I am privileged to try my first...yes, first ever...Espinosa cigar today.  I was handed the Laranja (Portuguese for Orange) Reserva for homework and my excitement level is off the charts.  Espinosa's cigars are very highly regarded in the community and I can't wait to see why.  Let's just get to it....

Construction: First of all, what a gorgeous presentation.  Gold, white, and orange in a very elegant band atop a golden orange wrapper leaf.  The cigar itself is fairly lumpy with a few veins here and there - overall a very nostalgic looking cigar.

Pre-light Aroma and Draw: Not being packaged in cellophane, the Laranja isn't an aroma bomb under the nose. I get some raisin, milk chocolate, and dray hay.  The draw is absolutely perfect and a cold pull gives notes of the same aromas mentioned herein.

Light and Burn: Through the first third, the Laranja had a slightly lopsided burn...thankfully it evened about 90% out at the center mark.

Tasting: Off the start, I get cocoa, cinnamon, cedar, and orange peel.  What a way to start things off.  Being that this is my first Espinosa cigar, I am intrigued already.  The overall core of the cigar is very toasty and that orange and cinnamon gives an impression of mulling spice - perfect for this time of year.  I am drinking a cup of coffee from Kenya with this cigar and it pairs nicely.  Each pulling a natural sweetness from the other.

The middle starts out by adding a truly lovely graham cracker note.  Laced within the orange peel and spices, the Laranja delivers loads of medium bodied flavors.  A dry leathery note develops at the core of the cigar which really adds even more depth to this delicious smoke.  I have seen folks call this a full bodied cigar - maybe if you smoke it too fast, I could see that, but the overall impression is full favored and medium body.  From where I am sitting, anyway.

The very sad occasion of the final third has arrived.  I wipe a tear from my eye and focus my palate back to the task at hand....More of that graham cracker, cinnamon, leather, and orange peel, of course...add in some cream, white pepper, and sassafras and white chocolate.  A stunning finish for a stunning cigar.

Value: At nearly $11 online and at your brick and mortar, this is a well priced cigar for what you get.

Final Thoughts: I will not hesitate to say that this cigar is easily on my short list of best of the year.  At first glance, it looks like a run-of-the-mill Connecticut or Sumatra - but it ain't in the ballpark, folks.  This is a stellar cigar and with this unique wrapper, I can see a lot of other makers looking in the direction of Brazil after this.  This is a game changing cigar that you absolutely must try.  Very highly recommended!

Wrapper: Brazilian Laranja
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Strength: Medium

Size: 6 x 52

Beautiful presentation....

Elegant and incredibly beautiful band.