Originally published at Tiki Bar Online
Embajador (Toro), 6” x 52 ring gauge
A year ago Sean Williams first teamed up with Abe Flores to have Pinar Del Rio (PDR Cigars) produce his next line, La Hermandad. I enjoyed the resulting cigar, especially in the Robusto (Caballito) size. Since then Sean has entered a deal with Abe to have PDR distribute Primer Mundo Cigars so it was natural that they would make his new blend, a extension of the Hermandad brand called “Costa Fuerte” (strong coast). Since no details were available on the official website yet, I got the blend details from halfwheel’s IPCPR show coverage: the wrapper is a 5-year-old Brazilian Bahia (whereas the original Hermandad was Brazilian Arapiraca), the binder is Dominican Olor and the fillers are Nicaraguan Criollo 98 and Dominican Corojo 2006. I got one sample of the Hermandad Costa Fuerte at the 2013 Chattanooga Tweet-Up and Cigar Festival, so this will be the first time I’ve smoked this blend.
When I had my first Hermandad (and actually when I buy more from Burns since they still have cigars from the original batch), there was no band. Later on, I found that a band was coming, and still later a band was introduced that looked nothing like the original band I saw. The band it ended up with was a 3.25” wide sheet of paper, printed black with black varnish or foil on it for the lettering and design (at least that’s what I’m remembering…I’ve only seen them a couple times, so I apologize if I’m wrong). The Costa Fuerte adopts a similar look, but with simple white paper with some black ink and embossing. The band starts at the foot and covers over half the cigar. Fairly original? Sure, but it’s not my favorite look for a cigar. It reminds me of the cedar sheaths that cover up defects and damage so well (I’ve taken cedar off several cigars and found cracked wrappers…infuriating!). What wrapper leaf is showing is oily and medium brown in color; it had a sweet wet earthy aroma to it. The foot had a riper earthiness, along with wood and coffee aromas. Taking a cold draw, I got a woodsy flavor that had just a hint of the flavor of many Davidoff products–the Olor tobacco’s influence, perhaps?–I also got some sweet, grassy notes.
When lit the Hermandad Costa Fuerte sprang to life with cedar and light earthy notes, along with some citrus sourness and grassy flavors. There was a bit of pepper spice on the tongue, but a definite red pepper sear on the nasal passages when I retrohaled. As I burned my way through the first third, I noticed the pepper getting more intense on the palate until it was practically the most prevalent note. There were notes of sweet hay and earth underneath, as well an almost bready note. The cedar flavors receded a bit but were definitely still present.
Construction was excellent so far, with an excellent draw, solid ash and a burn line that was close enough to even, just needing a couple minor touch-ups. During the second third the pepper spice abated a bit, but never went completely away. In its place, I got more hay and earth notes.
In the final third of La Hermandad Costa Fuerte, the cedar flavors came back in strongly, accompanied by even more pepper spice. Earth, hay and citrus notes all played supporting roles. Overall, I would call this a very good cigar, although not as pleasing to my palate as the original Hermandad…but, of course, I’m more of a Maduro fan and you might not be. If you like spicy, woody cigars, this might be right in your wheelhouse and it should be on your list of cigars to try out. The body was medium to full and the nicotine strength was about the same.
Body: 7/10
Strength: 7/10
Complexity: 7/10
AFP Scale
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
