Stogie Reviews: Cupido Criollo Commemorative
7 Aug 2008
In March I gave the Cupido Criollo Corto a well-deserved, glowing review as “one of the best sub-$3 cigar experiences I’ve ever had.†I’ve gone through plenty more since then because of the Corto’s delicious taste, excellent construction, bargain price, and short format.
The Commemorative vitola boasts the same blend of tobaccos—a criollo wrapper and Cuban-seed habano long leaf binders and fillers—in a larger, 5 inch by 54 ring gauge layout. Also a Nicaraguan puro from the Cupido Vegas field of EstelÃ, Cuban Crafters produces only 9,000 individually numbered boxes of 25 annually for under $70 each.
These smooth, oily, relatively dark criollos are box-pressed and sold as heady, deep cigars that are naturally sweet, spicy, and creamy. Take a few moments to enjoy the dark cocoa notes before striking the first match.
I’m convinced, by the way, that wooden matches are the ideal way to light cigars like the Corto and the Commemorative. The tiny foot makes it easy to establish an even light, and torch-brandishers will have a tendency to ignite more tobacco than necessary, a mistake that’s prone to ruining burns.
One drawback of this cigar’s unique shape is the tight draw you’ll experience on the first few puffs. Don’t worry; everything opens up nicely after a few patient minutes with lots of spice and a dry, woody taste. After the first inch or so the flavor begins to resemble black coffee and roasted nuts. I think seasoned cigar veterans will really enjoy this full-bodied (albeit one-sided) phase and noting how it smoothly transitions into a more balanced, floral taste in the last two inches.
I found few physical imperfections across the seven Commemoratives I smoked for this review. Expect a fairly stable ash and a burn that requires a few touch-ups here and there.
The Commemorative may not rate as exceptionally well as the Corto viotla in my book—namely due to the Corto’s virtually perfect combustion qualities—but it’s still another fine, under-priced smoke from the makers of Stogie Guys favorites like J.L. Salazar, Don Kiki (Brown and White), La Carolina, Cabinet Selection, and Cameroon. I give the Cupido Criollo Commemorative four stogies out of five.
[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. To purchase this cigar from a StogieGuys.com affiliate, click here.]
photo credit: Stogie Guys
I heard you on the radio here in Chicago not too long ago, Patrick A, and you said something like, "We write about Cuban Crafters so often that people probably think we're on their payroll."
Maybe some think that. But I've bought a few boxes on your recommendation (La Carolina Capitan and Cupido Criollo Corto) and they were just like you described. Simply fantastic and a great value! Keep up the good work.
Thank you for the comment. I would like to clarify for the record, though, that StogieGuys.com is in no way on Cuban Crafters' (or anyone else's) payroll.
We do review products created or sold by our advertisers or affiliates. We also accept free samples from manufacturers and retailers in order to provide readers with information on the widest range of cigars and cigar-related products.
But under no circumstances will the acceptance of product samples or advertising revenue influence our honest editorial decisions. We have no intentions to compromise the trust we have built with our loyal reader base.
I'm curious about the Cuban Crafters brands. If you were to recommend one as an introductory to this company, which brand and size would you choose? I realize it's like choosing your favorite child, but please just give me one choice.
I would suggest either the Don Kiki Brown Label or the Cupido Criollo Corto.
Both are medium to full bodied and fantastic values, particularly if you get them during their online specials.
Lisa B. –
On the question of which Cuban Crafters to try, I strongly recommend the Cameroon if you're a fan of Cameroon wrappers. Also, the CC web site has a list of retailers where you can pick up singles if there's one near you.
Enjoyed the review Patrick A! Not a very attractive looking cigar though but I'm glad it smoked better than it looks.
Quick question, in the review you said you smoked 7 of these guys for the review. Is that the typical number of cigars you smoke to review a cigar? I usually do 2-3. Just curious.
Keep up the great work!
Jerry-
I like to have four or five cigars on hand when I review a stick, but how many I actually need to smoke depends. Here's how I approach it:
I generally take notes on two sticks, then I like to have a third just to see if my observations hold. If I find that the cigar varies from stick to stick, then I'll go back and have a 4th or 5th cigar, and take notes on them as well.
At times, for whatever reason, (often because I'm enjoying them, or because I smoked others before) I end up in the 7 cigar range, and I will then incorporate any observations from them into the review as well.
On some occasions, due to limited access to the cigar or because it hasn't been released yet and I've been able to get a preview I will base a review on two sticks. Extremely rarely do I review based on just one, but at times it is that or no review at all so I do it.
If I've only smoked one or two, I always note it the review.