Stogie Reviews: La Carolina Capitan

With hopes of creating the finest cigar in Cuba, José Alonso established La Carolina in the 1840s. Over the brand’s 160 years of production, it isn’t surprising that many things have changed. Stewardship is now in the hands of Henry “Don Kiki” Berger. Production has shifted from Cuba to Nicaragua. And the brand name has even changed from La Carolina to Cupido and back.

For all these transformations, however, many elements of these boutique cigars remain the same. With only 7,000 boxes available each year, they are still “handmade in small batches with extraordinary attention to each and every detail.” And they still yield that floral, low nicotine taste that earned them accolades such as a 90 from Cigar Insider and an 89 in Cigar Aficionado.

The Capitan is a six inch by 52 ring gauge stick that sports an oily wrapper with just a few prominent veins. Sadly, my picture doesn’t do the attractive band justice, which features a Mona Lisa-style portrait of some undisclosed señorita.

Before the first puff, I noticed the wrapper leaves a sweet, berry-like taste on the lips. As the Keepers of the Flame pointed out last year, the sensation is similar to a Baccarat. I too never cared for such “flavored wrappers,” as the taste almost always takes away from – rather than adds to – the flavor of the tobacco.

But this torpedo-shaped Nicaraguan puro is quite different. The sweet taste of the wrapper is complimented by fruity notes and a bit of spicy leather. And, although I’ve never understood using the term “bouquet” to describe a cigar’s flavor, this one packs some deep floral tastes as well.

Despite a spongy feel, the draw is a bit tighter than average. But each puff still produces an abundance of delicious smoke. The other physical properties are on par, including a razor-sharp burn that stays true until the end and a white ash that’s just a tad too flakey.

When it’s all said and done, this is an excellent 60 minute smoke – especially when you consider that each Capitan will cost under $4.60 apiece when bought by the box at Cuban Crafters.

Considering their unique, complex flavor (and the fact that I just smoked my last one), I won’t be waiting long to pick up a few more. I give the La Carolina Capitan a noteworthy four and ½ out of five stogies.

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–Patrick A