The 1502 Nicaragua pays tribute to  the home country of Enrique Sanchez, Founder and CEO of Global Premium Cigars, in both name and blend. This Nicaraguan puro utilizes tobaccos from the four main tobacco growing regions of Nicaragua – Esteli, Condega, Jalapa, and Ometepe. Produced at Plasencia Cigars S.A. in Esteli, Nicaragua, the Nicaragua is available in a single robusto (5 by 50) vitola and sold in boxes of 30. Distribution of the 1502 brand is manged by the House of Emilio led by the one and only Gary Griffith, who handles distribution for well know “boutique” companies such as Ezra Zion and Nomad Cigar Co.

The Facts

Samples Provided by House of Emilio
Price: $6.50
Vitola: Robusto
Size: 5 by 50
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 15 Minutes
Drink: Water

Pre-light

The 1502 Nicaragua is draped in a medium tan leaf that is full of character and has a reddish or rust-like hue. Small veins are webbed all over the leaf, a few medium veins, and some bumps are easily seen. However, to the touch, the wrapper feels velvety smooth. A medium aroma is found on the wrapper with a natural tobacco sweetness and muskiness. The “cigar lock” foot shows off notes of chocolate and wet earth.

The double-cap gets the job done. A very shallow cut opens up a perfect soft draw bringing forth thick notes of graham cracker, chocolate, cedar, and cherry. While I did not pick up much spice in terms of flavor, my lips are left with a tingle and a slight itch is felt in the back of my throat.

First Third

Putting a soft flame to the foot of the cigar, tons of oils begin to seep out of the leaf. Full, rich flavors are first to greet my palate. After a few minutes, the richness tones down allowing cedar and toasted notes through. A natural tobacco sweetness is providing a nice balance to the flavors. The smoke is thick in the mouth coating all surfaces. I am not finding as much spice as expected, but a black pepper flavor lingers on the palate, while cedar and pepper are showcased on the retrohale. Even with the a couple touch-ups during the first third and a flaky looking ash, the ash still held well.

Middle Third

Transitioning into the second third of the 1502 Nicaragua, the rich cedar is carrying the cigar along with a creamy mouth feel. Earthy/leather notes have arrived and the pepper spice is picking up in terms of flavor and heat. Smoke production is rocking, but the burn continues to struggle. So far the strength is sitting in the medium range, but, as I retrohale the smoke more often, I am beginning to feel a slight nicotine kick. In the middle of the cigar, a newly found dusty cocoa has join in, but mainly on the finish.

Final Third

As the cigars winds down, I am finding more toasted notes and pepper. The smoke continues to be rich and a small sip of water is necessary to reset the palate every few puff. The natural tobacco sweetness has diminished and a vanilla bean flavor surprises me just before I am about to put the cigar to rest. The vanilla flavors is similar to that which you might find on the nose of a spiced rum.

Wrap-up

The soft box-press on the 1502 Nicaragua robusto made this cigar seem smaller than it actually is. And being a fan of small ring gauge cigars, that is not a bad thing. The performance of the first sample I smoked was below par, requiring several touch-ups in each third and completely extinguishing at one point. However, I easily looked beyond the performance because of the exceptional flavors the 1502 Nicaragua delivered. And I am happy to report the same burn issues were not experienced in the second sample. Between the rich cedar, complimented by a medium spice and natural tobacco sweetness, full flavors, full body, and medium-high strength, this cigar hit my palate just right. For a price of $6.50, the 1502 Nicaragua is one of my favorite smokes this year!

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• Crux Ninfamaniac 
• Crux Ninfamaniac Dark
• Crux Passport
• Crux Skeeterz

This is what I had to say in my review of the Passport:

Crux Cigar Company took a very ambitious approach with scheduling the release of six blends in two months. However, ambition does not always translate into good product. But that has not been the case with the Nimfamaniac, Nimfamaniac Dark, and Skeeterz reviewed by Tony, and it is certainly not the case with the Passport….There is finally a new company on the scene that I am excited to get fully behind. Crux Cigars is a company you will need to watch out for in 2014.

During my last visit to El Paso in early December, Tony gave me a few samples received from Crux Cigars of the Classic and Bull & Bear for review. Based on my past experience with Crux cigars, I was itching to light one up as soon as I had it in my hands.  Today, I bring to you my last review for 2014 of the Crux Classic Toro Marblehead. I am hoping to have the review of the Bull & Bear posted the first week of January.

Produced at Plasencia S.A in Esteli, Nicaragua, the Crux Classic is available in three vitolas: Robusto (5 by 50), Toro (6 by 52), and Churchill (6 ¾ by 47). The Toro and Churchill vitola sports a unique “Marblehead” cap. According to Crux Cigars website:

Inspired by the classic Cuban 109, the Crux Marblehead is a tapered and rounded cap with eye-catching aesthetics. This sleek and elegant finish allows the cigar smoker to control the flow for a smaller or larger draw. Additionally, it gives larger ring gauge cigars a more desirable mouth feel.

The 109 cap is not completely uncommon to non-Cuban cigars and can be found on cigars by Tatuaje and Illusione. Even so, it adds a great touch to this already gorgeous looking stick.

The Facts

Samples Provided by Crux Cigars
Price: Unknown
Vitola: Toro
Size: 6 by 52
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa)
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes
Drink: Water

Pre-light

The medium brown, Nicaraguan Habano wrapper from the Jalapa region is full of character with dark water spots, bumps, and an abundant amount of visible veins. The oils on the leaf gives the cigar a glossy look. Notes of cedar and natural tobacco, along with faint pungency are found on the wrapper, while fuller notes of cedar, raisin, and dark chocolate are found on the foot of the cigar.

A mild pepper sting is felt in my sinuses as I bring the unlit foot of the cigar to my nose. A shallow cut of the Marblehead, triple cap gives way to a draw that a bit more resistance than preferred. If the cigar does not open up once lit, I have plenty of room to cut deeper, if needed.  A bouquet of flavors are highlighted on the dry draw consisting of notes of dark fruit, oak, cocoa, and pepper.

First Third

The Crux Classic is opening with chewy flavors of oak, lemon zest, earth, and pepper. There is a somewhat vegetal finish to the smoke. With the cigar heating up, the oils become much more apparent below the eyeliner burn-line.  The pepper is mild in the mouth, but really pops on the retrohale, accompanied with some dry cedar. Progressing further into the cigar, the spice begins to play a more significant role in the profile, which is now warming my palate.  As the cigar burns evenly, a layered, gray ash is left behind holding firmly to an inch before dropping in the ashtray.

Middle Third

Not getting the smoke production desired in the first third,  I decide to clip another small section of the cap. And I am glad I did. The cigar has opened up and a copious amount of smoke is easily pulled into my mouth with each draw. The first third would be characterized by medium flavors and mild to medium spice. So far in the middle third, flavors are full and the spice is right in step. The smoke continues to feel thick and chewy in the mouth, and the profile has evolved to darker notes of coffee, cocoa, and oak. The cocoa is heavy on the finish of the smoke and lingers on the palate for some time.

Final Third

The woodsy notes, more of a cedar at this point, are front and center. Some toasted notes, with a mild marshmallow sweetness has joined the mix, and the finish remains in-line with second third. The performance of the Crux Classic has been exceptional as I approach an hour and 30 minutes of smoke time.

Wrap-up

I was very skeptical of the Crux Classic as I approached this review. Not because I had a poor experience with another line, but because all of my past experience with Crux Cigars has been almost too positive. It is hard enough to release one excellent cigar, it is even harder when it is your first year of business as a manufacturer, and it is almost impossible to release more than one exceptional cigar in your first year of business. Crux Cigars has done the impossible. The Crux Classic adds a new dimension to their already quality line-up. This is is an easy box purchase in my book. I am already dreaming of the day when my humidor will be full of Nimfamaniacs, Skeeterz, Passports, and Classics. Maybe that is what I will ask Santa for next year.

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