Tesa Cigars Reserva Real 654

Thanks to a recommendation on this site, I'd been looking forward to trying Tesa Cigars' offereings. I had my chance the other day. While having to run my grandfather up to a doctor's appointment, my wife stopped in at Tesa Cigars in Chicago, IL and picked up a few of their offerings for me. Boy, was I glad she did.

The Reserva Real 654 is a figurado shape that measures 6.5 x 54. Construction was good, with a smooth wrapper and no obvious flaws. The initial draw was a little tight, but loosened up very quickly with no poking required. Brazilian Aripiraca wrapper and Nicaruagan filler edge this figurado to the "medium" end of its listed "mild-medium" flavor scale. Their website touts espresso flavors, sweet tobacco and floral notes. The espresso/coffee flavors are strongest of all, but the sweetness promised seemed present with a slightly sugary aftertaste. I really didn't get much of a "floral bouquet" but I did get a very slight kick of pepper towards the end.

They run just under $8 a stick but have a 10% discount for orders of 50 or more. I liked this cigar and look forward to trying the other 2 I have in my humidor. It's a little on the pricey side but 10% of the sale is promised to improve the living conditions of the people of Estelli, Nicaragua where the cigars are rolled.


http://www.tesacigars.com/