Recently we spoke on the show about the Cigar Journal Awards, and the best value cigar from Honduras was voted as the Flor de Selva for the Villa Zamorano. As luck would have it when I returned to work on Monday morning there was some samples from the company waiting for me in my humidor.
According the Maya Selva Cigars website,
Since 1995, when Flor de Selva was launched in France, the “Maya Selva Cigars” collection continues to expand, to the amazement and delight of aficionados. Now consisting of three brands — Flor de Selva, Cumpay, and Villa Zamorano — the collection invites the most demanding smokers to discover the tradition of hand-crafted cigars, the cultivated tastes of Maya’s personally-selected growing areas in Honduras and Nicaragua (their terroir, or “spirit of place”) and a uniquely creative vision of the puro.
Cigar: Flor de Selva Maduro
Size: 5.5 x 54 (No. 15)
Wrapper: Maduro from Jamastrán – Honduras
Binder: Mata Fina
Filler: Viso Jamastran, Ligero Azacualpa
Strength: Medium
The Look: The band which is printed on wine stock type paper gives the cigar a classy look especially with the logo. Much like the type of paper used in a wedding invitation the different types of stock can help relay the type of affair it will be. The maduro wrapper has an almost rustic type of look to it with a nice firm roll and no soft spots. The foot appears to be well packed and I enjoy the look of the foot ban on the foot.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Flor de Selva serves up notes of earth and coffee on the cold draw, while the foot of the cigar has the wonderful aroma of the morning dew. For me moving into the country from the big city, it is one of those things I love to smell in the morning, especially after a rain storm.
As we light the cigar there is a subtle spice through the nose but nothing that is too overpowering to enjoy. There is a wonderful coffee note that borders on espresso with a slight hint of sweetness. In the first third of the cigar the coffee continues to grow as the dominant note with a continued sweetness that develops into toffee.
The second third of the cigar continues to develop in the sense that the notes become more distinct and the toffee takes charge as the primary taste with hints of cinnamon and coffee and the buildup of wood as the transition occurs.
The last third of the smoke there is a developing wood note that compliments continued coffee and and toffee notes right to the short finish of the smoke.
The Burn: The draw of the Flor de Selva is right in the range of excellence for a torpedo. There is a slight resistance that is a bit more than a toro or robusto, but there is no issue getting enough smoke to enjoy the experience. The cigar has a burn line that is perfect most of the time, with a slight waviness at others. The cigar stays lit from the initial light and the medium gray ash held on a third at a time.
The Finish: The Flor de Selva has made a little bit of a name for itself in the European markets, especially France. They have just hired a director of sales for the USA and are set to make a push into the American market. We decided to review the Flor de Selva which is part of their core line before we review the value cigar at a future date. The price for the cigar is a little pricey in my opinion and while flavorful it does get a small deduction due to the price. In a crowded price point, and with options below I would keep a 5 pack on hand for enjoyment after a hearty meal.
Score: 89
Price: $12.00
Flor de Selva
Flor de Selva Foot
Flor de Selva Burn
