Cuba Libre Magnum

We keep holding out hope that there will be a sufficient change of leadership in Cuba that once again the cigar market will open up to those of us in the States; but, sadly, Raul is still a Castro. Given that Cuba Libre means "Free Cuba," the folks behind Cuba Libre seem to share our sentiments. In the interim, they assure we're not deprived by making great premiums and selling them at affordable prices. With the magnum you get the biggest bang for your buck! This medium-to-full-bodied, box-pressed Honduran with its toothy, deep-medium-brown Cuban-seed Corojo wrapper is a beauty. The flllers are Cuban-seed, long-leaf tobaccos that have been aged eight months in Nestor Plasencia's aging rooms before being wrapped. The result is a buttery smooth smoke layered with robust but perfectly balanced flavors. Initially it burns slow but there's nothing sluggish about the flavor profile. This vitola has a tremendous depth of flavor—a rich spiciness with complex notes of wood and earth. Less than a third of the way into the cigar, panelists noted a slight sweetness and very subtle vanilla taste. Then it evolved into a mature and mellow smoke, with a hearty core of earth and leather with toasty notes, and a lingering finish. Look for volumes of smoke. Pair with an oaky chardonnay.