Villiger Cigar Company kicked off 2020 with the introduction of a special cigar to celebrate Villiger’s century long history with Brazilian tobacco, The “Villiger Do Brasil” (Villiger of Brazil) was showcased at the year’s only cigar trade show, Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE 2020), held the last week of January at the Las Vegas Conventions Center. Two blends were introduced; Villiger Do Brazil Claro and Villiger Do Brazil Maduro.
The Villiger family’s relationship with Brazilian tobacco dates to Villiger Cigars’ beginnings in 1888, when Jean and his wife Louise Villiger imported Brazilian tobacco, shortly after founding the company. Later in 1979 a Villiger subsidiary company opened Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul), Brazil. The company was named CHARUTOS TOBAJARA LIMITADA and produced handmade cigars for export to Germany and Switzerland. Later, Villiger moved operations to Northern Brazil (Bahia) where the new Villiger do Brazil factory opened its doors in 2018.
Villiger Chairman of the Board, Heinrich Villiger noted in a press release:
“My family saw the value in Brazilian tobacco when they began Villiger Cigars as very small operation in 1888. Brazilian tobacco is unique, as its structure is very robust, which leads to strong aromas and flavours. Its distinct qualities can only be created in Bahia, Brazil. We look forward to sharing the Villiger do Brasil brand with the United States marketplace.”
Today’s review centers around the Villiger Do Brazil Maduro which have been resting in my humidor since February of this year. I waited this long because the first one I smoked seemed a bit young to me and letting it age made sense.
The Villiger Do Brazil Maduro is a Brazilian puro with a blend described as:
- Wrapper – Brazilian Arapiraca
- Binder – Brazilian
- Filler – Brazilian
The Villiger Do Brasil Claro and Maduro are expressed in 2 vitolas and come packaged in 5-count boxes:
- Robusto (5×50) – MSRP: $9.00
- Toro (6×50) – MSRP: $9.50
For this review I sampled three Villiger Do Brazil Maduro robustos which I received from Villiger Cigars for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Villiger Do Brazil Maduro is a slightly rugged looking cigar with a very dark brown and marbled wrapper. Running my finger along the barrel I noted those was a slight toothy grit. There are some noticeable veins and bumps along the barrel and the cigar feels solid and well packed to the touch. A simple cap finishes the presentation.
A single band adorns the cigar using a forest green, gold , and white motif. The Villiger logo is proudly centered in raised gold print and the bands “DO BRASIL” is printed in white below. I like how the band pops on the background of the dark leaf of the cigar.
As ran the Villiger Do Brazil Maduro along the nose, I did not pick up much aroma along the barrel, but the foot exuded notes of earth and sweetness.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs, which had a decent restriction and offered notes of pepper and a growing earthy background.
My triple flame torch proved to be just fine for warming the foot to an even orange glow as I drew in the first puffs of thick and creamy smoke that had a pepper and citrus like flavor. Follow along as I burn the Villiger Do Brazil Maduro to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Thick and creamy smoke starts the journey
- Pepper and citrus notes entice the palate
- There is a unique Brazilian flavor which reminds me of the CAO Amazon Basin
- Cocoa aroma wafts off the foot
- Light grey ash forms on a medium thick char line
- Earthy notes are front and center with citrus lingering on palate
- Aroma shifts to a mild floral note
- Slight wave in burn
- Pepper grows starting the second third
- Cocoa powder moves in through the second third
- Ash fell in big chunk – perfect ash cone
- Cocoa and citrus dance the perfect tango on the palate
- Aroma shifts again to a fruit note
- Added spice notes take it down through final
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes to the nub
Overall, the Villiger Do Brazil Maduro was quite the pleasant smoking experience. Filled with enticing and well transitioning flavors and aroma, this journey kept my palate interested from foot to nub. The only negative point on this was the wavy burn but that was minimal and never required a touch-up. This is box worthy in my mind and as I noted early, let some rest. I rate this a 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Worthy
