El Sublimado

El Sublimado

Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Robusto
Size : 4.5 x 50
Wrapper : Honduras
Filler : Dominican Republic
Binder : Dominican Republic
Hand-Made
Price : $85 per pack of five ($17.00 each)

It isn’t every day that a long out of production cigar hearkening back from the boom years of the ‘90’s falls into your lap. The Texas Cigar Brothers company of Bedford, Texas recently stumbled upon a long forgotten stock of El Sublimado and El Incomparable cigars in the warehouse of a Honduran cigar factory and is making them available on a limited basis. The El Sublimado brand launched in 1993 and is unique because the tobacco used to make the cigar was cured in rooms with 50 years old Noces d'Or Cognac.

This cigar does not possess an overpowering aroma of cognac; the spirit’s scent on the wrapper is unmistakably present but is well balanced by the natural aroma of tobacco. The prelight aroma is a subtle mix of vanilla, toffee, spice, cedar, and tobacco. Deftly rolled with a beautifully uniform look and feel, it is clear that the El Sublimado was manufactured with care. The Connecticut seed wrapper remains rich in appearance and sill exudes a modest amount of oil.

Unlike the majority of infused cigars, the El Sublimado’s flavors are nuanced and delicate. The flavor of the Cognac is even less pronounced while smoking than it was in the aroma of the unlit wrapper. It remains rich and full of undertones but strikes a refreshing balance with the other flavors one would expect to find in non-infused tobacco. The smoke tastes of nuts, vanilla, and spice with a lingering finish of cedar. The 50 ring gauge robusto burned very evenly with a draw offering modestly firm resistance.

At around $17 per cigar, the El Sublimado is not inexpensive; however, it is very unique and worthy of purchase due to the unusual flavor combination. Lovers of an elegant cigar brimming with vivid flavors and a mellow texture should consider purchasing a package of five while they last. I would like to thank Texas Cigar Brothers for submitting this cigar for review. Additional information on these cigars can be found at http://www.texascigarbrothers.com/.

Appearance/Structure – 14/15
Smoking Characteristics – 22/25
Flavor – 21/25
Overall Impression – 33/35

Total - 90