Santa Clara – No 4 Special Edition (2004)

Now i managed to get hold of a box these, thank Tom. I have been wanting to try one of the Santa Clara’s ever since I saw the Magnum. Not really wanting to try and smoke a 18 ½” cigar, I was glad that Tor had a few boxes of these left. Rolled in 2004, these Mexican Puros should have aged well (read on to find out). After a little digging around on the net I found out some more information on these.

“This cigar is the result of a mixture that combines unique, since we first Piloto Cubano with Morrón of San Andres to give it that special flavor, wrapped in a Connecticut wrapper.”

Rolled in : Mexico
Wrapper : Connecticut
Binder : Mexican
Filler : Mexican
Size: 5″ x 44

The cigars have a rich aged aroma to them, almost dry and sweet grass. The wrapper are slightly toothy, and look very fine indeed. The filler looks dark and well packed. The cut revealed more of the dark filler, my initial impression on the strength of this cigar, started to change. The pre light draw was as easy as a Sunday morning and had the taste of herby, fruity goodness. The light was a sinch and I was soon in business. The first few draws where a little bland, medium tobacco taste with a subtle earthiness. As the 1/3 progressed the flavours bloomed. It began with a little tanginess, and a slight sweet fruity side. All the time the smoke was thick and creamy. No trouble drawing and a prefect burn.

The middle third saw the cigar really come to life, more sweetness and very prominent herby side. The fruity flavours also grew, blending with the herbs beautifully. Oh boy was I enjoying this cigar. The smoke remained easy to draw and so creamy i couldn’t believe it. The final run saw the cigar take on a new style, less creamy and loosing its sweetness. The fruity side left with the sweetness, but the herbs remained. A coffee/cocoa bean flavour began to grow and continued to develop all the way too finger burning (sucks thumb and index finger). The lack of sweetness and the bean saw the smoke get a little bitter. The bitterness like the sweetness blending seamlessly with the herby flavours.

Wow what a cigar, I had to stop my self from having a second straight afterwards. The flavours reminded me a little of a cross between a Cohiba and Avo Uvezian. Not only did the flavours really tickle my taste bud, also the dynamics of the cigar kept me enthralled from match to ash. I don’t think there is many of these left, I have a box, the shop has ½ box left and Justin has one. I may be able to get one or two more boxes, which I will do for the shop very soon. So if your in the UK and want to try one of these, and I think you should drop us a line at the shop
www.gauntleys.com
0115 9110555
tobacco@gauntleys.com

Ratings

Construction .. 9/10
Burn .. 10/10
Flavour (1/3) .. 9/10
Flavour (2/3) .. 10/10
Flavour (3/3) .. 9/10

Overall .. 9.5/10