Assessment Updates will be posted on this web-site to: 1) Assess “pre-review” cigars that were not given a rating or score (typically pre-release cigars); 2) Provide numeric ratings to cigars previously assessed prior to the implementation of the numeric scoring system; 3) A re-assessment and re-score of a previously assessed/score cigars. Today, we provide an assessment rating and score for the Los Regalos Quetzal. This was a cigar we did a pre-release review in November 2012.
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| Los Regalos Quetzal – Robusto |
The Los Regalos Quetzal was the first cigar launched under Emilio Cigars’ Los Regalos line. When the Los Regalos line was announced, brand developer Gary Griffith indicated that this is made in a factory that Emilio had not used up until this point. The Quetzal is the first of what is four blends planned for the series. The Quetzal was released at the end of the 2012 calendar year. We smoked some pre-release samples prior to the end of the 2012 Cigar Coop year (ending Thanksgiving 2012). The Los Regalos Quetzal came in as our #1 pre-release blend for 2012. As the Quetzal has made its way to retailer shelves, this cigar continues to maintain a high standard of excellence and remains some of Emilio’s best work to date.
It was in our pre-release review that Griffith disclosed the blend for the Quetzal. The cigar consists of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with binder and filler described as “Nicaraguan and Dominican”. The cigar was released in five sizes – a robusto, toro, torpedo, corona, and a 6 x 60. While we explored the robusto in the pre-release review, we will look at the toro (not pictured) in the Assessment Update. Overall, we found a lot of parallels between the robusto and the toro.
The Quetzal has not lost a step from a flavor profile since the pre-release. The flavor profile consists of chocolate, orange citrus, pepper, and herb. As we mentioned in the pre-release review, the herbal notes are the differentiator with this blend – giving it a unique identity. The flavors are definitely full-bodied and the strength of the cigar is medium to full. This is a cigar where the flavors have a slight edge over the strength.
The construction to the Quetzal is excellent – and this is reflected in both the burn and draw which is excellent as well.
Click here to read our original assessment of the Los Regalos Quetzal.
Assessment: Memorable
Score: 94
Source: The cigar for this assessment update was provided by Emilio Cigars. Cigar Coop is appreciative for the sample, but in no way does this play a role in our assessment rating and score.
