Information:
Country: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua (Habana
2000)
Filler / Binder: Nicaragua
Length: 6.2”
Ring: 52
Cost: $6.00
Appearance (0-20): Many of the Limitada line carry the same style
of dual banding with the Limitada band separate from the year. This cigar is no
exception. Silver, gold, red, and white grace these bands and look solid on the
light landscape of the Habana 2000 wrapper. It’s a decent looking stick for the
most part, thought here are a few larger veins that are a little concerning. Thankfully
they seem to be closer to the cap. Otherwise, it looks decent, though if it
were not a limited run, I may never have picked it up.
Score: 16
Construction (0-20):
Slightly soft to the tough, the cigar feels perfectly packed. The cut and burn
completely verify that feeling. The cut (as shown in the picture) reveals
nearly no excess tobacco and (also shown) the ash held on very well. There was
some slight deviation on the burn, but it was slow and cool with a great pull.
No complaints on this one.
Score: 19
Strength (0-20): Marked
as a full strength sort of cigar… its close. Consider this one closer to the
full range, but only tiptoeing into it.
Score: 17
Flavor (0-20): Initially
it’s a little on the bland side, but within just a few puffs there is a nice
pepper blast that intensifies with each draw. The backdrop of cedar has some
slight bitterness to it, but it works decently well. As it progresses, the
bitterness fades a bit and leather and toast notes poke through. But the taste
is quickly reversed, bringing back the bitter nature, though it was a bit more
on the earthy side. Not quite one dimensional, but close.
Score: 16
Value (0-20): $6 for
a stick like this isn’t too bad. Its solid overall with some decent (though
somewhat one dimensional) tastes.
Score: 16
Additional Notes: Paired
with water at in my garage. It’s all about ambiance!
Overall (0-100): 5 Vegas typically does a pretty good job with
their Limitada lines, though this one in particular didn’t do it for me.
Overall it’s a solid cigar with an outstanding construction, but I would be
looking for something a little more flavorful… whereas this one is very much a
one trick pony. The pepper and slight bittery tobacco flavors actually play
well on each other, but there is little more than that aside from some nuances.
For the price, I would veer toward some other sticks but all in all the price isn’t
terrible. My advice – put an extra couple of bucks aside and upgrade to a
better stick – the 5 Vegas Limitada 2008. That is the year you want.
Score: 84
