Anyone ever tried these?

[ajgagnon]

I'm heading to France in a few weeks for a family visit in the Lot et Garonne departement (between Bergerac and Cahors). The last time I was there I found a French cigar called Navarre. http://cigare-navarre.com/en/ Has anyone tried these?

I can only remember it vaguely... thinking about making a special trip to the Pau area to check out the 'maison de tabac'.

[Colt45]

Here's a few comments on these:

Link

[ajgagnon]

Thanks, Colt! I should have guessed someone had brought it up here!

I remember it being an ok cigar but not top shelf, but I'll see if I can find another... I love the idea. Like launching a winery. Wish I could launch my own one day, but that won't be likely in Canada!

[Colt45]

I hope you'll share your thoughts if you try them again - have a great trip!

[Hypersomniac]

I love the big "SMOKING KILLS" image at the bottom of every page of their website. It does look interesting and worth giving a try though.

[ajgagnon]

Just back from Navarrenx to my family's home near Villeneuve s/Lot. What a beautiful country... and Navarrenx, near Pau, is amazing. I may post some photos of the ramparts and an old cannon when I get home. The river through that town is beautiful, clear and looks suited to some fantastic waist-deep wading fly fishing.

Anyway, the Navarre is a very well made and pretty looking cigar. Authentic Cuban style rolling, triple cap, nice reddish wrapper. It's a great idea for someone to try to produce cigars well from other areas. I bought a few to take home and rest and see how they turn out. However, from the one petit robusto I tried, the terroir is absolutely lacking in depth (likely no volcanic elements). I would compare to a Fonseca, but they may be nice to have in the humi just for fun.

When I have had a chance to try their double corona I'll post pics and a short review. That damn cigar is 23 cm long!

[ajgagnon]

I would like to amend my previous comment just in case I have been too harsh on the terroir of the Navarre. I am now sitting outside enjoying an ERDM Choix Supreme, which I brought with me to France, and in these conditions I am finding the flavours muted. Likely the same conditions affected the Navarre... high humidity, youth, etc. I should say that apart from the obvious lack of 'Cuban twang', I enjoyed the Navarre. Just three rollers they have! And to make a DC of that size with such good construction... impressive.