Origin : Nicaragua Format : Belicoso Size : 5 1/2 x 52 Wrapper : Nicaragua Sun Grown Filler : Nicaragua Binder : Nicaragua Hand-Made Price : $8 each
This week I decided to review a new(ish) member of the Pepin Garcia portfolio. The Flor de las Antillas is a hand rolled Nicaraguan puro that is being made to honor the Garcia families ties to Cuba. In 2012, this cigar earned the first spot on Cigar Aficionado’s “Cigars of the Year” list. The Flor de las Antillas are available in boxes of 20 and come in the following four sizes:
Toro 6 x 52
Toro Grande 6 ½ x 56
Belicoso 5 ½ x 52
Robusto 5 x 50
On to the review…
Upon visual inspection my Flor de las Antillas Belicoso bore a nice oily brown wrapper however lots of thick veins were present. Point on the cap was very well constructed and the cigar had a semi-box press to it. Foot of the cigar had a red ribbon placed around it and the band was very detailed and colorful. Pre-light smell was not easily defined but I was able to pick up notes of chocolate and slight barnyard. Cold draw was tight with no true defining tastes except a bit of spice on the lips.
Pre-light score: 8 pts.
The Flor de las Antillas opened in the medium full range with a rich tobacco and coca tastes that left a reminiscence of spice on the tongue. Ash was a very white tower and the burn a bit wavy. Aroma was a wonderful old musty, aged scent and I must say the entire first third was not overly complex but very enjoyable!
The second third of the cigar had to be immediately touched up as the burn became too jagged. The chocolate tastes had certainly detailed themselves and the cigar was still in the medium-full range. A hint of dry wood crept into the taste profile near the end of the second third and the aroma remained wonderfully intoxicating.
The final third of my Flor de las Antillas was by far the least enjoyable part of this smoking experience. Tastes in the final third were a little harsh and detailed a spicy, flinty, burnt character. This could be summed up as the cigar needing more sitting (aging) due to young tobacco. Don’t get me wrong, the cigar wasn’t terrible, it just didn’t finish as strong as it started. Burn remained wavy until the end and the aroma great throughout.
Smoking score: 7 pts.
To sum it up I would say this is another great cigar from Pepin Garcia and My Father Cigars. I do suggest you try the Flor de las Antillas as I am looking forward to trying other vitolas in the brand. I certainly will be purchasing some more of the belicoso style to put down. Hopefully I can calm that final third to match the rest of the smoking experience.
If I am not mistaken the #1 cigar was a toro and not a belicoso. All in all I think the criticisms are somewhat accurate but to critical, epecially flavor and construction. This is a great cigar for the price, in fact beating a lot of over priced dominican cigars
Wade Wurzer
–
Great smoke for the buck.
BigDaddy
–
Best cigars I have had. Very smooth and I like the smell of it. Highly recommend this flor de las Antilles cigars. I have had several kinds like hananos and cubans but to me this is my all time favorite. Fire burns strong with my brandy.
Eduardo
–
This review is much more inline with my experience, other reviews made this cigar sound much better than it was. beautifully constructed, the burn was a little disappointing, that burnt taste is kinda horrible…
BigSmoke
–
Aficionado had me pumped up about these for months. Finally got down to the USA to pick these up. Summary; Americans don’t get Cuban tobacco so no wonder they rated it so high. Hated the burn, everything posted above is true, very disappointed but will say it didn’t taste bad just expected more for #1.
Sticks of MN
–
I have one of these robutos sitting in my humidor waiting for a nice day for me to light it up. I am looking forward to seeing what my experience will be.
Kafir
–
Toro – terrible cigar. A bit hollow, loose draw.
Last 3rd bitter.
Those who voted Cigar of the year gotta get their throat examine.
After that I had a casa torano, beat it by a country mile.
William
–
I strongly suggest you try the robusto next. The toro that won Cigar of the Year is not worthy. The robusto IS. There is very little comparison with the toro.
Kaleehb
Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Belicoso
Size : 5 1/2 x 52
Wrapper : Nicaragua Sun Grown
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : $8 each
This week I decided to review a new(ish) member of the Pepin Garcia portfolio. The Flor de las Antillas is a hand rolled Nicaraguan puro that is being made to honor the Garcia families ties to Cuba. In 2012, this cigar earned the first spot on Cigar Aficionado’s “Cigars of the Year” list. The Flor de las Antillas are available in boxes of 20 and come in the following four sizes:
On to the review…
Upon visual inspection my Flor de las Antillas Belicoso bore a nice oily brown wrapper however lots of thick veins were present. Point on the cap was very well constructed and the cigar had a semi-box press to it. Foot of the cigar had a red ribbon placed around it and the band was very detailed and colorful. Pre-light smell was not easily defined but I was able to pick up notes of chocolate and slight barnyard. Cold draw was tight with no true defining tastes except a bit of spice on the lips.
Pre-light score: 8 pts.
The Flor de las Antillas opened in the medium full range with a rich tobacco and coca tastes that left a reminiscence of spice on the tongue. Ash was a very white tower and the burn a bit wavy. Aroma was a wonderful old musty, aged scent and I must say the entire first third was not overly complex but very enjoyable!
The second third of the cigar had to be immediately touched up as the burn became too jagged. The chocolate tastes had certainly detailed themselves and the cigar was still in the medium-full range. A hint of dry wood crept into the taste profile near the end of the second third and the aroma remained wonderfully intoxicating.
The final third of my Flor de las Antillas was by far the least enjoyable part of this smoking experience. Tastes in the final third were a little harsh and detailed a spicy, flinty, burnt character. This could be summed up as the cigar needing more sitting (aging) due to young tobacco. Don’t get me wrong, the cigar wasn’t terrible, it just didn’t finish as strong as it started. Burn remained wavy until the end and the aroma great throughout.
Smoking score: 7 pts.
To sum it up I would say this is another great cigar from Pepin Garcia and My Father Cigars. I do suggest you try the Flor de las Antillas as I am looking forward to trying other vitolas in the brand. I certainly will be purchasing some more of the belicoso style to put down. Hopefully I can calm that final third to match the rest of the smoking experience.
Overall Experience score: 8 pts.
Flor de las Antillas Rating
Pre-Light: 8 pts.
Smoking: 7 pts.
Overall Experience: 8 pts.
TOTAL: 23 pts.
[sz]flor antillas[/sz]
kerry ryan
If I am not mistaken the #1 cigar was a toro and not a belicoso. All in all I think the criticisms are somewhat accurate but to critical, epecially flavor and construction. This is a great cigar for the price, in fact beating a lot of over priced dominican cigars
Wade Wurzer
Great smoke for the buck.
BigDaddy
Best cigars I have had. Very smooth and I like the smell of it. Highly recommend this flor de las Antilles cigars. I have had several kinds like hananos and cubans but to me this is my all time favorite. Fire burns strong with my brandy.
Eduardo
This review is much more inline with my experience, other reviews made this cigar sound much better than it was. beautifully constructed, the burn was a little disappointing, that burnt taste is kinda horrible…
BigSmoke
Aficionado had me pumped up about these for months. Finally got down to the USA to pick these up. Summary; Americans don’t get Cuban tobacco so no wonder they rated it so high. Hated the burn, everything posted above is true, very disappointed but will say it didn’t taste bad just expected more for #1.
Sticks of MN
I have one of these robutos sitting in my humidor waiting for a nice day for me to light it up. I am looking forward to seeing what my experience will be.
Kafir
Toro – terrible cigar. A bit hollow, loose draw.
Last 3rd bitter.
Those who voted Cigar of the year gotta get their throat examine.
After that I had a casa torano, beat it by a country mile.
William
I strongly suggest you try the robusto next. The toro that won Cigar of the Year is not worthy. The robusto IS. There is very little comparison with the toro.