After bit of a hiatus, Reinado Cigars returned to the boutique cigar world in 2021 with the introduction of a new blend – the Grand Apex. The blend was offered in a single Robusto Extra vitola but they added a gordo earlier this year. For this review, I will focus on the original Robusto Extra.
The company describes the Grand Apex blend as:
- Wrapper – Mexican San Andres
- Binder – Nicaraguan
- Filler – Nicaraguan
As of this writing, the Reinado Cigars Grand Apex is available in 2 vitolas. The Robusto Extra comes packaged in 20-count boxes and the Gordo is packaged in 15-count boxes:
- Robusto Extra (5.5 x 52) – MSRP $12.35
- Gordo (6 x 60) – MSRP $12.75
A cool part of the selling of these cigars is that a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Dementia Society of America. Antonio Lam, owner of the company, noted that part of the reason the company left the market was due to his need to care for his father, who was diagnosed with dementia.
The Grand Apex was blended by Aganorsa Leaf and is produced at Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. in Nicaragua.
Pre-Light Examination
The Reinado Cigars Grand Apex is cloaked with a dark brown and marbled wrapper that has a slight oily sheen. The wrapper has a mild grit to it and there are a few veins that run through the wrapper. Packing is solid and it is finished with a simple cap.
A single band adorns the cigars. The band uses a bold blue background with white and black lettering. The company logo is presented in white at the top and the name “GRAND APEX” is printed in black. The right side of the band includes the Aganorsa Leaf logo.
Running the Grand Apex along the nose, I noted that the barrel did not offer much aroma but the foot pleased the senses with notes of fruit and cocoa notes.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that I found to be excellent in draw restriction and offering a growing pepper note on each draw.
Using my double flame torch, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first peppery shots to the palate and nose. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Early pepper shot to start
- Get a bit harsh on the palate
- White flaky ash forms on top of a slightly wavy char line
- Early off burn formed that needed a touch up
- Toasted Cracker notes enter after the inch of burn as the pepper recedes
- Mild baking spice adds to the mix
- Spice increases with a hint of fruit
- Floral aroma wafts off the foot
- Coffee nuance provides an added dimension
- Ash fell revealing an off centered burn cone
- Light caramel notes deep in the second third
- Strength increases
- Coffee morphs into more of an Espresso note with hints of Dark Cocoa in the final
- Medium Plus in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
I found the Reinado Cigars Grand Apex Robusto Extra to be a decent cigar once it moved past the earlier harshness in the introductory profile. The flavors slowly evolved through the 1 hour and 40 minute experience as did the strength. I especially enjoyed the notes of coffee that evolved into a dark espresso along with the caramel and cocoa notes. Both samples I smoked had burn issues that detracted from the experience including off burns and a touchup that was required. I rate this an 88.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn; (-1) Off Burn; (-1) Touchup required; (-1) Harsh Start; (-1) Flaky Ash; (-1) Off Centered Burn Cone; (-1) Check One Out
Bonus Points: (+1) Long Ash
