This past weekend on The Cigar Authority podcast we smoked the Intemperance EC XVIII, Mr. Jonathan looked to see if the type of cut changes the duration of a cigar and we smoked the Eiroa Classic which our friends at Cigar Journal named as their cigar of the year.
The magazine went on to say, “Not even having reached his mid-forties, Christian Luis Eiroa has a long family tradition in the cigar business – in 2016 it will be 100 years. In 1995, his family purchased the brand Camacho; in the year 2000, Christian launched the legendary Camacho Corojo. In 2008, he sold the Camacho brand to Oettinger Davidoff, where he continued to work until 2011. In the year 2012, Christian L. Eiroa founded the CLE Cigar Company and, one year later, the Tabacalera Aladino in Danlí, Honduras. In 2015, he undertook his first endeavor to also establish his new brands across the globe.”
Cigar Review: Eiroa Classic
Size: 4 x 48
Wrapper: Honduras
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
Strength: Medium-Full
The Look: Packaged in 20 count wooden dress boxes, the Eiroa Classic features a cinnamon brown wrapper with a nice amount of oils present. The cigar is box pressed with a a flawless roll. The cigar band has a nice texture to it with a red background and gold text with black accents. In addition to the name of the brand Eiroa, it also states “Salud Amor Pesetas” which translates to “Health, Love and Money” which is Chritian’s motto for a successful life. In the hand the cigar is firm with no soft spots and an average weight.
The Notes: Once the cigar is clipped the initial notes are an abundance of cedar and elements of sweetness and cinnamon. In fact the cold draw is cookie like especially once you take in the nose off the foot which enhances the cold draw the second time through.
Once we used the Vertigo Intimidator which we showcased on the podcast to toast and light the Eiroa cigar, the initial notes continued with an abundance of cedar on the initial draw. As we moved deeper into the first third, the cigar served up some gingerbread notes and cinnamon both of which took over as the dominant notes of the cigar. Through the nose the cigar takes on some nuances of almonds and chocolate with a touch of spice.
As we enter the second half of the cigar with the ash still holding on firm, the cigar begins to transition as the notes experienced on the retrohale slide into that of your palate. The almond and chocolate notes mix together creating a candy bar like experience with a touch of cedar and and aroma that is so intoxicating it’s easy to get lost in the moment. On the retrohale everything experienced is enhanced with a touch of subtle pepper.
The last third of the Eiroa Classic sees the first two thirds meld together becoming a cornucopia of flavors. While cedar is dominant on the palate and aroma there are some elements of almonds, gingerbread, cinnamon and chocolate. The cigar feels like a desert and its enjoyable. On the retrohale there is a mix of cedar and spice making this experience oh so nice.
The Burn: One would expect a cigar that measures 4 x 48 to burn fast, but this is a cigar that smoked bigger than it is in both flavor and duration. The burn reveals a thin combustion line and the ash of the cigar held firm for more than the first half of the cigar. The draw was superb and the cigar remained lit throughout with an absolutely perfect burn.
Overall: While I don’t believe a cigar should be named “Cigar of the Year” unless it was released in that particular year, the 2013 released Eiroa is an outstanding cigar. The cigar is a flavor bomb that contains notes that are easily identifiable. Eiroa is firing on all cylinders and he is releasing some of the best cigars in his career. If this was baseball he would be deserving of a contract in the range of what Byrce Harper might get when he reaches free agency.
Score: 93
Price: $9.99 / $175.99
Eiroa Classic
Eiroa Classic Foot
Eiroa Classic Burn
