Cuaba Divinos Cigar - 1 Single

Date Added: Friday 03 June, 2016 by Staff

Reviewed by Kevin Reed

First a little background on the Cuaba brand for those needing a little hard fact. Up until the beginning of this century, the figurado shape (or perfecto if we're being picky), pointed at both ends and bulbous in the middle, was the most popular in the world. With figurado's returning to fashion in the mid-90's, Cuaba was introduced in London in 1996, the brand being the first new Cuban cigar brand to be introduced into commercial production since 1968.

Cuaba is the Taino Indian word for the special Cuban bush used to light the "Cohiba" or "Tobacco" on the Island used during religious ceremonies. Cuaba cigars are made at the Romeo y Julieta Factory (now Briones Montoto) under the supervision of Master Roller Izquierdo Gonzalez. This figurado shape is very difficult to make as it has to be made without the use of a cigar mould so don't be surprised if, upon opening a box, you find that no two cigars are identical.

Rolled on the thighs of Cuban virgins ? Doubtful. But rolled on the thighs of a master of his art ? Very possibly. We shall see.

OK..the history lesson's over, now to the cigar

You know how some cigars just feel right when you hold them ? Picking one of these up is a small pleasure in itself. For a short cigar, they're very tactile, very ergonomic. A quick examination shows a relatively vein-free, rustic looking colorado-maduro wrapper.

Of the Cuaba range this vitola is the odd one out, having a flat cap instead of a pointed one. A small snip with the cutter and the pre-light draw doesn't reveal a great deal. Slightly woody taste, nothing too exciting. The cigar takes an easy light then BOOM!! One of the fun bits about smoking a perfecto .the first few draws are ALL wrapper. Very nice - very sweet ! When the burn reaches the main body of the cigar, the initial light sweet smoke gives way to a rewarding cloud and the cigar settles into a steady rhythm. Spicy, deep flavours erupt on the taste buds but with a hint of the sweetness still evident. The draw is effortless - nice and easy and the burn is completely even. Fantastic construction.

When the burn reaches the main body of the cigar, the initial light sweet smoke gives way to a rewarding cloud and the cigar settles into a steady rhythm. Spicy, deep flavours erupt on the taste buds but with a hint of the sweetness still evident. The draw is effortless - nice and easy and the burn is completely even. Fantastic construction.

One of the fundamentals of the universe is that humans will always try to make 1 + 1 = 3. Confused ? Let me explain. We find it impossible to content ourselves with anything au naturale and have a need to find something complementary for everything to make the experience greater than the sum of it's parts. Cigars are no exception. We add salt to our foods, cream to our coffees and alcoholic drinks to cigars. When we do reach the required combination though....oh boy !!

So. after the first few puffs of the wrapper have abated and I have the first real taste of the cigar still in my mouth - I head to the liquor cabinet in pursuit of the "3" factor. Looking for something to match the sweet, earthy taste my hand lingers on the Havana Club 7 year old rum but a last minute impulse makes me go for the Ron Zacapa. I pour myself a generous measure over ice and settle into my leather chair. Let the ride begin.

The smoke's aroma and the flavours are intensifying with each steady draw as the girth of the cigar widens, the flavour a little reminiscent of a Romeo y Julieta Cedros No 3 but unique enough to be able to separate the two. The burn of the cigar is completely even and the ash is a crunchy dark grey.

This cigar is proving to be a little revelation. With each draw the flavour evolves and surprises. I had imagined this cigar would be an ok smoke but nothing special. Sometimes it's a definite pleasure to be completely wrong. (If anyone ever tells the wife I said that... I'll flat deny it)

Small sips of the Ron Z replace some of the sweetness lost as the cigar reaches the middle. This is the widest point of the cigar and so the wrapper is providing less in terms of overall taste. The flavour is now definitely like smooth hazelnut praline with a little of the spicy signature that can be found in Cuban cigars. I'm now cresting the apex point of the cigar and from here the cigar tapers gently towards it's ultimate end. The smoke has a creamy, silky texture and is staying cool, quite surprising for a shorter cigar.

With each draw now, the width of the cigar is decreasing and the wrapper again begins to exert more influence over the taste the sweetness is returning. Yet, just as you think you have this cigar pegged, it alters subtly and the next draw has something new and different to marvel at. The Ron Z was a good choice, it's flavour merging with the cigar's different nuances instead of overpowering it or being lost in it. The smoke now has a gentle warmth to it yet I'm determined to extract every last ounce of pleasure from this cigar.

Unfortunately, I can't hold it anymore, I'm starting to burn my lips and fingers but the last couple of puffs had a delicious, almost vanilla sweetness to them and as I reluctantly let this slip from my fingers into the ash-tray.

So, there you have it. Although lacking the power necessary to be an after-dinner cigar, one of these after a good lunch would certainly hit the spot. This is a must-try figurado, sure to become a modern day classic but hey, THIS was how all cigars USED to be. Maybe those Taino Indians knew a thing or two ?

Excellent review! Description of the setting and overall smoking experience was "just" enough, not drawn out. It actually made my desire to try these cigars even stronger.

Judge: Bill Durkin
Score 9/10

An excellent review, which would fit wonderfully in any cigar publication. The writer gives a history lesson, delves into the human thought process and describes his smoking experience in a manner which maintained my interest completely.

Judge: Elliot Blum
Score 10/10

Well, I guess it wasn't to bad, a bit long - I could have done with knowing what Ron Zacapa rum tasted like, but I'll leave that for another time. The review was pretty much a bio on a chap's cigar moment rather than a review of the cigar. I would have liked to know what age the cigar was (if known) and what other cigars the reviewer liked to get an idea of what the mark was against in this reviewers eyes. On the whole not too out there.

Judge: Richard Whitwell
Score: 5/10

OVERALL SCORE: 24/30