Villiger Cigars added an extension to their 1888 line this year, with the introduction of the Villiger 1888 Gran Reserva Box Pressed Toro. The company notes that the Gran Reserva has an added year of aging to it which they say enhances the blends balance and complexity. They also note that the leaf used in the blend has been aged an extra 2 years in the bale.
The company described the blend as:
- Wrapper – Mexican San Andres Maduro
- Binder – Habano Ecuador
- Filler – Nicaragua
The Villiger 1888 Gran Reserva is expressed in a single (6 x 54) box pressed toro and comes packaged in 10-count boxes with an MSRP set at $22.00/cigar. The Gran Reserva is limited to just 1,000 boxes for a total production of 10,000 cigars.
The 1888 Gran Reserva is manufactured at Villiger de Nicaragua in Estelí, Nicaragua.
For this review I sampled two of these cigars which I received from the company for the purpose of review on Stogie press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Villiger 1888 Gran Reserva is presented with a dark, reddish-brown, wrapper that has a silky-smooth feel. The cigar has minimal veins and feel well packed from head to foot. The box pressing is crisp and the construction is competed with a well applied double cap.
Two bands adorn the cigar. The primary band used a red, gold and black motif. The Villiger logo is presented on the top and the bottom boldly declares this as the 1888 in gold on a bright red background. A secondary footer band is applied and defines this as the “GRAN RESERVA” in gold on a glossy black background.
Running the cigar along the nose, I did not pick up much aroma from the barrel, but the foot did deliver notes of nuttiness and chocolate nuances.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and gave it some cold draw puffs that I found to be just fine with restriction and offered notes of creamy chocolate and pepper.
Using my dual flame torch, I gently warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of peppery smoke to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- The journey starts with a nice dose of pepper on top of a chocolate back drop
- A white ash begins to form on top of a slightly wavy char line
- The smoke smooths out after a 1/2 inch of burn as more cream enters the profile
- The profile further develops early with notes of dark espresso
- The ash dropped early revealing a well-formed burn cone
- A pleasant woody aroma wafts off the foot
- There is a gentle spice note joining the mix, midway through the burn
- Strength has been mostly medium but begins to ratchet up a bit now
- Earthy and leather notes evolve moving into the final
- Medium to full in strength
- Total smoking time was 1 hour and 45 minutes
Final Analysis
The Villiger 1888 Gran Reserva Box Pressed Toro journey opens with an enticing burst of black pepper, laid boldly atop a foundation of chocolate, setting a robust and intriguing tone. Within the first half-inch, the smoke mellows beautifully—its texture softening as a wave of creamy sweetness begins to weave into the profile. As the journey deepens, the flavor profile blossoms with the assertive bitterness of dark espresso, adding a sophisticated, almost brooding depth. A delicate, woody aroma rises from the foot adding the pleasure.
Midway through, a subtle spice rejoins the ensemble—more warming than sharp—folding effortlessly into the existing medley. The strength, steady at a confident medium throughout the first half, begins to build with measured intensity. As the cigar progresses into its final act, earthy undertones and notes of leather begin to dominate, lending a grounded, tactile finish to an already complex and evolving profile.
This cigar is certainly one of the best to come out of the company in recent years.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild wave in burn especially in second third
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Buy; (+1) Pleasurable and balanced profile across multiple samples
