Today we smoke the Via Havana which is a cigar from Costa Rica. It’s limited to just 200 accounts nationwide to control the production and make sure the cigars meet the high standards set by Steven Adib of Cuba Rica cigars. It’s a cigar that I never heard of until I moved to New England but I have smoked on a regular basis since I was introduced to them.
Cigar: Via Havana
Country of Origin: Costa Rica
Wrapper: Ecuador Corojo
Binder: Not Disclosed
Filler: Not Disclosed
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Vitola: Toro (El Morro)
The Look: Packaged in wooden cabinet style boxes the Via Havana is probably a cigar I would not of smoked back in the day. I will be the first to admit, I profiled my cigars based on the band or the box. Today though, I am open to trying anything at least twice because lets face it the first time you smoke a cigar your taste buds might be slightly off. As for the cigar, it features a gorgeous reddish-brown wrapper with a shaggy foot which I love for the ease of lighting. There are some visible veins but none that take away from the oily nature of a cigar that looks promising.
The Notes: The cold draw of the cigar offers notes of figs and a hint of honey while the foot serves up the slightest hints of mocha. In my opinion a shaggy foot need not be toasted, so after a quick light I was treated to some warm spices that are synonymous with a corojo wrapper along with some nuttiness. The retrohale introduces the slightest of honey notes and a subtle spice.
In the second third of this incredible smoke the spices remain and there is a note that reminds me of a steak that is a little well done on the surface but cooked to perfection on the inside.
The last third of the smoke continues down the road of the last third with roasted nuts and a slight honey on the finish while the warm spices remain through the nose.
The Finish: As I mentioned at the start of the reivew, the Via Havana is available in close to 200 accounts nationwide making it a boutique cigar that is overlooked in the class which I propose be renamed. What was originally known as boutiques should be renamed the social media group and cigars that are limited in production be deemed the true boutiques. Regardless of what you want to call this cigar, I call it humidor worthy.
Score: 92
Price: $8.99 / $159.99
