Up for review this week is a cigar that was briefly discussed in Episode 14 of Your Questions, My Answers. The cigar is the El Cobre which is a Private Label cigar made by the Oliva Cigar Family. The El Cobre is available in bundles of 25 for $99.95 and weighs in at, in my case, 6.50 inches long with a 52 ring gauge and is Torpedo shaped.
Upon my initial inspection I thought this cigar looked a little rough. The wrapper was dark and oily with a few medium sized veins and a slightly bumpy texture. When pinched I found this stick to be firmly packed with tobacco from head to foot. After a quick clip I found the draw to be a little firm but produced a rich and heavy pre light flavor.
After a quick toast and light I had the cigar burning evenly and producing thick and flavorful smoke. The draw remained a little snug but produced a firm and light colored ash with a excellent burn. The resting smoke was fairly light and produced a very rich but strong aroma. The body started off medium to full while the finish left me with a thick feeling in my mouth with a smooth and enjoyable aftertaste. The base flavor was a rich earthy flavor with an enjoyable spice that was easily detected when blown through the sinuses.
As I smoked further into the first third of my El Cobre Torpedo the base flavors were becoming richer and more complex with each puff. The spice from the first few puffs were really beginning to ramp up as the Earthy flavor developed more character. The finish remained heavy and thick but easy on the palate while the body was building into the Full Range. The draw remained a little firm put continued to put off a good volume of thick smoke while the burn rate was slow and even.
After a few gentle bites on the head of the cigar the draw began to open up and produce much more smoke. The base flavors remained pretty much the same but continued to build and develop more character. The finish was still smooth but had a heavy mouth feel that coated my entire mouth. The body was now in the Full range and continued to build the deeper I smoked. The resting smoke was still fairly light but produced an even heavier aroma at this point. I found myself constantly dodging the smoke that lingered in the air, but enjoyed it very much.
The final third of my cigar continued to build and become more full bodied. The finish remained thick and heavy on the tongue and palate while being smooth and enjoyable. The base flavor stayed consistent and produced rich Earthy and Spicy flavors that were almost over the top when blown through the sinuses. The burn remained even and slow while producing a solid light colored ash. The resting smoke remained fairly light but the aroma seemed to get heavier and more pungent with every puff.
Overall I think that this was a fantastic cigar as long as you enjoy a Full Bodied Stink Pot Of a smoke. The flavors are very rich and robust which pair up very well with the body of the cigar. Even though I found myself dodging the resting smoke at times, I really enjoyed the aroma. If you come across one of these in your travels I would definitely recommend picking one up. Just like all of the Oliva produced cigars I have smoked, this one is well made and enjoyable.
Another awesome review Walt! I’m glad to see your enjoying an El Cobre this week. Your review was spot on…the El Cobre is a stinky cigar, but it sure is good. 🙂
BTW, I have heard that they are excellent aging cigars as well. I have some waiting in my humi now. I’ll have to leave some for a year or so and see how they do…that is, if they make it that long.
Walt. your review really made me want to try one. Please post a link to someone selling bundles /5 packs of “El Cobre” Thanks, I enjoy stogiereview.com you guys are doing a great job.
Bill…the only place that seems to be selling them online right now is:
http://www.discountcigars.org/cigars.asp?parentval=274
They come in bundles of 25. That’s where I got mine from and that’s the site Walt mentioned in the review. Hope this helps. It’s really an awesome cigar! 🙂
BTW I am in no way affiliated with Oliva or DiscountCigars.com.
Nice review. I’m intrigued to try one, but if it’s that powerful for you, it may knock me on my butt. I’ll have to put it on my list to try, but not right now. Have a great time on your trip.
Walt,
What’s the deal man? I like this music game, but I can’t do the metal thing, I don’t listen to it too much. I was looking forward to it! I’m kidding… Great review, I’ve been trying to snag a few of these after the Doc hit them up a few weeks ago. They sound like they might be close to RP’s Edge, that dirty, oily, stinky stick that performs great. Keep up the great work, MDD.
Charlie,
Thanks for the link. Unfortunately $100 is over my comfort level for a cigar I’ve never tried. I hope someone will sell 5 packs soon. Thanks again ,Bill
I second that, Charlie. Those look like fantastic cigars, but I just can’t blindly drop a hundred bones on something I’ve never tried…even considering I trust Walt’s opinion.
Sean
Bill,
I hear you on that one man…my budget is always tight when buying cigars. But, there is always the option of doing a box split with some buddy’s. That’s what I did with a buddy of mine on a cigar forum I frequent. A box split is an excellent way to try cigars that can only be purchased in large bundles or boxes, without breaking the budget. 🙂
Charlie
BTW…if you’re wondering which cigar forum I am on just click on my name. 🙂
I am sitting out on my patio having a El Cobre right now, and the only reason I bought this cigar was because of the review. I love “kick your but” cigars and that is exactly what this is, a flavor bomb!
I just got the bundle in yesterday, and I’m so glad I went out on the limb and got the bundle to try it out.
I am looking forward to sharing this tomorrow night at a herf I am having for my birth day with some buddies who really like full bodied cigars.
Thanks again for the reviews!
Cal
The Hypnotist
I want to try one …
Next to the Serie V, This is my favorite Oliva product. You can’t beat the price. They could easily charge $150 for this smoke and I’d still buy it. As a matter of fact I’m running low on these. I need to buy more. I really enjoy the toro size.
Defenitely an all-time favorite cigar for me! Cuba just doesn’t produce a cigar like this…
Hello, it was great reading your review. I am a big fan of the el Cobre and i buy many bundles. While reading i found myself agreeing on almost everything you said.
My tip for anyone trying this cigar for the first time is to buy 3. You need to learn to appreciatie this one. The first one could scare you off.
Charlie is absolutely right. A friend gave me one of these and I am smoking it now on the deck. It’s a robusto he bought exactly 3 years ago. Delicious, full bodied, and even after a 3-year snooze in the humi, it’s really a great smoke. I didn’t get the ‘kick in the butt’ (although I still have about half of it left), so maybe that gets buffered a bit with time. I’ll buy it if I see it.
These are my goto cigars now. I smoke two or three of these a day.
Yes indeed, this is one powerful, wonderful, full-bodied stick. I bought a box based on FS recommendations. Should have gotten two! It was a surprise, but should have realized that a boutique smoke made by Oliva would be this good. I doubt that I will have the will power to let them age. By the way, last I looked FS still has them.
JP