My Father Le Bijou Limited Edition 2016

For six of the past seven years, My Father Cigars has released one of the most anticipated and sought after limited editions. While the company didn’t release a limited edition in 2014, it is only the second time the LE wasn’t the original My Father. In 2013, for the 10th Anniversary a Don Pepin Garcia was released as a limited edition to celebrate the milestone.

This year the My Father Le Bijou Limited Edition 2016 is limited to 4,000 boxes of 14 cigars.

Cigar Review: My Father Le Bijou Limited Edition 2016
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano Oscuro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaruagua (Including Pelo de Oro)
Length: 6.5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Vitola: Toro

The Look: The 14 count box is a true piece of art. The glossy white box features a raised plaque that stands out and almost gives the box a humidor like appearance. It would be a shame to see this art defaced by upcoming FDA regulations. Inside the box, each cigar is in a wooden coffin with an orange foot band. The cigar features the My Father band that is one of the most colorful in the industry. A secondary band is on the cigar denoting the Le Bijou 1922 Limited Edition.  In the hand the cigar is heavy, with a flawless wrapper and no soft spots.

The Notes: Once the cap is clipped the cold draw of the cigar offers notes of fig, molasses, earth and barley. There is a lot going on that really engages the palate and prepares the smoker  for the experience ahead. The foot of the Limited Edition from My Father has a touch of mocha, wood and earth.

After the toasting and lighting the initial notes of the My Father Le Bijou Limited Edition 2016  are black pepper with a subtle sweetness in the background that comes from the Pelo de Oro tobacco. As we move past the first inch or so there are notes of vanilla, chocolate and roasted nuts. The cigar is incredibly complex and while pepper remains on the retrohale the palate is engaged with a wonderful sweetness.

Moving on to the second third, the cigar becomes darker with notes of roasted coffee beans, cedar and dry earth. The pepper remains on the retrohale and creates a long finish that is otherwise short until you exhale the smoke through your nose.

The last third sees some of the sweetness hang around in the background, but the primary note of roasted coffee beans really shine and engage the smoker. The pepper works it way on to the palate as the retrohale showcases notes of cedar and a slight leather on the finish.

The Burn: A very slow burning cigar that helps justify the price tag as my experience lasted north of 2 hours. This is a cigar that is meant to be smoked slow to enjoy all it has to offer. The combustion line was razor-thin with a light color ash that held for each third. The burn was perfect and the cigar remained lit for the duration.

The Finish: The My Father Le Bijou Limited Edition 2016 starts out different then one has come to expect from My Father. Sure the pepper is there at light, but the sweetness is complex and engages you immediately. Pelo de Oro is hard tobacco to grow and I realize that a lot of it is held back for special releases, but it is one tobacco I would love to see used more. Especially when it brings so much to the blend as it does here.

Score: 95
Price: $22.99 / $289.99