REVIEW: Nica Libre Potencia

Cigar Name: Nica Libre Potencia
Wrapper: Habano Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: Churchill Extra 7” x 52

Strength: Medium-Full
Body: Medium-Full
Price: $2.50 – 8.01 Each

Smoking Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

The Nica Libre Potencia is an online exclusive (Cigar.com, Cigarsinternational.com, cigarbid.com) and is an extension of the very popular Nica Libre.  Where the Nica Libre is a very medium bodied, smooth smoking cigar, the Potencia promises to be stronger and spicier.  Made in the Olivia factory, this cigar has the potential to be a great value and one that will be a staple in the humidor.      

Appearance: The wrapper is a medium-brown, smooth looking piece of art.  No veins are present looks to be packed with tobacco.  The label is silver, maroon and gold.    9/10

Construction: Made by Olivia, this is a well made cigar.  A nice sturdy, double cap is present and there are no soft spots, hard spots or any other concerns about the construction.  10/10

Burn:   There was lots of smoke present with this cigar.  Thick, heavy smoke and it burned exceptionally well.  One of the cigars I had to let rest for a few minutes and when I came back, it started right back up.  The ash was about 1-1.5 inches long and was very gray and sturdy.  No flaking.         10/10

Aroma:  I was a little disappointed in the aroma as it was very plain.  Nothing but tobacco to note.     6/10

Draw: Draw was very good.  No hotspots and the line kept a very straight edge.         9/10

Flavor: Flavor was okay.  I guess I was expecting a larger profile from this (maybe from the looks) but it just didn’t appear.  A little bit of spice and coffee but not much else. 6/10

Availability: Again, online exclusive.      7/10

Personal Overall Experience: I got these for about $2.50 each on cigar bid.  I don’t think I paid too much but I just wish it had a better flavor and aroma.  For the price though, it was not bad at all.  I would not make this a special moment cigar but it could find a home in the yard cigar, poker game cigar area.  I can’t stress enough though as to how WELL it was made.  Nice job Olivia.   24/30

Total: 81/100

Matt

Tatuaje Petite Cabiaguan

Cigar Name: Petite Cabiaguan
Wrapper: Ecuadorian grown Connecticut-seed
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: Petite 4.5” x 32

Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Price: $3.50 Each

Smoking Time: 30 minutes

Yea, so sue me, another Tatuaje review.  I can’t help it.  Pete Johnson and Don Peppin know how to make cigars that I like.  The Cabiaguan is different than their usual fair though.  It is more of a medium body.  And this little petite cigar is a perfect smoke when you don’t have much time.  I have been drawing myself more and more towards these and little coronas lately b/c of the time involved.  I still like to have good flavor though.  And that is why I bought these.    

Appearance: This is actually a rough looking cigar.  There is no label and it honestly looks like a little kid made these.  6/10

Construction: There were a few that had some soft spots and with as thin as these are, could mean some hot burning.      5/10

Burn:   Honestly, there were no issues until I got right to the very end.  These performed very well and I was surprised.        9/10

Aroma:  A little bit of hay and grass but not much.    8/10

Draw: Fairly loose but otherwise not bad for a little cigar.         8/10

Flavor: This is where this little guy shines.  Great plumes of smoke with lots of flavors.  Grapes (weird, I know), hay, grass and soil.      10/10

Availability: Good.  You can get these anywhere.    9/10

Personal Overall Experience: I am very happy with these.  It is not something I would smoke for a special occasion but for what it is (and the cost – I actually got a cabinet of 50 for $85.00 on cigar bid after I tried a few from Alcorns), it is a great buy.      25/30

Total: 80/100

Matt