Happy Thursday, folks!
When I posted a picture of our A.C.E. Prime sampler on Instagram a little while back, we received lots of requests for more information. I’m happy to say that as of today, I’ve been able to experience every one of these and can share some feedback with everyone.
Pichardo Reserva Familiar Connecticut
I chose this cigar as only my third Pichardo experience – with my first two being the Crowned Heads' Juarez and Mil Dias crafted at Tabacalera Pichardo. To end the suspense, let me just say that I'll be taking a box of these home!
This Connecticut tasted more like a desert stick to me than anything else, expertly contrasted with a lingering pepper note. It was delightful, easy going, and kept my attention all the way until the nub. This cigar took me places!
Connecticut Tasting Notes: Pepper, Teddy Graham’s, Mild Cocoa, Brown Sugar, Cedar, Butter Toffee
Connecticut Intensity: Medium (barely)
Pairing Suggestion: Nicaraguan Coffee
Pichardo Reserva Familiar Habano
Changing the pace, the Habano felt more middle of the road to me. Rather than lean more towards one side of the wheelhouse or another, this blend kept me grounded and seemed to harmonize well.
This felt like a classic Habano blend to me, albeit a little earthier than I was expecting. I can see this cigar being well received by many demographics, but it was overshadowed by some of my favorites in this portfolio.
Habano Tasting Notes: Wood, Loamy Earth, Pepper, Simple Syrup, Leather
Habano Intensity: Medium
Pairing Suggestion: Four Roses Single Barrel or Diplomatico Rum
Pichardo Reserva Familiar San Andres
I’ve tasted a lot of San Andres blends in recent years, and I didn’t expect the profile that I got from this one. It led with pepper, cedar, and earth – and then followed up with what I could only describe as intermittent Caramel Popcorn notes. I also got some chalky, dark cocoa notes past the midway point – a bit more of what I expected from a San Andres wrapper.
I wouldn’t call this cigar complex, but there’s a certain kind of beauty in a steady profile as long as it’s in your wheelhouse. This cigar also had much more punch through the nose than most of the others in the sampler.
San Andres Tasting Notes: Pepper, Cedar, Earth, Caramel Popcorn, Baker’s Cocoa
San Andres Intensity: Medium+
Pairing Suggestion: Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout
Pichardo Clasico
Wow! Clasico was very appropriately named in my opinion because it’s an instant classic for this guy! I still can’t decide if I enjoyed this cigar or the Connecticut more, and I’ve been thinking about it for days. Generally, I’ve noticed that you can tell how much I liked a cigar by the number of tasting notes listed in the description. And in that case, it’s still a tie.
Whereas the Connecticut was tempered by contrasting pepper, this Sumatra-wrapped beauty led with fiery pepper notes that were contrasted by underlying layers. Clasico is complex, commanding, and a blend that you can fully taste without having to commit all of your attention to it.
Clasico Tasting Notes: Earth, Fiery Pepper, Leather, Coca Cola Sweetness, Dark Chocolate, Black Coffee
Clasico Intensity: Medium-Full
Pairing Suggestion: Angel’s Envy Rum Barrel Finished Rye
M.X.S. Dominique Wilkins
Dominique Wilkin’s blend started off with much more pepper in the first inch than the rest of the cigar. This cigar had an attitude out of the gate before quickly transitioning into a smooth operator that I thoroughly enjoyed. Switching gears so quickly might be jarring for some, but I loved it personally.
I can see this cigar going head to head with the likes of Foundation’s Tabernacle, Dunbarton’s Mi Querida, and Drew Estate’s Dirty Rat in a taste test.
M.X.S. Dominique Wilkins Tasting Notes: Tangy Earth, Pepper, Dried Fruit, Mild Coffee, Cedar
M.X.S. Dominique Wilkins Intensity: Medium+
Pairing Suggestion: Coke Zero or Michter’s Rye
M.X.S. Tiago Splitter
Leading the way with pepper, Tiago Splitter’s blend led me on an exploration of woody tasting notes. To sum it up, I just used wood as a descriptor below, but it was an interesting showcase of various experiences.
Eventually, sharp sweetness was introduced that reminded me of chewing on raw sugarcane when I was younger along with distinct leathery nuances. This blend reminded me more of the Habano than the Clasico (as I would’ve expected), and I think pairing suggested below would be very interesting. It’s certainly the first I’ll try when I get home!
M.X.S. Tiago Splitter Tasting Notes: Pepper, Wood, Sugarcane, Leather, Toast
M.X.S. Tiago Splitter Intensity: Medium
Pairing Suggestion: Nikka Coffey Grain Whiskey or Espresso
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