Nestor Miranda – Casa Miranda Chapter Two

By Jeremy Hensley | February 14, 2014

After almost two-weeks of fighting a nasty cold, I am back in action with a review of the Casa Miranda Chapter Two by Nestor Miranda. My palate is fresh and fully awake,  sinuses clear, and I’m ready to take on this 6 by 46 Corona Gorda.

Back in July, Tony reviewed the pre-release version of this cigar and had this to say:

Miami Cigar is poised to release the second chapter in the Casa Miranda series, the Chapter Two. Two years ago they released the Nestor Miranda Casa Miranda Chapter One (you can read my review here) which was blended by the Miami-Based El Titan De Bronze company. The Chapter One was the first cigar in the Miami Cigar portfolio not blended by My Father. Going back to it’s roots the company decided to have the Chapter Two blended at the My Father Factory S.A. in Esteli, Nicaragua and should be released in the next few months as it’s being showcased as I write this at this year’s IPCPR convention in Las Vegas. Nestor Miranda’s Casa Miranda Chapter two will come in 4 sizes: Robusto (4.5 x 50), Corona Gorda (6 x 46),  Toro (5.5 x 54), and the Toro (6 x 60). The cigar will range between $6.35 and $8.00 a stick. Much cheaper than the Chapter One which ranged between $10 and $12 a stick when it was first released. Jason Wood noted that the price point was one of the main factors in decided to move the production of the Chapter Two over to My Father.

Barry Stein of Miami Cigar & Company confirmed with Tony that the final blend is different from the pre-release. The information on the wrapper and fillers remain the same as the pre-release so I expect it was just a minor tweak to blend.

The Casas Fumando crew has reviewed a good number of Nestor’s products. You can find the reviews below:

• Art Deco
• Casa Miranda Chapter One 
• Casa Miranda Chapter Two (Pre-release)
• Collection 1989
• Special Selection Exclusivo Regional

The Facts

Samples Provided by Miami Cigar & Company
MSRP: $7.00
Vitola: Corona Gorda
Size: 6 by 46
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder:Unknown
Filler: Brazilian, Dominican, and Nicaraguan
Drink: Ginger Ale
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 10 Minutes

Pre-light

The Chapter Two wears an oily Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper leaf full of veins and bumps. The color is milk chocolate-brown with a deep red hue. As I search for soft spots I can feel the oils from the leaf on my fingers. The cigar gives slightly when squeezed but there are no soft spots to be found. The wrapper gives off aromas of sweet barnyard and earth, with an underlying pungency.

The foot aroma is extremely welcoming with a milk chocolate sweetness and dark fruit notes. I can feel just the slightest tickle in my nasal passage after smelling the foot of the cigar. Clipping through the first layer of the triple cap, I find a beautiful draw that is bringing forth rich flavors of clove and cedar.

First Third

Right out of the gate, the Casa Miranda Chapter Two is starting with a ton of flavor and a copious amount of thick, chewy smoke. There is a lot going on in the flavor department, starting with some richness, cedar, and spice. The spice is showing a good amount of heat in my mouth, almost like the sensation after eating a little too much cinnamon. I am finding some cocoa and coffee on the long finish of the smoke. The burn line is thick and even. The ash is light in color, a bit flaky, and holding up to an inch.

Middle Third

As I burn my way into the second third, I am starting to feel quite a nicotine kick. This stick may be a little hard for me to stomach if it keeps moving up in strength. Coming out of My Father Cigars, I was expecting pepper spice but just not the depth and variation of spices I am coming across. I am finding some cinnamon, clove,  and black pepper spice. The cedar flavor is rich and deep. The back-end of the flavors have turned somewhat acidic with a diesel-like flavor. The retrohale is sharp but not overpowering of mostly black pepper. The ash has darkened and is now much more flaky. The burn line has gotten off track requiring a touch-up.

Final Third

The earthy, diesel-like flavor and black coffee are at the front of the profile, the richness remains, and some sweetness has arrived. The cedar that was rich and deep is now smoky. The cocoa is stepping up its game as the cigar begins to wind down. With an inch and a half remaining, I have across a small void in the filler tobaccos decreasing the smoke production and making it difficult to smoke. Putting a flame to it didn’t bring relief so it is time to put down this Corona Gorda Chapter Two.

Wrap-up

Even though Tony wasn’t overly impressed with the pre-release version, he had this to say: “Keep in mind, these are pre-releases and the final cigars will be in top shape when they hit shelves…” – Man, was Tony right. The Chapter Two presented itself completely different from the pre-release sample that I also had opportunity to smoke. The only flaw I encountered with the Casa Miranda Chapter Two was the tunneling at the very end. I do not see this as a recurring problem and I did not experience it in the second sample. If you enjoy deep, dark flavors and a good amount of spice, I recommend that you give the Chapter Two a try. And for the price, you won’t be breaking the bank.