Quick Smoke: Curivari Achilles Eternos
18 Dec
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.â€
After being nearly uniformly impressed by the cigars I’ve smoked by the Nicaraguan-based Curivari brand, I’ve been making a point of getting acquainted with their remaining offerings. Achilles Eternos, introduced in 2013, is a softly box-pressed torpedo (6.5 x 52, $9.50) utilizing all Nicaraguan tobacco, including an attractive light brown wrapper. Once lit, I was somewhat surprised to find flavors that can best be described as grassy and raw. There is also wood and roasted notes, but too often they were overshadowed by unpleasant vegetal flavors and a notable lack of balance. Even with adequate construction, I cannot recommend the Curivari Achilles Eternos based on my first experience.
Verdict = Sell.
–Patrick S
photo credit: Stogie Guys
1) 
Now is the time for “Top Cigars of the Year†lists. Lots of them. In fact, a “List of the Best Lists†list is probably not far off. (We don’t have plans for one this year, but we reserve the right to change our minds.) They’re fun, but I don’t pay too much attention to them. Probably because I’m fortunate enough to try most new cigar blends that appear on various lists so I can draw my own conclusions. In fact, I’d estimate I’ve tried in excess of 50 new cigars this year (not including multiple vitolas of the same blend). If you feel strongly about whether we should compose a 2013 list or not, please let us know.
Curivari began making cigars for the European market, introducing its Selección Privada in 2003. Going head-to-head with Cuban cigars on their turf obviously was a gutsy move for a Nicaraguan cigar maker. But in only a few years, the company’s reputation was expanding about as quickly as its lines.
1) Davidoff is celebrating 2013 being the year of the snake with a Davidoff 2013 “Year Of The Snake†Edition. The Churchill (7 x 48) features an Ecuador “701†wrapper around a San Vicente Seco binder and a combination of Piloto Seco, San Vicente Ligero, Piloto Viso, and hybrid 192 Seco/Yamasá filler. The cigar sells for $29.90 or $240 for a box of 8. Only 4,500 boxes are being produced.
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief