Stogie Reviews: Tesa Cabinet 312 Series R
12 Jul 2010
Only a select few cigar outfits have impressed me like Tesa, a boutique manufacturer run from a fashionable lounge in Chicago. From the Gran Cru and the Havanitas to the Vintage Especial and the Series Finos, I’m a big fan of these naked, tiger-endorsed blends made by atypical cigar maker Chris Kelly.
“I’m a 24-year-old Irish kid from the South Side of Chicago,†Kelly told me in an interview. “My father bought a building in Nicaragua and offered to let me make cigars. At 18 I said, ‘Hell yes!’ and have been doing it ever since.â€
Listening to Kelly talk about the challenges of blending and the difficulties of operating as an outsider in Nicaragua is an eye-opening experience. But no one can doubt that he caught on to the trade quickly. Tesa has grown a loyal following, earned a well-deserved reputation for quality and consistency, and scored very well in our reviews.
The Cabinet 312 blend is no exception. Named for Chicago’s best-known area code, this line sports a criollo ’98 maduro leaf wrapped around Nicaraguan tobaccos from Estelà and Jalapa. It is available in five cifuentes-capped vitolas and one torpedo size called the Series G.
I sampled two Series Rs (4.75 x 52) for this review. Each had a textured, somewhat lumpy surface but was devoid of any real physical imperfections. The tightly packed robusto is firm in the hand and draws well on the cold taste. Pre-light notes of sweet wood are subtle.
In the spring Kelly told me this cigar is one of his favorites and among his best-sellers. It’s easy to see why from the first puff. The Cabinet 312’s full-bodied flavor is of warm spice and dry cocoa with sugary, creamy undertones. While it has characteristics of other criollo-wrapped smokes, the Series R is more refined than others I can recall in terms of balance and complexity.
As the solid gray ash builds off the foot, the burn line tends to wave down the cigar. A few touch-ups are needed here and there to keep things running on schedule, but construction is otherwise top-notch and worthy of a smoke of this depth and flavor.
It goes without saying that criollo fans need to add the Cabinet 312 to their must-try list. Seek out the $10 Series R for a fine example of everything a great criollo cigar should be. For its memorable, complex profile that’s spicy yet smooth, this Tesa creation earns four and a half stogies out of five.
[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]
photo credit: Stogie Guys
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
I'm a regular at Tesa and I think your review of this particular stick is spot on. I'm also a big fan of their Shaman series. It's a wonderful oily maduro and comes in a bigger gauge which provides for a good 90 minutes of pure heaven. Great review and great site..
When you boys gonna come back to Chicago for a mini-herf at Tesa?
This cigar is brilliant. I had a chance to try it at their lounge in Chicago in May. It is one of the best Criollo wrapped cigars that I have ever had. The owner was terrific to talk to and it is a pleasure to support the "little guy". Great job Tesa!
can you only get it at the chicago store. is there a web site to go to?
Thanks for the support guys! Glad you all love the sticks. You go directly to our website at http://www.tesacigars.com or call (312) 929-3075.