Sorry for dropping the ball last week, guys. I had a lot of stuff come up at work and I just couldn’t find the time to put anything together for my weekly post. This past week was another busy one, but I found a few spare moments to record a quick first impressions video for you all.

This cigar was gifted to me by it’s maker, Enrique Sánchez, at the 2012 Delaware Cigar Festival last month. 1502 is a new premium cigar brand manufactured by Global Premium Cigars in Esteli, Nicaragua. Just last week, Emilio Cigars announced that it had entered into a distribution agreement for 1502, making it the third non-Emilio brand to be distributed by Emilio Cigars, joining Rodrigo Cigars and Herederos de Robaina.

The Ruby is the medium-body offering in the 1502 line, nestled between the milder Emerald and the stronger Black Gold. Like the other 1502 blends, the Ruby is mostly Nicaraguan, except for one component. In this case, the one non-Nicaraguan component is the Ecuadorian wrapper.

1502 Ruby by the numbers:
Vitola: box-pressed torpedo
Size: 6.5×52
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
Manufacturer: Global Premium Cigars in Esteli, Nicaragua
No. smoked for review: 1 (first impressions)
Duration: 75 minutes
Source: review sample
MSRP: N/A
Website: globalpremiumcigars.com
Twitter: @1502Cigars
Facebook: 1502 Cigars

In our brief video interview recorded at the 2012 Delaware Cigar Festival, Enrique told me that the two things to look for in his cigars would be a great draw and a unique (at least to me) semi-closed foot designed to promote an even lighting of the wrapper. I knew I’d have to actually smoke the sample he gave me before I could experience the draw first-hand, but the uniqueness of the foot was immediately evident. In addition to the role it plays in the torching process, it certainly adds a characteristic look to Mr. Sánchez’s 1502 Cigars.

So how did the 1502 Ruby smoke? Watch the video to find out…

(Video length: 8:29)

Soundtrack: “Remember Love” by bigbonobo_combo ft. Pierre Thomas http://ccmixter.org/files/bigbonobo_combo/38836
is licensed under a Creative Commons license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

As I mentioned in the video, I have nothing but good things to say about this cigar. Construction on the 1502 Ruby was terrific and the flavors were bold and delicious. Honestly, what more can you ask for? I have to keep reminding myself: this was only a first impressions… but I must say, “Well done” to Mr. Enrique Sánchez. If all of your 1502 Cigars are as good as this one, I look forward to smoking many more.