Cuaba Piramides pre-release review

[kjellfrick]

CUABA PIRAMIDE EDICION LIMITADA 2008

Gino gifted me this cigar in Nice this summer and I've kept it at 65 % humidity since then. It's a pre-release cigar that Gino received in Havana this spring.

When I took the Cuaba out of its ziplock bag I was met with the most extraordinary smell of stable and ammonia I've ever experienced. I was on the verge of putting it back into the bag, but since I really wanted to test it before bying a box i thought "what the hell"!

From looks alone this was a winner with a lovely dark colorado wrapper with plenty of oils seeping out. Very appetizing!

17.10 I cut the head to a diameter of 6-7 mm and received a perfect draw. Lighting it was sooo easy, as if it was eager to burn!

The first puffs are shockingly peppery in the nose and that's all I can sense, really. Luckily it soon settles down and I get an interesting mix of grassiness, ammonia and pepper that is better than it sounds like.

17.20 The grassiness now comes into the foreground and I enjoy this part. Still hints of ammonia in there, but also making for an interesting mix. Go figure...I never enjoyed THAT before... Much calmer tastewise now, better balance.

17.30 Salt, yes definitely salt! Associations of gunpowder or salmiak for a while. Burns a bit uneven but no worries.

17.40 Surprisingly I get notes of ginger mixed in with the grassiness, and they get stronger. The smoke is fuller, the balance is good and right now this is a very good cigar!

18.00 Even fuller now, spicier too. The Cuaba actually reminds me of a stronger incarnation of my first Edmundo Dantes from last year. gradually the finish is becoming sharper though, a tongue burning sensation.

18.15 Nicotine level alarm bells ringing now. Strong sheit this an d I wonder if I'll be able to finish it? The taste has mutated to charred wood and it's getting more and more astringent. Not good...but I'm not giving up just yet!

18.30 Even more astringent now and I purge it, which gives me back the spiciness for a little while. Just a little while mind you... The return of the charred wood was just around the corner...

18.40 This is it. I capitulate. Too much bitterness now to continue.

In conclusion; this was an interesting cigar that offered surprising taste combinations during the first half of its length. A perfect construction and the enjoyable ride in the first half increases the points given, but the early bitterness takes away some. I give it 88 points but with a few years in the humi to take away the bitterness I think I'd easily rate this a 90+. Thanks Gino for the opportunity to test this!

[Don Candido]

The first one of these I had got me dizzy from too much nicotine. I have not had that happen to me in a long time.

[Jimmy2]

Nice review and it really is a nice looking cigar..

[shrink]

Superb review, Kjell. Your experience of this cigar vs. mine are so different that it cannot be explained as a matter of individual taste. They sound like different cigars. I'll revisit one in a few months.

[Colt45]

Kjell, great review! Based on reviews of the cigar as released, it does seem the pre-release may be a different blend.

So, what are your thoughts on a box?

[kjellfrick]

Colt. I'll have to smoke one from the recent release before decising anything. I have one in the humi, will fire it up soon...

[mkz]

Great review Kjell. Looking forward to hear about the regular production in comparison...

[El Presidente]

Thoroughly enjoyabe review Kjell

I have little doubt that what we tasted in Havana back in February 08 is essentially different to what was released as production. Same family, share some traits but different cigars. Same goes fro Monte Sublime and Partagas SD5.

[Fatshotbud]

Thanks for the review!

[crasmith]

Thanks for the amazing review.