Gispert Intenso Cigar Review – Another Fine AJ Fernandez Collaboration

Here is another review by Stogie Press’ newest associate; Zach Riley. We hope to have more reviews from this young but experienced palate in the months to come. Today’s review is on the new Gispert Intenso a cigar you may not heard much about.

The Gispert Intenso is a collaboration between Altadis U.S.A. and A.J. Fernandez. The Gispert brand name is actually an old Cuban brand that Altadis U.S.A. secured when Habanos S.A. discontinued it in the early part of the 21st Century. By the way, the proper pronunciation of Gispert is hees-pairt.

So without further adieu I will hand it off to Zach. Take it away brother!

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The Gispert Intenso – A review by Zach Riley

I bought this cigar at my home shop, Cigar Room Shoals, from my man, Leslie Russell. This is a cigar from the great A.J. Fernandez. This is not my first time smoking Gispert Intenso, but this is my first time dissecting this stick, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Blend and Sizes Available:

• Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
• Binder: Nicaraguan Criollo 98
• Filler: Dominican Republic and Nicaragua

The Gispert Intenso is available in 3 vitolas:

• Corona 5 x 44 (MSRP $6.00)
• Toro 6 x 50 (MSRP $6.50)
• Belicoso 6 1/8 x 52 (MSRP $6.95)

Smoking Experience:

Cold Draw: I’m getting sweetness, I got some oak, the draw was a medium draw, so it won’t be an incredibly short smoke. Let’s fire it up!

First third: First light I’m getting great amounts of spice, a wonderful sweetness, and almost like a red pepper. Through the nose I’m getting a white spice that burns through and ends turning into a red or black pepper spice on the retro. Really nice if you enjoy spice.

Towards the end of the first third I’m getting a wonderful  mocha note on the inhale, and on the nose the pepper has faded dramatically. It has went to more of a black coffee note through the nose with more of a white pepper on the after note that finishes much smoother than the red from earlier.

Second third: Wow, serious changes! Now I’m getting a creamy note. Along with the creaminess I’m getting a wonderful cocoa note. So tasty. Through the nose the very light white pepper is gone completely, and is now a coffee note, but a coffee note with heavy creamer in it.

I’m nearly done with the second third and I had to add this last bit. The sweetness has gotten even greater, but in a good way. It’s almost like a molasses. It seriously just coats your entire mouth.

Finish: The finish has shifted back to that super strong mocha, hazelnut, and cocoa notes.  Through the nose it is actually very different this time. I’m getting earth, leather, and no spice whatsoever. I’m still getting terrific sweetness through the inhale, but it shifted from molasses to that enticing mocha/cocoa note.

It has also gotten much stronger at the end, and I can tell you why. Cigars get stronger at the end due to the nicotine creeping all the way to the end of the cigar, so I’m getting much more strength. A nice meal before this would be recommended if you don’t smoke an incredible amount, and your tolerance is lower.