Back in 2011 Jaime Garcia released a limited edition that consisted of 15 cigars utilizing a Connecticut Broadleaf, with one cigar featuring an Ecuador Shade grown wrapper. Oddly enough everyone wanted that one shade grown wrapper. In 2012, the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition was the blend of that 16th cigar, and was limited to 2012 boxes.
A few weeks back we had Jeremy Soares on The Cigar Authority podcast, and we smoked one of these cigars which feature my favorite type of tobacco, Pelo de Oro. Well, we found 4 boxes in our vault since then, and I convinced David Garofalo to allow me to open up one of those boxes for a review of this special cigar.
Cigar: Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2012
Size: 6.5 x 52 (Toro)
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Pelo de Oro (Nicaragua)
Filler: Nicaragua (Includes Pelo de Oro)
Strength: Medium
Source: Two Guys Smoke Shop
The Look: I hate to describe a cigar as a paper bag, but the color of the Jaime Garcia Limited Edition 2012 reminds me of a shopping bag of the paper variety from your local supermarket. In the hand the wrapper is gritty, though there are some nice oils visible to the naked eye. The stick utilizes a dual band system utilizing the Reserva Especial band as the primary, and a secondary denoted the Limited Edition. In the hand the cigar has no soft spots and an above average weight to it.
The Notes: The cold draw of this Limited Edition cigar has a a few things going on. The first is some sunflower seeds, the second is a faint butterscotch and lastly some earth is present as well. Off the foot of the smoke the aroma sunflower seeds and earth. After toasting the foot one there is a buttery richness present.
From the first light you can easily identify the Pelo de Oro utilized in the binder and the filler, which for me is a distinct note in this case of jellied fruit slices. There is the sweetness of citrus and sugar as the primary note with hints of butterscotch.
In the second third of this Limited Edition there was a complexity that really impressed me as the cigar developed some further citrus notes with a distinct orange and the sweetness of molasses. Some pepper that was non-existent on the light developed especially though the nose with also a cream soda finish similar to the brand Dr. Browns.
The last third develops some notes of wood, and the butterscotch remains though it has been relegated to an afterthought. The cream soda that was experience in the second third is more prevalent on the aroma then the palate. The pepper has stepped up its game and is more noticeable especially on the retrohale.
The Burn: While the cigar never needed to be touched up the first third saw a slightly jagged burn line before cleaning itself up and becoming razor-sharp with an ultra thin carbon line forming by the second half. The light color ash held for more than a third with an average smoke production. The draw was flawless and the cigar remained lit from first light to last puff.
The Finish: Over a month ago we had a discussion on Pelo de Oro tobacco and it being my favorite tobacco hands down, this led to emails and questions on social media about some prime examples of the tobacco. This cigar is right up there with the original Limited Edition by My Father as being among the best examples. The citric notes experienced are definitive Pelo de Oro notes and I would recommend this cigar to those wanting to experience that tobacco. Complex and smooth with a variety of notes, this is truly a special cigar from Jaime Garcia.
Score: 94
Price: $14.99 / $215.99
Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial LE 2012
Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial LE 2012 Foot
Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial LE 2012 Burn
