This year at IPCPR, Balmoral Cigars introduced a new line extension to their Anejo XO line called Nicaragua. This new line uses select tobaccos from Nicaragua for the wrapper and filler. They use a Nicaraguan Habano tobacco for the wrapper and an unknown Nicaraguan tobacco in the filler. You can watch our interviews with President and CEO of Balmoral Cigar, Boris Wintermans, where he discusses the new Anejo XO Nicaragua. This makes the 4th addition in the Anejo XO line, following the Anejo XO, Anejo XO Connecticut, and Anejo XO Oscuro. The Anejo XO Nicaragua is made at the Agio Caribbean Tobacco Company factory in San Pedro de Macorís.
- Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
- Binder: Brazilian Cubra
- Filler: Nicaraguan, Brazilian and Dominican
- MSRP: $10.50
- Size: 6×52
- Vitola: Gran Toro
- Box Size: 20
Pre-Light
The cigar has a nice, smooth wrapper with a reddish-brown hue with a well-applied cap. The band they chose for the new Nicaragua is the same band as the rest of the line with new colors. They chose maroon and ivory as the colors for the new band which looks really nice on the reddish-brown wrapper. After clipping the cap, I tested the draw which was near perfect, only very slightly a little loose. I got notes of cedar, earth, and nuts.
First Half
The Balmoral Anejo XO Nicaragua starts off really nice. I get notes of cedar, red pepper flakes, caramel, and toasted nuts. It’s a really nice mix of spicy and sweet on the flavor profile. The cigar has a very long finish as well and is very smooth. The cigar is full-bodied and full-flavored.
Second Half
The Balmoral Anejo XO Nicaragua has more spice notes on the last half than the first. I get black pepper and some cinnamon now with the black pepper being the backbone of the cigar. The caramel sweetness is toned down now with the toasted nuts also being toned down a bit. I’m also getting a slight espresso note, faintly, in the background.
Overall Impressions
I really like the Balmoral Anejo XO Nicaragua, even more than my beloved Anejo XO Connecticut. It’s very well balanced, great flavors, and a long finish, all of which is a great recipe for a winner. While I love the Connecticut, a lot, I just think this one has a little more going on that makes it more interesting to me. It’s another box worthy cigar for me, as is the Connecticut. Check them out while you can. With the sale of Balmoral Cigars to Scandinavian Tobacco Group, none of us know what will happen to the Anejo XO line.
