Originally released in 2022 the Villiger Miami was, according to Rene Castaneda, president of Villiger Cigars North America, “the cigar we give to our friends, customers and colleagues when they visit our Miami office.” That is important, because despite its name, the Villiger Miami is not made in Miami but rather in the Dominican Republic at ABAM Cigars S.R.L.
When originally released to the market, the Villiger Miami came in 2 vitolas – Robusto (5 x 50) and Laguito No.1 (7 1/2 x 38). The blend for those included an Ecuadorian Connecticut Desflorado wrapper with Dominican binder and fillers.
In 2023, the company released a new vitola known as the Cañonazo which measures (5 7/8 x 53). The company also updated the blend, with a bit of secrecy, to:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian habano
- Binder – Undisclosed
- Filler – Undisclosed except Peru
The Villiger Miami 2023 Cañonazo is packaged in a beautiful blue and gold, 10-count box and carries an MSRP of $17.00/cigar. The company notes that there was a total of 1,000 boxes made.
For this review I sampled 4 of the Villiger Miami 2023 Cañonazo cigars which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Villiger Miami 2023 Cañonazo feature a smooth, reddish tan wrapper that exhibits minimal veins and slight oil sheen. The packing is firm with just the give when pressed gently between the fingers. A triple cap finishes the construction.
A blue, white and gold band adorns the cigar that presents the company logo on the top and the name Miami on the bottom. A secondary blue and gold footer band is applied that boldly describes this as the 2023 release.
Running the Villiger Miami 2023 Cañonazo along the nose, I was greeted with notes of spice along the barrel and earthy barnyard notes with a hint of chocolate off the foot.
I used my double blade Xikar cutter to slice the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and proceeded to give it cold draw puffs that was just fine in restriction and offered fruit, black pepper and barnyard notes.
Cigar Review Notes
- Smooth start fruit and butter cream notes
- An evolving cinnamon spice starts to be the more forward note in the profile
- A light grey ash forms on top of a medium thick char line with a mild wave
- Continued butter and fruit with an added cedar essence
- Pleasant nut aromas waft off the foot
- The ash fell in decent chunk, revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- Vegetal notes begin to develop with a continued spice deep in the first third
- A touch of caramel sweetness joins the profile entering the second third
- Slight floral notes brighten the profile
- Flavors are getting rather Cubanesque moving through the second third
- Mild chocolate and caramel deep in second third
- Spice notes reemerge in the final
- Mild to medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 50 minutes
Final Analysis
The Villiger Miami 2023 Cañonazo opens with a smooth and inviting blend of fruit and creamy butter notes that provide a rich, velvety start. As the smoke evolves, a warming cinnamon spice gradually becomes the dominant flavor, asserting itself as the more prominent note in the profile. Beneath the spice, the buttery and fruity tones persist, now enriched by a subtle cedar essence that adds depth and complexity. Pleasant nutty aromas drift gently from the foot, enhancing the sensory experience. Vegetal undertones begin to emerge, weaving seamlessly with the lingering spice. A touch of caramel sweetness enters the mix, softening the profile as the cigar progresses into the second third, while faint floral notes add a delicate brightness. By this point, the flavors take on a distinctly Cubanesque character, marked by a smooth, refined balance. Mild notes of chocolate and caramel develop deeper into the second third, adding a layer of richness to the experience. As the cigar moves into its final third, the spice reasserts itself, completing the evolving flavor journey with a satisfying finish. This is worth grabbing a fiver of. I rate this a 93.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wave in Burn; (-1) Flat but Centered Burn Cone
Bonus Points: (+1) Nicely balanced and pleasurable across Mutiple samples
