Since 1992, Two Guys Smoke Shop has announced the Cigar of the Year. In keeping with tradition the announcement of that cigar has come on the Saturday before the Super Bowl. This year Two Guys Smoke Shop and The Cigar Authority was proud to announce that the honor goes to the Recluse Habano Reserve.
I remember back to when we were putting together the contenders for Cigar of the Year and in my mind that cigar was this cigar. In fact on a Cigar Federation podcast in which I was a guest I stated that this was one of the best if not the best cigar I had smoked all year.
But I play such a small roll in the naming of the cigar of the year, because that voting is opened up to those who purchase the contenders pack, and then the employees get a vote. At the end David takes all this data and gets the trophy made before presenting it to the winner.
Cigar Review: Recluse Amadeus Habano Reserva
Size: 5 x 50 (Robusto)
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: San Andres Mexico
Filler: Dominican Republic, USA Pennsylvania
Strength: Medium
The Look: The cigar features a gorgeous reddish-brown Habano wrapper that is absolutely flawless with nearly any veins present. Box pressed to perfection the roll of the cigar is seamless and firm to the touch. The band of red and silver showcases the recluse logo on the primary band and Amadeus on the secondary.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Recluse Amadeus Habano Reserva delivers a subtle sweetness with a core profile of nuts and cedar. The aroma off the foot entices the cigar smoker with some more sweetness consisting of subtle elements of cherries and raisins.
Once the cigar is toasted using my personal favorite lighter from the folks over at Vertigo there is a subtle sweetness that teases the palate with some continues notes from the cold draw of nuts and cedar. Through the nose there is a hint of chicory on the finish and the nuttiness becomes defined with similarities to that of cashews.
As we smoke the center portion of the Cigar of the Year, the Recluse Amadeus Habano Reserva continues to showcase a delectable chicory that is more defined and the dominant profile. As we move past the half way point the cigar begins to transition some with a cherry like sweetness and subtle pepper notes through the nose.
As the last third comes to a close the notes are tasty and defined. Cedar with a hint of caramel and some earth on the finish that is enhanced on the retrohale of the cigar.
The Burn: According to the company all Recluse cigars go through 8 fermentation cycles over the course of 2 full years and are rolled Entubar, the old Cuban way. The result is a balanced smoke, full of flavor with a perfect draw. Yup, that about some things up. The razor thin combustion line reveals a light by slightly flaky ash that holds for a third at a time. The cigar remained lit for the 1 hour and 45 minute smoking experience and the burn was perfect.
The Finish: When I first smoked this cigar on its release I knew it was something special. It stood out in a crowded field of new releases. It might not have the pomp and circumstance of many other cigar brands but that is not a reason to look past this cigar. It’s balanced, rich, flavorful, consistent and a worthy winner of Cigar of the Year.
Score: 95
Price: $7.69 / $157.99
Recluse Amadeus Habana Reserva
Recluse Amadeus Habana Reserva Foot
Recluse Amadeus Habana Reserva Burn
Cigar of the Year
