Size: 38 × 152 (6.0")
Shape: Panetela
Filler: Cuban
Binder: Cuban
Wrapper: Cuban
Smoking Time: 1 hour
Beverage: Eagle Rare Bourbon
Box Date: 1999/2000
Vegueros is a small Cuban brand that today consists of only two vitolas - the Marevas and the Seoane. The cigar we smoked for this review, the Especiales No. 2, was discontinued in 2010 along with the Especiales No. 1. The Vegueros brand is one of the newest Cuban releases with the first cigars reaching production in 1996. The tobacco used to produce Vegueros is harvested in the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba - an area renowned for producing the highest quality of tobacco. Interestingly, the term "vegueros" refers to those that tend to the "vega" (tobacco field) and the brand was named in honour of Cuba's highly skilled tobacco farmers who have long held a tradition of creating their own cigars. Very few reviews of Vegueros cigars exist online or in magazines - a indication of just how small and obscure this cigar is compared to the larger Cuban brands. The cigar we smoked for this review was well constructed with no noticeable soft spots. Perhaps the most noteworthy issue in terms of appearance was the underwhelming band that is perhaps the least impressive of all the higher-end Cuban brands.
After clipping the cap of the Especiales No. 2 I was greeted with an unexpected amount of think white smoke for such a small gage cigar. The flavours were pleasant and I detected notes of bitter espresso, milk chocolate, and earth. The strength of the cigar seemed to begin in the upper medium spectrum, but casually transitioned into a medium smoke for the duration of the stick. The No. 2 was smooth and well-balanced throughout which was not surprising considering the sample we selected was nearly 10 years old. However, the flavour profile did not change much throughout the cigar with the exception of some heavier woody notes making an appearance in the final third. Overall, this was not a bad cigar by any means and I would gladly smoke one the next time were in Havana over a cup of morning coffee. However, there are many other cigars I would reach for ahead of the No. 2 and the unidimensional nature of this example has forced me to grant this stick 2 1/2 Castro heads out of 5.
- Sean
