Crux 2017 PB5 Limitada Cigar Review – 12 Years in the Making

Twelve Years! That is what we are talking about today. The Crux 2017 Limitada PB5 uses a Engañoso wrapper that what sourced in 2012 and was aged 7 years before the company got it. So simple math (no calculus involved) will equal 12 years that this wrapper has been aging for this 3rd release, of the Crux 2017 Limitada PB5. Yes, it is the same wrapper used in the previous two years of Crux Limitada PB5 cigars. I am not sure how much longer this will continue, but it will  be fun to  track  over the years. But for now, the latest release of this magnificent  cigar is limited to 1,000 ten count boxes.

I sent one of these to my associate Zach Riley to review with me and before I even get into the review let me quote Zach here:

“There was an immense amount of things going on throughout the smoke: note changes, complexity, wonderful flavors, and a great burn from top to bottom.”

My associate Alton and I reviewed the 2016 variety last year so  lets see what this year’s release has to offer.

The Crux 2017 Limitada PB5

Like previous varieties of this limited release, the Crux 2017 PB5 Limitada Cigar features a Engañoso wrapper from Esteli, Nicaragua that encases a combination of five different filler tobaccos while the binder is Connecticut Broadleaf.

The Crux Limitada PB5 is available in only one vitola, a 5.75 x 54 Cuban box-pressed Toro Extra with an MSRP of  $11.99.  The Crux Limitada PB5 is  rolled at Plasencia Cigars S.A. in Esteli, Nicaragua.

As noted, this is a joint review by Zach Riley and I. Today we will present Zach’s notes first followed by Boston Jimmie’s. The photos are based on Boston Jimmie’s smoking experience. Before we get into the flavor notes, lets first do  the obligatory pre-light examination.

The Crux 2017 PB5 Limitada has a gorgeous reddish-brown wrapper with a terrific marbling through it. It is perfectly wrapped with silky feel to  it. There are minimal veins and the packing is solid.

The band on the  Crux 2017 PB5 Limitada is the same as previous years with the bold Crux name on the front and the Crux logo on the back, The name Limitada is printed below in white on a silver background along with the secondary band that declares it as the PB5.

The sniff exam reveals a nutty foot and a well fermented wrapper.

I used a punch to open this one up and the cold draw offered a fruit note that developed into a black pepper spice.

So let’s get down to the flavor and burn notes of the Crux 2017 PB5 Limitada .

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The Crux 2017 Limitada PB5 Review by Zach Riley

Cold Draw: In the cold draw for this particular cigar I am getting a robust wood, earth, and smokey flavor. Very interesting for a cold draw. I’m about to light it up and see where this Crux is going to take me.

First Third: I just put flame to the Crux, and holy cow! There is so much red and black pepper on the inhale. This thing is a serious spice bomb. I don’t say that often either, because it takes a lot of spice for me to say it is spicy, but wow! I am also still getting that woody, hickory, and almost smokey flavor with the spice. This is a really interesting combination here in the beginning. Through the nose I am getting more of a white pepper spice note that with the same flavors I mentioned before, but they are a little less in intensity.

Second Third: I’m into the second third of the Crux now, and it has went from a full-blown make you sweat kind of spice to a spice where it is just tickling the back of your throat and your nose. Still a really enjoyable flavor. It has morphed into more of a white pepper, because the spice is still there, but it isn’t nearly as prominent as it was in the beginning of the smoke. Also the overall flavors have changed as well going from the hickory, smokey, and woody to more of a floral note. I find that odd, because it was more earthy, to floral. I haven’t smoked anything that has went from woody to floral. Through the nose I am getting the same white pepper as in the first third and secondary note I am picking up is a cedar like flavor with that hint of floral.

Final Third/Finish: Into the final third of the Crux now, and it has gotten a lot stronger, but at the same time it has really changed modes to a more creamy note. I am getting just a little spice on the tip of my tongue, but other than that the spice has completely gone away. Another note I am getting is a light earthy flavor in a way that compliments the cream really well. The strength is really nice, because it started out with such a punch it is nice to end that way as well. Through the nose I am getting the same white pepper spice that I have been getting throughout the smoke, some dry hazelnut, and a hint of citrus at the end of the retro.

Overview: This was a wonderful smoke. I had never heard of this company until Jim sent me this to try and give notes on it. There was an immense amount of things going on throughout the smoke: note changes, complexity, wonderful flavors, and a great burn from top to bottom. I really enjoyed smoking this and reviewing this cigar. Jim gave me an overview on it during our conference call this morning before I sat down and did the review. This is a fine cigar and needs to be smoked by anyone that enjoys fine boutique blends. Well done Crux. I hope you enjoyed this edition of my review and I will hopefully have more for you soon!

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