Azabache, which translates into jet black, is a glistening coal that is often used in jewelry in the Cuban culture. The cigars which are exclusive to retailers that are a member of the Tobacconist Association of America are limited to just 320 boxes of each size. Those sizes are 5 x 50, 6 x 54 and 6 x 60.
In a February press release Christian Eiroa of C.L.E said, “Last year we released the Asylum Nyctophilia at TAA. This year we decided to showcase a cigar under the C.L.E. portfolio. I can’t wait to get there and show or friends and customers what I have been working on this year.”
Cigar Review: C.L.E. Azabache
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: El Aladino
Wrapper: Mexico
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru
Length: 6 Inches
Ring Gauge: 54
Vitola: Toro
Strength: Medium Plus / Full
The Look: This year CLE has stepped up their game in not only their cigars, but there packaging as well. Packaged in dress boxes of 25 cigars, each smoke has tissue paper that covers the cigar up to the band which is black and silver with a touch of gold. The cap of the cigar is exposed on this box pressed beauty. Once the tissue sleeve is removed an exquisite looking wrapper is revealed that is rolled and pressed to perfection. There is some oils visible and the cigar has no voids of tobacco under the fingers and the foot is well packed.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Azabache offers up some cocoa like sweetness with a hint of earth and coffee notes. Pretty much as expected for the San Andres wrapper in my opinion. The aroma off the foot is similar with some wood and spice thrown in as well.
Once the cigar is it with my Glock lighter from Vertigo there are subtle notes of pepper and cedar with hints of pistachios and dark chocolate. The cigar is incredibly smooth and we progress into the first third the dark chocolate notes really take hold and begin to transition to cocoa. The aroma off the cigar is woody which matches the finish of the cigar as well.
In the second third of the cigar the wood notes from the aroma make it on to the palate especially on the retrohale. Notes of dark chocolate continue while the nuttiness becomes more generic it still exists until it fades away around the halfway point. The cigar remains exceptionally smooth even on the pepper filled retrohale.
As the cigar concludes the nuttiness becomes dominant with hints of coffee as the dark chocolate has become a memory. The strength is felt the most on the last third where it becomes its fullest in terms of strength. Some pepper remains through the nose but the cigar remains exceptionally smooth.
The Burn: It’s almost sounding cliche but the cigar is perfect in terms of construction. The burn is even with a thin combustion line and a medium gray ash. The draw is perfect with the right amount of resistance. The cigar never wavered, or needed to be relit. As cliche as it sounds it is perfect.
The Finish: When someone asked me my thoughts of this cigar shortly after I lit it up, I described it as Eiroa The First Twenty Years, but stronger. As the cigar concludes, I still would describe it as such. There are hints of sweetness that existed on that cigar with a bump in strength. The result is a great after dinner cigar that is definitely worthy of humidor space.
Score: 92
Price: $8.19 / $179.99
CLE Azabache
CLE Azabache Foot
CLE Azabache Burn
