I have said it before and will say again, with the many high-priced cigars on the market is it possible to produce a decent inexpensive cigars these days. Of course you can, and Roberto P. Duran Cigars has done just that, with the Nicatabaco Factory Blend No. 5.
Now I will say it helps to have your own tobacco fields to get your leaf from, but when you consider the retail price of $1.70 to $2.40 you have to think, wow, how do they do that? Is this cigar worth buying or will it be a disappointment even at the price?
Lets talk a bit about this new offering from Roberto P. Duran Cigars. First off, the company itself is known for some fine premium blends including their Neya and Azan lines. In fact, we ranked the Neya F8 Typhoon at number 20 in lasts years Stogie Press top 25. This year they released a bunch of new cigars and line extensions at the IPCPR including this new Nicatabaco Factory Blend No. 5.
My good friend and national sales manager for Roberto P. Duran cigars, Miguel M. Schoedel explained the blend to me as:
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan
The Nicatabaco Factory Blend No. 5 joins its sister cigar, the Factory Blend No. 2, as the latest bundled cigar from the company, both of which are produced at Nicatabaco SA in Nicaragua. Available in 20 count bundles they are offered in 5 vitolas:
- Minuto (4.5 x 42)
- Robusto (4.8 x 50)
- Toro (5 .8 x 52)
- Toro DeLuxe (6 x 56)
- Churchill (7 x 50)
I had the pleasure of sampling a couple of the Nicatabaco Factory Blend No. 5 toros and I will say – not only are they worth the price, but may well be under priced.
Cigar Review Notes
- Sweet and nutty aroma off foot
- Medium tan Ecuadorian Connecticut
- Some minor veins
- Nicely capped
- Once clipped the cold draw offered a black tea and a hint of pepper
- The draw is smooth and the ash white
- Initial flavors are fruit and pepper with no bite
- Sweetness enters after the first inch
- Bitter and sweet start dancing on the palate
- Burn is perfect
- A buttery toast note appears along with a sweet, white chocolate aroma
- Wrapper is getting some oils developing near the burn line
- Cedar develops as the aroma shifted to a floral midway through the second third
- Spice starts to build in second half
- The spice gets more dominant with a delicate bitterness by the end of the second third
- The cigar continues with the spice through the final third
- Light to medium strength
Overall, the Nicatabaco Factory Blend No. 5 is a most excellent value smoke with it its smooth draw and flavor transitions. Total smoking time for the toro was just around one hour. I would highly recommend a bundle purchase if you are looking for an everyday smoke, that will not kill the cigar budget.
Nicatabaco Factory Blend No. 5
Where can I purchase these cigars ,they are great cigars.