Quick Smoke: Espinosa Habano No. 5

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

Erik Espinosa announced last year that he was tweaking the blend on his eponymous line, as well as redoing the packaging. The result is well worth checking out: a spicy, flavorful cigar that lets the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper shine with the Nicaraguan binder and filler, all at an everyday price (the three sizes run from $6.75 to $7.50). While not overly complex, there are some flavor shifts as the spice intensity rises and falls a bit, while cedar and a burned coffee notes come and go. Construction and draw are excellent.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: Espinosa Cigars