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Espinosa Laranja Reserva Cigar Review

Espinosa Laranja Reserva Cigar Review

Brief History of Espinosa Laranja Reserva

When Erik Espinosa arrived at the 2014 PCA show, I’m not sure if he anticipated the love that would be shown for the new cigars he was bringing to showcase, especially to the Laranja Reserva. “Laranja Reserva” is Portuguese for “orange”, which is in reference to the gorgeous-looking wrapper shade color the Laranja Reserva provides.

Hailing from the La Zona factory in Nicaragua, the Espinosa Laranja Reserva was handcrafted by Erik Espinosa himself, alongside his team of expert rollers.

Receiving a 94 rating, as well as a spot in the Top 25 Cigars of the Year in 2015 for Cigar Aficionado, it’s clear as day that Erik Espinosa was in touch with every aspect of blending and gave it his all when he created the Laranja Reserva all those years ago.

Cigar Specs

Cold Draw

With the Espinosa Laranja Reserva being one of the more colorful flavor profiles under the Espinosa portfolio, I was able to easily point out some of my favorite flavor notes I trace in most cigars I smoke from different cigars companies throughout my week.

Once I snipped the cap off, my palate noticed two very different, delicious tones that I was not expecting.  At first, I detected a hickory sweetness, which was a pleasant surprise. The second note I was able to pinpoint was a touch of rich almond that almost gave off a cocoa taste I thoroughly enjoyed.

With these two bulbing notes I tasted during my cold draw, my anticipation to light up the Espinosa Laranja Reserva for the very first time was at an all-time high.

First Third

Ten minutes into my first third of the Laranja cigar review and lingering notes of hickory and rich almond were still very much a presence on my palate.

The next flavor that I identified was a note I was told would be one of the main notes throughout this delicious gem. The pervasiveness of orange flooded my taste buds with each puff.

This combination of the orange mixed with the hickory woodsy tone is one of the best amalgamations of flavors I’ve ever experienced while smoking.

Second Third

As I entered the middle of the cigar known as the “second third”, orange, hickory sweetness, and rich almond flavor notes remained very much prominent with each draw I took of the cigar.

I wasn’t expecting to detect any other notes while enjoying this smoke, but a dash of cinnamon and honey were thrown into the mix. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it at first.

However, when I continued my smoking experience, I thought the cinnamon enhanced the smoke to new heights and made this easily one of my favorite smokes I’ve enjoyed all year thus far.

Final Third

At the end of my experience, no new flavor notes came to my palate. I was still thoroughly enjoying the orange citrus flavor that lasted throughout the entire smoke, as well as the hickory sweetness.

One flavor that seemed to disappear from my palate altogether was the rich almond flavor that was so present in the first two-thirds. Overall, this was one of the tastier cigars I’ve ever smoked.

Overall Strength

This is another cigar where the looks are very deceiving. The golden twinkle the Brazilian wrapper provides will trick you into thinking it’s more of a medium-bodied cigar.

But the construction, as well as the complexity of the binder and filler gives the cigar more of a bite than you’d expect, making this exceptional smoke more of a fuller-bodied treat.

Pairings

With the predominant flavor note that flows throughout the smoke being citrus and orange, I went with my favorite beer to pair alongside this gem.

Allagash Brewing Company based out of Portland, Maine has a very popular beer called the “Allagash White”. It’s very similar in taste to Blue Moon, but I personally find it more refreshing. So, I enjoyed a 16. oz can of Allagash White alongside this flavorful smoke.

The flavors complemented one another perfectly. Before summer's end, I plan on having a lot more of both the Laranja Reserva and an Allagash White!

In Conclusion

Available in five different sizes, that come in a cedar box of 10 and 20, which averages out to be $9.25 per cigar, the Laranja Reserva by Erik Episonsa is extremely affordable for any novice or seasoned cigar smoker out there.

If you’re looking for a cigar to enjoy in the summertime, or in a tropical paradise of any kind, then the Espinosa Laranja Reserva is the cigar for you and your humidor today!

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