning” in English. Geronimo Cigars decided to add a maduro version to the line in 2021 incorporating a San Andres maduro wrapper and offered it in a single (5.5 x 52) vitola.
The full blend is described as:
- Wrapper – San Andres
- Binder – Nicaragua (Jalapa)
- Filler – Nicaragua (Estelli, Jalapa, Condega)
To add an additional depth to the blend, they aged them in whiskey coffins.
The Geronimo Cigars El Principio maduro comes packaged in 20-count wooden cabinet boxes with an MSRP of $193.42 per box ($9.67/cigar).
Today I would like to offer my review of the Geronimo Cigars El Principio Maduro that I was gifted from my friend Gustavo F. Placeres, owner of GFP Cigars, and caries the line
Pre-Light Examination
The El Principio Maduro sports a dark oily brown wrapper that has a light tooth along the barrel. The cigar is firm to the touch and exhibits minimal veins. A simple cap finishes the cigar.
A single band adorns the cigar using a design similar to the original but uses a muted red and gold motif. The company’s logo is displayed on top and the name El Principio is printed in the center and the words Hand Made below. It also denotes Est. 2015 Nicaragua on the bottom
Running the cigar along the nose I detected a mildly pungent fermented leaf note along the barrel while the foot exuded notes of fruit and nut.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and gave it some cold draw puffs that quickly introduced its complex blend with notes of creamy fruit and light pepper. The more you cold puff the pepper grows and a hint of earth adds to the pre-light flavor profile.
U used my double flame torch to warm the foot and bring it to an even orange glow as I drew in the first puffs of that pre-light creamy fruit note. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial light graces the palate with smooth fruit and cream notes to start the journey
- Mild pepper is detected on the retro-hale
- A light grey ash forms on top of a thin char line
- Natural tobacco sweetness adds to the pleasure
- Nice oiling appears above the char line
- Lip numbing licorice notes enter
- Ash fell in a solid chunk revealing a well formed burn cone
- A pleasant nutty aroma fills the air around me
- Earthy notes develop moving into the second third
- Dark chocolate notes
- Slight bitter notes moving into final
- Mild off burn forms but did not require a touch up
- Medium in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes
Final Analysis
I never had the original El Principio from Geronimo Cigars but I have to say, after sampling the El Principio Maduro I am looking to smoke that one next. As for the maduro, it was quite a pleasurable journey starting with smooth creamy and fruit notes on the palate and a mild peppery sensation on the nose. It was very well balanced with a natural sweetness that develops in the core along with a pleasant nutty aroma. The construction was spot on until the final third where it exhibited a mild off burn but did not require a touch-up. I say this is box worthy and I rate it a 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Off Burn in Final Third; (-1) Slight Bitter Note in Final
Bonus Points: (+1) Buy a Box; (+1) Nice Oiling above the Char line
