Review: Nestor Miranda Special Selection

This weeks cigar is another that came to me in a trade with a fellow BOTL.  The Nestor Miranda Special Selection seems to have lots of different information written about it all over the web. So much information, in fact, that I'm not exactly sure what to believe and what to discredit. After reading countless websites, I think it's pretty safe to say that is cigar is now (from 2009 and on) produced by Pepin Garcia in his Tabacalera Cubana factory in Nicaragua. A variety of information is on the web about it's production prior to 2009, but I think I'll keep this review to what is most current. With that said, I'm not sure how old this stick is, so I'm not positive this is the Pepin blend. The Nestor Miranda Special Selection was ranked in Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 of 2009. This was a bit of a gamble smoke, but a gamble I was willing to take.

Specifics (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.)

Vitola: Robusto Grande
Length: 5.50
Ring Gauge: 54
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduran
Price: $5.50
Smoking Location: House of Cigar, Columbus, Ohio
Beverage: Coke

Pre-Light

 

My first impression of this Nestor Miranda Special Selection was a good one.  The cigar had a nice to look, with a dark oscuro wrapper, minimal veins, and a oily sheen. The stick was well packed, lacking any soft spots, and the band was a nice twist on something modern but not cheesy-modern like a few bands I've seen recently. The un-lit cigar gave off no aroma and when clipped, the cold draw only had a very slight, sweet tobacco taste.

First Third

  

After the slightly difficult time torching my Nestor, the cigar burned very well. Large clouds of thick smoke were easly pulled from the cigar on each draw. The smoke had a creamy texture to it and almost felt like I had been drinking something rich after every exhale. The initial flavors were black pepper mixed with some cedar wood notes. Neither of these flavors were very strong. The body of the cigar was medium.

Second Third

 

The second third started out with a much stronger flavor profile than the first. The black pepper had weakend a bit, but I was now getting a interesting black cherry flavor mixed with charred wood notes. Unfortunately, this didn't last for the entire second third because it was really a great taste. As I inched towards the band, all I got again was a mild black peppery spice. The burn on the cigar was great and the smoke volume was terrific, but I was finding myself hoping that the flavors would return to make it better. The body of the cigar was again a solid medium.

Final Third and Final Thoughts

 

Sadly, the final third of my Nestor Miranda Special Selection was dissapointing. I never got that nice black cherry flavor back and once I was past the band, the cigar started to taste somewhat metallic. I did not enjoy that at all so I decided to put the stick down. The burn was still great but I couldn't get past that flavor. The body ramped up a bit in the final third to what I would call a medium to medium full.

Would I buy it again? I don't think so, but I wouldn't be upset if I got some in a trade now and again. In the middle of the stick, there were about ten minutes that I really enjoyed and actually told my smoking buddy, "Hey, this got pretty good." It was unfortunate for me that those flavors were short lived.



Would I buy a box? No. There are too many other cigars in this price range that I like more.


Dan