Cabaiguan Coronas Extra

Size: 46 X 143 (5 5/8")
Shape: Corona Gorda (Grand Corona)
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut-shade)
Smoking time:
Beverage: Glenfarclas 21 Year Old

Cabaiguan is a boutique brand produced by the well-known Pete Johnson of Tatuaje fame. Many of the Cabaigaun vitolas have received rave reviews as flavourful and complex mild- to medium-bodied smokes, so we thought that we'd give one a shot. Today's review is of the Cabaiguan Coronas Extra, one of my favourite sizes (the Cohiba Siglo IV and the H. Upmann Magnum 46 come to mind as tried-and-true favourites).

The Cabaiguan we smoked for this review were very well made (as we've come to expect from Pete Johnson) with a very firm feel and an ample draw. The cold draw revealed faint notes of orange peel but not much else. We lit the cigar using the three-match technique and I immediately got a nice kick of Nicaraguan spice and wood. We both noticed how Cuban-like this cigar tasted, much like the Tatuaje Artistas we reviewed last year, with a faint tea-like quality. However, the spice quickly subsided, and the cigar faded into a very mild profile with a charry finish. As the cigar progressed into the second third, I found some notes of molasses (good and not overly sweet), but had difficulty picking out any other flavours. The last third brought on a little more strength and body, with notes of oats and earth on the finish. However, I found the cigar lost my interest, despite some other notes of nuts and wood coming in near the end.

Overall, I expected more from this cigar, but still enjoyed its mild-to medium profile. I'd probably smoke it again, but I'd likely pick something else if given the choice. The Cabaiguan Coronas Extra receives the fair rating of two Fidels out of five.

- Carlton