A little while back, before my car accident, I received an email from Abe Flores of Pinar Del Rio. With me not making IPCPR or Cigarfest this year, it has been a while since I’ve had the pleasure of talking with Abe. The email was a surprise and I was thrilled to find out that he wanted me to try some of his new product offerings.

With life being so busy, I wasn’t able to tear into the cigars and review them as early as I would have liked. I remedied that recently and fired up a Pinar Del Rio Small Batch Reserve Maduro and flipped on the camera for a First Impressions review.

What I found in this cigar was an impressive balance of flavor, power, and body. The core flavors created the scene of an old farm in my minds eye (I know, that is kind of deep but it is the truth). Aromas of hay and grass passed through my sinus and were backed up by a pleasant cocoa flavor across the palate. Unlike many of the Pinar Del Rio Cigars I’ve smoked in the past (mainly the fire-proof Oscuro) this one burned fairly well and didn’t require touch-ups until the final third.

I’m unsure of the price or availability so I can only speculate. If this cigar is priced between $6.00 and $8.00, I think it is a killer stick and well worth seeking out. If it is priced between $8.00 and $10.00, I think it is a solid cigar and worth trying if you come upon one. If it is over $10.00, I couldn’t see myself reaching for it very often due to its competition at that price range.