San Cristobal Revelation is a Nicaraguan smoke by the legendary Don Pepin Garcia. Produced in Esteli at his My Father factory, its Ecuador Sumatra wrapper contains a vintage tobacco filler and a binder made using only the best.

After sweeping the trade shows off their feet, this medium-strength stick finally hit the mainstream market, and in this San Cristobal cigar review we'll tell you all you need to know about this work of art.

A little background on San Cristobal cigars

San Cristobal Cigars follow the Cuban tradition of artisan hand rolling. Jose Pepin Garcia - known now as just 'Pepin' - started rolling cigars aged 11 and over the decades since, has staked a claim as one of the foremost producers of Nicaraguan cigars.

What cigars is San Cristobal known for?

The San Cristobal seal appears on four cigars to date, with a good number of vitolas available for each: San Cristobal Revelation legend cigars come in six sizes with satisfyingly original names like Legend, Leviathan, Mystic, Odyssey, Prophet, and Triumph according to their length and girth.

San Cristobal

The inaugural blend from the brand is a benchmark for Nicaraguan cigars. The San Cristobal promises complexity of flavor, combined with prominent texture, and scores well in reviews. It's also a puro, containing only premium aged Nicaraguan tobaccos, making it one worth experiencing at least once in your life.

San Cristobal Elegancia

Elegancia is a paler stick thanks to its Ecuador Connecticut wrapper. It's also a crowd-pleaser, with a nutty and creamy flavor profile that holds wide appeal for people of all palates.

This exquisite alternative to the original San Cristobal cigar lives up to its name with more subtlety and is ideal for beginners who want to explore their personal palate without being overpowered.

San Cristobal Ovation

The limited-edition San Cristobal Ovation contrasts strongly with the pale wrapper of Elegancia. This time, a well-aged Oscuro leaf is used, giving a dark brown appearance that follows through into flavors of wood, cocoa, and hickory. Dense and decadent, it's a limited edition boutique cigar worthy of hunting down.

What you need to know about the San Cristobal Revelation Line

San Cristobal Revelation Cigars was first introduced in 2013 as the latest addition to the San Cristobal line, which was created in 2007. San Cristobal are Nicaraguan boutique cigars that have proved popular since their launch.

Revelation is a strong contender to become any enthusiast's favorite release from the brand, with a distinctive depth of flavor and the signature pepper spice Garcia is famous for.

What can I expect from the cold draw?

On the initial draw, there's deep cocoa, caramel, and citrus, with earthiness and spice. Rich and tantalizing, it's just the first hint of what's to come.

What flavors should I expect?

San Cristobal Revelation is medium strength but has excellent depth of flavor, without being overwhelming. It's a joy from the first puff until the last of the ash has fallen.

First third 

The first third is quite sweet, tempered with spices, and a real palate pleaser. You may detect some of the citrus from the cold draw, as well as an emerging chocolate taste as the burn progresses.

Second third

Hay starts to make an appearance now, along with an increase in peppery spice, Garcia's signature ingredient. The burn is even and reliable, so you shouldn't have to keep relighting.

Final third 

Pepin's pepper stays strong through the final third, as the chocolate returns along with a cedar wood taste. A swell of intensity brings an incredible journey to a close.

Taking a look at the strength profile

Revelation is not just about strength but is also about carefully balanced, complex flavors. Having said that, the medium profile has depth at the start and intensity at the end, without becoming too much at any point.

How is the cigar constructed?

Construction is masterful, as you'd expect. Seams are all but invisible, veins are small, and the stick is finished with an elegant triple cap. There's a little give along the length of the cigar, but it's well packed and finished with a beautiful, colorful band.

Final thoughts

If you enjoyed our San Cristobal Revelation legend review, why not try the cigar for yourself? It's available in singles if you don't want to commit, or boxes of 24 with bulk savings on price. We have six vitolas to choose between, so you can get your hands on a size that suits you.

Find more great artisan smokes like this one in our guide, Top Boutique Cigars for Beginners.