At first look you would think this cigar is to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the CLE Cigar Company, but that won’t happen until 2037. But like the Eiroa First 20, this cigar is a personal milestone marking Christian Eiroa’s 25th Anniversary in the cigar industry. Today we review the 11/18 size which is synonymous with Christian Eiroa dating back to when he owned Camacho. The 11/18 size is only available at members of the TAA such as 2GuysCigars.com.
Cigar Review: CLE 25th Anniversary
Wrapper: Honduran Corojo
Binder: Honduran Corojo
Fillers: Honduran Corojo
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 50/54/50
Size: 11/18
The Look: It apropos that this cigar was released a week before Christmas with its red and green tissue paper giving it a holiday feel. Packaged in 25 count boxes the box pressed 11/18 has a milk chocolate color wrapper with a subtle brindle effect. The red and green band gives the cigar even more of a holiday feel to it but surprisingly there is no mention of the 25th Anniversary on it.
The Notes: The cold draw serves up notes of peanuts from the shell with the skin still on and nuances of cedar the latter being strong on the aroma of the foot. Once the cigar is lit the cigar starts off with notes of nuts before being joined by warm chocolate. As the first third comes to a close cedar becomes the dominant flavor profile with a smooth mocha retrohale.
The second third of the 25th Anniversary of Christian Eiroa continues to showcase notes of nuts and cedar and at the halfway point a rich coffee bean joins the mix in the background before taking over the palate. The coffee notes continue on the finish and the retrohale.
As we slide into the last third notes of coffee remain the focal point with a touch of cream and cedar. The finish of the cigar has some red pepper especially on the retrohale. The cigar is incredibly smooth with rich robust flavor that allows me to smoke it until there is nothing left to hold.
The Finish: CLE as a company has finished 2020 strong with 2 cigars that might be the best to date in their respective portfolios. The Asylum Eight scored very high here on TCA and now the CLE 25th Anniversary follow suit. It’s a cigar worthy of an anniversary and of a spot in your humidor.
Score: 94
Price: $17.69 / $394.99
CLE 25th Anniversary
CLE 25th Anniversary Foot
CLE 25th Anniversary Burn
