Curivari has been around since 2003 in Europe, but is a relative new-comer to the United States, making its first domestic appearance back in 2010. Since that time, I’ve had the opportunity to try a few of their lines, and have had good experiences with them so far. This review focuses on Buenaventura, the company’s latest release, whose name means “good luck or good fortune”.
The Buenaventura was introduced at the 2012 IPCPR trade show and like the lines that precede it, its a Nicaraguan puro. But one of the things that makes it stand apart from the the rest is the lower price tag. In our interview with Andreas Throuvalas at IPCPR last year, he said, “We wanted to have a cigar that delivers a lot. And it’s a cigar that’s very fair priced.” Ringing in at under $6 a stick, I don’t think there will be any disagreement on the fairness point. It’s an interesting goal, considering that the majority of Curivaris already fall in the $6 to $8 range, which is generally considered reasonable for boutique cigars. But when you take into consideration the $10 to $12 Achilles which was announced at the same time, it makes sense that they expand into budget prices. (Speaking of the Achilles, in the process of writing this review, I discovered that the company may also have plans to produce a cigar named either “Alexander”, or “Alexander the Great”. So we may be looking at the beginning of a Greek theme from Curivari.)
The Buenaventura is available in boxes of 10 in three sizes: BV500 (5 1/4 x 50), BV560 (5 1/2 x 56) and BV600 (6 x 60) and ranges from $4.90 to 5.90 per stick, MSRP. Let’s take a look at the BV500.
Cigar Stats:
Size: 5 1/4 x 50
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Smoking Time: 1 1/2 hours
Beverage: Water
Source: Purchased by reviewer
Price: MSRP $4.90
The Pre-Smoke
The Buenaventura has a simple, but immaculate appearance. It’s lightly box-pressed, and every cigar I smoked for this review had a faint sheen, fine tooth, and very fine veins. I looked each stick over searching for a chink in its armor, but found none. I found no sign of flaws, the appear to be consistently well-made cigars.
They were a little on the firm side for a box-pressed cigar, but once clipped, drew perfectly. In the cold taste I noted a molasses-like sweetness, hay and a touch of chocolate. The wrapper had light sweet compost aroma with maybe a hint of cedar and chocolate.
The Burn
The burn was generally good, though not perfect. Most of the time the Buenaventura burned evenly, drew perfectly and produced a fairly solid, light-colored ash. A couple cigars had an ash that was little loose and flaky and required touch ups along the way, but it never got out of hand.
The Flavor
As noted in aforementioned interview, there was a definite consistency in flavor from one third to the next, but it wasn’t without some development. The profile had a consistent toasty, roasted nuttiness that hits more toward the finish. Early on in the cigar that element was accompanied by hints of sour cream and chalk, cocoa, mild spices and a cherry-like syrup. I also noted leather throughout, and coffee, chocolate, pepper, nutmeg and caramel in the later half. Though there were no major flavor transitions as it progressed, the Buenaventura seemed to taste a little different with every puff.
The Price
A well made cigar with complexity for five dollars? Good luck indeed.
The Verdict
As noted in the previous section, this is a very well made cigar, with subtle and complex flavors and a winning price point, it’s hard to find fault with it. Add to it that it’s different than just about everything else I regularly smoke, and you have a cigar I’m buying by the box instead of a stick or two at a time. And since there are only ten to a box, it’s not a big commitment of money or humidor space. The Buenaventura is not a limited release, but you may have to hunt for it. It’s well worth the search.
Liked It: Box-worthy.
Buy It Again: Yes
Recommend It: Yes
The Giveaway
My local Lotus representative was kind enough to provide us with a great looking black matte Lotus cigar cutter ($80 value) to give away to one lucky Stogie Review reader. And what better day to do it than on Stogie Review’s 7th birthday? (Yep, apparently that’s today.) To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment on this review. In a week’s time I’ll pick the comment I like most (or perhaps let a randomizer do that for me) and contact the winner via email for shipping information. So make sure you use an valid email address. The ordinary rules apply, 18 and older please, and U.S. only. Buena ventura!
WINNER: Paul May
Tower of Burn
Here for your viewing pleasure is my trademark Tower of Burn.
Congrats on 7 years, guys! Thanks for the contest!
Nice review! Very intrigued by the sour cream & cherry-like syrup flavor notes! Never seen that before and only hope that I may be able to decipher that if I find some. Another good reason for these reviews, advertising. Never heard of these, but I will definitely be on the lookout now. Hopefully I can find some…and maybe even cut them with my Lotus cutter? lol Thanks bro!
I’ll keep my eye out for these. Thanks for the review
I love the Tower of Burn! Great review I will definitely start hunting down some of these Buenaventura’s!
Damn, but I love the Buenaventura. I’ve had a few sticks and I can’t believe the price on these. If I had one square inch of space in my humi, I would buy a box of these.
You sir, are talented. I’d love to see how you fit a box of cigars into a square inch.
Well, first you’re gonna need one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Compressed-Vacuum-Storage-Medium-Travel/dp/B004XCWWSE
I’ve just ordered my fifth box! These are my everyday, go-to sticks, and boy, do I mean it. One of my Top Five of 2013, with a bullet. Hey, boutique fans: you do NOT want to miss this one!
In case you were wondering, my #1 Cigar of the Year: Coroba and Morales 19th Hole Maduro. Simply STUNNING! Not a $4-$5 cheapie; in the $8-$9 range, but you MUST find some and try a 5-pack. Not easy to find, but your effort will be rewarded and redoubled…
Love your review of this fairly priced Nicaraguan puro and intrigued by the flavor development over the duration of the burn. Its one I am going to search out.
I’ve always been curious about this cigar, but after having read your review; I must find this stick!!! Thank you, my friend.
Definitely a cigar I need to check out, based on your infomative review. And, congrats on hitting your 7th year! Maybe “7” will prove lucky for me with your generous giveaway. Thanks, as always.
todays my birthday also, and you will never guess what i wished for, a new lotus cigar cutter. thanks for the great reviews.
I’ve never had the pleasure of smoking one from this line… Thanks for the review.
never tried a curivari but would like to. Happy b-day!!!
Wow, 7 years, were did those years go, and I’m that much older also! Congrats to all of you, great job,great reviews as always. Thanks for the give a way.
Happy Birthday! Thanks both for the contest and for introducing me to a new stick to try… I’ll have to see if the ol’ B&M has any in stock.
It’s funny I had this last night–my wife and I had the 50 and 56 size and switched off. Hadn’t had dinner and definitely felt the nicotine after. Flavor is good, not much transition but nice anyway. The 50 had a more distinct fruit (I felt apricot) sweetness while the 56 is a more general sweetness. Felt some nutmeg and leather but little pepper. A worthy addition to the Curivari line.
Apricot sweetness- interesting. I could see that as a reasonable description in a few cases.
Seven yrs that’s awesome, I remember seven yrs ago, Walt was sporting bigger hoop warnings then Tina turner, Jerry had a porn stache, Brian well u were the same then as now, all kidding aside appreciate the unbiased content
Happy Birthday! Where does the time go? Here’s to many more years of reviews. Don’t remember hearing about these before, are they rolled in Nicaragua?
Nice review sounds like a very nice smoke at a good price
Will definitely have to look for these. Great review, thanks!
Curivaris are hard to come by here, but I’ve heard great things about these and will try like hell to find some. The Reserva Limitada 3000 I had was thoroughly enjoyable.
By the way, in case you’re not using the randomizer, you really are the sexiest contributor at Stogie Review.
Those look pretty tasty there Brian and I will keep an eye out for them . Thanks for the review brother!
Happy Anniversary guys. Great job on the review as usual and I’ll be searching for this stick.
Thanks for the review. I’ll have to look for these in my B&M. Any good cigar priced in the range you listed sounds like a winner!
HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY
I’d love celebrate with you using a new cutter. 🙂
Seriously keep up the good work.
WINNER!
It looks like you’ll get a chance to celebrate with a brand new cutter! Keep an eye on your email!
Agreat looking cigar that won’t come to Long Island NY. If it does it will sell for $15.00 so I can’ afford it. But an awesome reveiw.
If that’s the case, there are a few places that sell them around MSRP online, if you’re interested in picking some up.
Congrats on the 7 years. Definitely the best review site out there with the most personality.
Random comment!
Happy bday SR! Been here since the beginning and still diggin’ the site.
Sounds like a great stick! Just ordered a box. Thanks
Congrats on the 7 years guys!
Nice review Brian and it sounds like a decent cigar at a nice price point. The flavors sound good but I have yet to pick up chalk or sour cream in a cigar, should be interesting.
Thanks for the contest.
Hay thanks for the heads up on this one.
I have placed an order for box of 10 at my local B&M Twins in NH.
Billy
I smoked the BV560 a few weeks ago that it was 7 bucks. Its a good cigar. It was rainy day that the cigar burn was not great that I have to touch-up a few times. The cigar best favors were the two inches in the middle of the BV560.
Congrats on 7 great years as always another great review
1 – Congrats on the 7th birthday.
2 – I want that cutter!
3 – I’m going to have to go find me some of these Buenaventuras. It’s just in my desired size range, and you’ve piqued my interest enough to go looking. That, in and of itself, is impressive, Mr. Hewitt. Nice write-up, sir.
As a cheap ass, I appreciate the well made cigar with a reasonable price tag. I’ll be keeping my eyes open for his one.
I love the ‘tower’ of burn! great review.
7 years… Lord you guys have been around that long… wait… does that mean I have been following this crap for 7 years!!! haha Congrats to all you guys over at Stogie Review… even Mike F! LOL
Happy birthday Stogie Review! Keep up the good work!
I have tried and enjoyed pretty much every Curivari line out there, including the Buenaventura. My favorite is the Seleccion Privada Maduro. I really like the fact that their lines come in 10-count boxes, as I don’t always like to commit to a box of 25, and a 5-pack sometimes leaves me wanting more.
Is the Achilles you mentioned currently available?
Another great review, my local shop does not carry this brand, but upon your review I will be picking up a five pack online to give em a shot. Thanks again for the review, with so many sticks out there you guys make it easier to buy and try new cigars based on good reviews.
Hmm. Wouldn’t mind trying these.
Great review, I’ll definitely keep an eye out for them. Thanks.
Nice review of a stick I’ve been very curious about. Guess ill be trying it out!
Sounds like an interesting smoke, will be searching around for more Curivari stuff in the near future.
I neeeeed that cutter in my life! Come on randomizer!!
Congrats on 7 years! Thanks for the contest!
Great review and congrats on 7 years
Montesino Diplomaticos are my usual budget cigars, but I think I will need to track down a Curivari Buenaventura and personally find out if it is worth adding to my rotation. Thanks for the review!
I’d never heard of Curivari until this review. Seems like a pretty good smoke for the price. Hopefully they bring more lines to the States.
Sounds like a must try for a complex smoke at that price range. I’m trying to budget myself more and more with my smokes, but I don’t want to compromise too much. I enjoy that these type of cigars are out there, and also hope more manufacturers include 10 count boxes.
They have these at my local shop. Great smoke for the money. They smoke a bit fast. Seem to like a higher humidity for storage.
All of the curivaris are solid sticks
Kudos to all on the 7 years!! good job. Will have to check these cigars out if i see them locally. Love the black matte cutter.
Congrats on 7 years! Thanks for all you do!
Wow! 7 years already?! Happy B-day SR! I haven’t had one of these yet but the band looks so familiar…
Happy 7 th Anniversary guys!
Happy, Happy 7th! I purchased a box of the Buenaventure’s and also enjoy them.. Outstanding smokes! Keep up the great work,
Happy Holidays!
RH
Absolutely, my favorite cigar. Size, taste, burn, smoke, construction, character, aroma, and price. You simply cannot beat it, period.
With a name like Throuvalas, a Greek theme wouldn’t shock me. Could be Romanian, though.
These remain a go-to stick with me, also.
I never seem to tire of them.
Agreed, I still love them.
Im new to the world of stogies (1 year) and was kindly swayed to try a Buenaventura 560. After smoking at least 30 different sticks I have become a Beunaventura fan & have started my own cheering squad for these sticks in any size. Best yet!