#15: Emilio Draig K (Corona)

At #15 in our 2012 Cigar of the Year Countdown is the Emilio Draig K.  When we assessed the Draig K, we started by saying this might “have been one of the most anticipated cigar releases by a smaller sized cigar company ever. ”  It was a little over a year ago when brand developer Gary Griffith announced the Draig K.  The intent was that this would be a small batch, limited production cigar.  Griffith originally said the plan would be to use a different factory and produce a different blend each year, so there could be more “Draig-like” blends in the future.  However, he was quoted on his web-site saying that “Assuming continued availability of the wrapper tobacco we may produce these annually.“ 

It is the wrapper that makes this cigar a game changer in our book.  The use of the Colombian Cubanito Maduro wrapper is a game changer.   It is our feeling that this wrapper brings one of the most unique flavor profiles to any cigar released this year.  The cigar made its debut this summer, and we assessed it in July.  While it was a memorable smoke back then, the cigar has gotten even better with a little age.

This marks Emilio’s first cigar to make an appearance on this year’s countdown.   It also marks the second consecutive year that Emilio has appeared on our Cigar of the Year countdown.   It is the first wrapper ever in the history of the Cigar of the Year countdown to use a wrapper from Colombia.

As mentioned the Draig K has a unique flavor profile.  It brings traditional maduro notes of dark chocolate, baker’s spice, and leather.  It also brings a-typical notes of herbs and apple spice.  The cigar has a wonderful tobacco feel layered on top of these flavors.  The flavors are rich and robust – definitely a full-bodied smoke.  The strength isn’t quite as deep but still qualifies as medium to full.

Click here for our original assessment of the Emilio Draig K.

Blend Profile

For this cigar, Griffith teams up with Nestor Plasencia’s El Paraiso factory.

Wrapper: Colombian Cubanito Maduro
Binder: Unknown
Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan

Vitolas Available

Corona: 5 1/2 x 42
Robusto: 5 x 50
Toro: 6 x 50

Recommended Vitola: Robusto