Cigar Review: Kuuts Miró Momentos

Miró and its brethren brands—Placeres Reserva and Tabacalera Zapata—have only been in the U.S. market for about two years. But with longer histories in international markets, the brands are older and (globally) more popular than you might think.

As the U.S. distribution arm for Compañia Hondureña de Tabacos, Kuuts is working to expand the reach of this Honduran factory in America. The strategy has included a new line that capitalizes on the popularity of Nicaraguan tobacco—simply called the Nicaraguan Blend—and a few new vitolas.

One of the new vitolas is Momentos (4 x 48), a petit corona Miró format that was released in May 2014. It is the sixth Miró size (the first to measure less than 5.25 inches long). The other Miró sizes include Robusto (5.25 x 50), Toro (6 x 52), Torpedo (6.1 x 52), Gordos (6 x 60), and a limited Lancero (7.5 x 38).

Miró is “a balanced cigar with dominant notes of earth and sweet cream complemented by cocoa, spice, and nuts,” according to the Kuuts website. “With fillers from Nicaragua and Honduras, and employing a beautiful Sumatra wrapper, this medium-bodied cigar offers a delicious bittersweet combination.”

It’s hard to examine the aesthetics of the Miró Momentos without first removing the large band that covers much of the wrapper. Underneath the band is a firm, sturdy cigar with ample oils and tooth. The pre-light notes are heavy on earth and walnut.

I was expecting the draw to be stiff given the firmness of the cigar, the somewhat narrow ring gauge, and the tight cross-section of tobaccos visible at the foot and clipped head. Fortunately, the Momentos draws easily.

Once an even light is set, the initial profile is a full-bodied blend of bold espresso, black pepper spice, and a meaty char. Soon, only about a quarter of an inch in, the cigar mellows into the medium-bodied range as flavors of raisin, leather, and oak take center stage. At times, tastes of peanut and cream appear, and this is where the Momentos is most balanced, complex, and enjoyable. When these notes are not present, the cigar can be bitter or a little too rough around the edges.

With decent construction—the burn line requires a touch-up here and there to stay even—the Miró Momentos is a nice little smoke that will run you only $5.50. If only those nutty, sweet flavors played a more dominant (or more consistent) role in the overall profile. All things considered, this petit corona from Kuuts is worthy of a rating of three stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys