A few days ago I was in my local cigar shop picking up some cigars for my fathers birthday. After picking up a few for him, I decided to get one for myself. In the back of the walk in humidor I came across a box of Camacho Corojo Candelas. Inside the box there was a single cigar remaining. I picked the cigar up and made my way to the register.
Origin: Danli, Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
Size Name: Monarca
Length: 5.00
Ring Gauge: 50
Strength: Medium
As you notice from Candela pictures, Candelas are green in color. You really don’t know just how bright green they are until you hold one in your hand. This Camacho had a beautiful green wrapper with slight veins you could see but not feel. When looking at it, I was reminded of my pet Iguana I used to have. The wrapper and texture was comparable to a reptile, which to be honest was a little disturbing.
During my pre light inspection, I noticed that the cigar had a firm feel and a smooth texture. There was a subtle green tea aroma to the wrapper that was nice. After inspection I cut the cap and began lighting the cigar.
Lighting this cigar was quick and easy. The draw had slight resistance but was good overall producing lots of smoke. The initial flavor was a subtle green tea flavor. The finish was long and smooth but left a chalky feel in the mouth. The body of this cigar was medium and went well with the tea flavor.
After a few puffs I began to taste slight hints of spice and I was getting a distinct chalky feel in my mouth. The burn was excellent and produced a firm light colored ash as well as a light yet aromatic resting smoke. The draw remained good with light resistance.
About half way through this cigar the initial tea flavors were becoming mellower and overall were becoming very enjoyable. I was now getting a slight grassy flavor and the body of this cigar remained consistent in the medium range.
The remainder of this cigar was very consistent. There were slight flavor changes between the tea, and grass in addition to some sweet notes I was getting. The burn was excellent as well as the draw. The finish was still long with a smooth yet chalky feel to it.
Overall I think that this was a nice change of pace. I enjoyed it but don’t think that I could smoke these on a regular basis. This is a cigar to try if you want to mix things up a bit.
My Review Sheet can be found below.
Bravo! Thanks for taking a chance on the candela, Walt. At one time (fifties and sixties I think) it was the most popular wrapper in the U.S. In fact, it was called “American Market Selection” for this reason. I’ve tried a couple of cheapo candelas out of curiosity, but never had a really good one. Fuente makes one, but I have yet to see it on the shelves.
Walt beat me to reviewing a candela first. 🙂
I’ve heard good things about the Fuente candela. Don Tomas, JR & Cuba Aliados. Walt you should do a series of candela reviews man. I think readers would find it interesting.
Id love to do some more candela reviews. The only hard part is finding singles or 5 packs.
Cigarfan,
Glad you liked the review. I was actually looking for the Fuente candela but did not have any luck locally. I hear good things about it, so im going to have to keep an eye out.
I always enjoy a good Candela, but they are hard to find. I used to smoke a Bering Candela (only good cigar Bering made) and when those became unavailable, I found Don Tomas to make a good one- the Cetros #2. Macanudo once had a Candela (they called it “Jade”, which is the other name for the wrapper) and I remember those to have been excellent.
I don’t smoke Candelas all the time but i’m not happy without a few in my humidor. For some reason they are often cheap; could that be because no one wants them? I’d heard that they were loved particularly in the Northeast back in the 60’s.
I think people are afraid to try them. If more people took a chance, they’d sell more, and the companies would release more. I was looking for a review of the Cuba Aliados Candela…
Steve,
I think I might have a single Cuba Aliados Candela burried in the humidor. It was a cigar that someone sent me a while back when i was involved in a Box Pass.
I’ll see if I can dig it up, and maybe try and find another so I have something to compare it to.
Thanks for the comment
-Walt
whoa gotta find one of them
I think it was a year or so ago when I didn’t jump quick enough on a deal on some Candela- yep it was those Cuba Aliados. I’m down to one Don Tomas, which I really love in the spring and early summer.
Smoking a corojo Esteban Carreras right now…