Fellow CP'ers, recently I was introduced to the Tabacos de la Cordillera website. At one level, they appear to be just another handmade boutique cigar. However, the website provides insight into a fascinating back story regarding the origins of the tobacco strains used in their cigars. You can read more about the background of their tobaccos here. In a nutshell, this vega is backed by someone with both the technical expertise and experience in the cigar industry to support an understanding of the processes involved in the production of Havana cigars.
Normally, I would be quite skeptical. Products like the Pinar 3000 series and A/R Robaina that advertise pre-embargo Cuban tobacco in their products peg my "BS-ometer" deep into the red zone. However, Tabacos de la Cordillera seek to revisit the tobaccos and cigars of old from a new perspective.
Naturally, my curiosity is piqued. I find myself wondering how the genetic legacy of Cuban tobacco strains from an era long gone might contribute to a premium cigar. How do the intricacies of the production process figure into the equation? What can a master blender do with this heirloom tobacco?
Well, I want to answer these questions and I'd like to find a couple of curious brothers of the leaf to join me in this endeavor. I will organize the taste test and collate the information. Here is my initial proposal:
5 total participants (myself, 2 picked by me, 2 from respondents to this thread)
5 or 6 cigars each representing the following blends, robustos
Cumbres de Puriscal Emerald - mild/medium bodied, sweet overtone
Cumbres de Puriscal Gold - mild/medium bodied, nutty cocoa, lightly earthy and tangy
Cumbres de Puriscal Silver - medium/full bodied, light-sweet with strong earthy overtones
Here's the nice part.
I've been in communication with the folks at Tabacos de la Cordillera and they have offered to provide all the cigars for this testing free of charge. :thumbs:
The idea is still forming so any suggestions would be welcomed. Please let me know what you think.
Wilkey
Edit to add list of invited reviewers! **********************************
In no particular order...
1. Ginseng
2. Blinded By Science
3. jus10
4. Mr. Peat
5. Smokelaw1
Thank you to all who offered to participate. Those who were not selected for this round will be offered first crack at the follow-up review of the Purisco lineup. These cigars will have all new wrappers and include the potent Negro line so I think you will enjoy smoking.
Edit to add photo of the cigar samplers **********************************
Gentlemen,
The cigars arrived today! Much to my chagrin, the 3 x 3 sampler packs made their trip from Costa Rica protected by nothing more than a few sheets of wrapping paper. Holy cow. No box. No padding. Just wrapping paper. As would be expected, there was a little damage. A few cigars were crunched on the foot but not horribly so. Still, I'm surprised that they were not reduced to cellophaned bags of tobacco scraps.
In any case, I will rest them a day or two in the recovery cooler and them get them out to the reviewers to do their stuff. I will include a note with instructions in your package.
Wilkey
Normally, I would be quite skeptical. Products like the Pinar 3000 series and A/R Robaina that advertise pre-embargo Cuban tobacco in their products peg my "BS-ometer" deep into the red zone. However, Tabacos de la Cordillera seek to revisit the tobaccos and cigars of old from a new perspective.
Naturally, my curiosity is piqued. I find myself wondering how the genetic legacy of Cuban tobacco strains from an era long gone might contribute to a premium cigar. How do the intricacies of the production process figure into the equation? What can a master blender do with this heirloom tobacco?
Well, I want to answer these questions and I'd like to find a couple of curious brothers of the leaf to join me in this endeavor. I will organize the taste test and collate the information. Here is my initial proposal:
5 total participants (myself, 2 picked by me, 2 from respondents to this thread)
5 or 6 cigars each representing the following blends, robustos
Cumbres de Puriscal Emerald - mild/medium bodied, sweet overtone
Cumbres de Puriscal Gold - mild/medium bodied, nutty cocoa, lightly earthy and tangy
Cumbres de Puriscal Silver - medium/full bodied, light-sweet with strong earthy overtones
Here's the nice part.
I've been in communication with the folks at Tabacos de la Cordillera and they have offered to provide all the cigars for this testing free of charge. :thumbs:
The idea is still forming so any suggestions would be welcomed. Please let me know what you think.
Wilkey
Edit to add list of invited reviewers! **********************************
In no particular order...
1. Ginseng
2. Blinded By Science
3. jus10
4. Mr. Peat
5. Smokelaw1
Thank you to all who offered to participate. Those who were not selected for this round will be offered first crack at the follow-up review of the Purisco lineup. These cigars will have all new wrappers and include the potent Negro line so I think you will enjoy smoking.
Edit to add photo of the cigar samplers **********************************
Gentlemen,
The cigars arrived today! Much to my chagrin, the 3 x 3 sampler packs made their trip from Costa Rica protected by nothing more than a few sheets of wrapping paper. Holy cow. No box. No padding. Just wrapping paper. As would be expected, there was a little damage. A few cigars were crunched on the foot but not horribly so. Still, I'm surprised that they were not reduced to cellophaned bags of tobacco scraps.
In any case, I will rest them a day or two in the recovery cooler and them get them out to the reviewers to do their stuff. I will include a note with instructions in your package.
Wilkey
