Final Thoughts: Both samples of this cigar smoked beautifully. I could enjoy this one any time of day, with coffee in the morning or a nice pour of bourbon after supper. Strength was towards the plus side, but for me personally, it was a spot on medium across the board. This was certainly a cigar I highly recommend and was a nice change of pace from what I typically smoke. Box worthy for sure!
Pairing Recommendations:After apple pie, Bourbon, Light Lager, Fireball Whiskey, Hot Tomales Candy, Brandy, Iced Coffee (with Cream and Sugar), Caramel Cream candy
Breakdown of My “Overall Enjoyment” Total:
Feel in the hand: 13/15
Ash Strength: 5/5
Versatility (pairings, time of day): 10/10
Appearance: 5/5
Pepper Scale: 7/10
Box Worthy: 5/5
The Luciano Cigars we know today began as a nonprofit initiative in Estelí, Nicaragua, that was established to provide fair wage jobs in cigar manufacturing. After falling in love with the process, Ace Prime Cigars was founded in 2019 and formed an alliance with Crowned Heads. Now, Luciano Cigars represents the next phase as an independent and fully vertical operation. Led by co-founders Luciano Meirelles and Tiago Splitter, the company has taken control of every process. From growing and sourcing tobacco to hand-rolling in Estelí and distribution in West Palm Beach, FL, Luciano now handles it all. The Pichardo Cigars brand has been renamed Tiago Cigars.
Wrapper: Habano (Nicaragua) / Binder: Habano (Nicaragua) / Filler: Nicaraguan & Dominican
Vitola: Toro / Size: 6 x 52
Factory: Luciano Tabacos SA / Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Raisins
Molasses, Red Pepper
Baking Spices, Nougat
Before light-up, I can’t help but notice the flawless wrapper and perfectly executed triple cap. The first few puffs don’t quite smack me in the face with flavor, however the draw and smoke output is perfect. Further into the first third, I get a lot of baking spices, but not at all overpowering. Cinnamon and nutmeg delicately coat my entire palate. The retrohale to this point has been rather tame, but a hint of red pepper is starting to show. Heading into the second third, a little caramel sweetness comes through to join the baking spices.
Perfect burn and draw thus far, as I get into the second third. You can really tell this cigar is quality. The same notes continue, but ramp up a touch. Cinnamon, nutmeg and caramel lead the way. The one real shift is with the retrohale; red pepper is bursting through the nose. A welcomed addition to the experience.
The final third really starts to bring everything together. A general fruitiness is poking through and with the baking spices has me tasting apple pie. Maybe drizzle some caramel on there too. And then if you want the polar opposite flavor, the retrohale is a beautifully spicy red pepper. Draw and burn has remained perfect as this cigar comes to close.
