Stogie Reviews: Quesada Tributo Julio
30 Sep 2010
With an emotional back-story, a newly introduced hybrid wrapper, and lots of publicity surrounding its release earlier this year, the Quesada Tributo is unquestionably an interesting cigar. Fortunately, it’s also a good one.
This four-vitola line was created by the latest generation of this tobacco family as it continues to move its Matasa operation from behind-the-scenes work to putting its name on cigars. In a nod to the past, they named each size for a family member or close associate, three of whom died in a 2002 airplane crash.
To make the Tributo taste something special, the Quesadas used a hybrid wrapper created from four tobaccos and grown in Ecuador. Then, they packed it full of strong ligero leaf. Even the binder is a Honduran ligero leaf, with the filler a combination of leaves from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
I’ve been smoking the robusto called the Julio (5 x 50) after Julio Fajardo, a family friend and Matasa executive killed in the crash. It’s a standout cigar, with a dark wrapper and an enticing pre-light aroma. And it makes a statement from the first mouthful of smoke: spicy and strong.
About halfway down, the stick begins to change. The spice level drops, replaced by a darker, heavier taste laced with a little coffee. I appreciate the change but I enjoyed the second half a little less than the first.
When you pick up one of these cigars, you might be concerned about the draw because of its solid, heavy feel. But every one I’ve been through has had a near-perfect draw. I can’t say the same for the burn. As is often the case with ligero-laden cigars, getting an even, steady burn is not a given. That’s true with the Tributo, though most of those I’ve smoked have been OK. So far, only one has required numerous touch-ups and fiddling.
At under $7, this is a good cigar, and one I’d recommend, especially to fans of Pepin Garcia’s creations. On the Stogie Guys rating scale, I give it four stogies out of five.
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photo credit: SAG Imports
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
This is a nice review of a nice cigar. I've enjoyed these immensely…and they're exactly as you say they are — spicy at first and espresso-like down the stretch.
Thanks for the review. I cannot but agree with everything said. So far I tried the Seleccion Espana robusto, Jalapa and the Tributo Julio. The Jalapa was a disaster due to poor rolling and almost plugged. The Espana redeemed the brand name but these are messy sticks when it comes to the ash, all sprouting and flowing! Ironically the Julio was the least messy of them all! So a nice change of messy ash! And I agree It's a more subtle ligero experience.