“The Senorial is a converging of a perfect storm – namely combining excellent tobacco with someone of Blanco’s blending knowledge. The end result is that this cigar is a home run.”
Coming in at #10 is the Las Cumbres Tabaco Senorial by Jose Blanco. This is the first release by Jose Blanco’s new own company Las Cumbres Tabaco. For this cigar, Blanco returned to his roots in the Dominican Republic and teamed up with his cousin cousin Jochi Blanco at the Tabacalera La Palma company. Las Cumbres Tabaco becomes the second new company in 2014 to place a cigar on this year’s Cigar of the Year Countdown.
The Senorial is one of those lines that offers a different smoking experience in each of the vitolas. There are some core characteristics across the lines. Perhaps the best thing about this cigar is it really is unique flavor-wise and doesn’t smoke like anything else. Overall I found these cigars deliver notes of black pepper, nut, and natural tobacco. Two flavors that really stood out for me with this cigar were notes of raisin and notes of grain.
Blanco said this is the strongest cigar he has blended. While he is not known for nicotine bombs, I still found this cigar to be medium to full in strength. There is no shortage of the flavors as they are full-bodied. The construction was excellent.
This is a cigar that has continued to get better over time. This is a one of the best regular production lines to be released in 2014 and its one that folks will enjoy for a long time.
Click here for our-depth assessment of the Las Cumbres Tabaco Senorial by Jose Blanco
Blend Profile
Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua, Esteli
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano and Dominican Corojo
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera La Palma)
Vitolas Available
Corona Gorda No. 5: 5 1/2 x 46
Paco Robusto: 5 1/4x 52
Belicoso No. 2: 6 1/4 x 52
Toro Bravo: 6 x 54
Le Grand: 6 x 60
Recommended Vitola: Corona Gorda No. 5 (5 1/2 x 46)
Assessment: 4.0 – Box Worthy
Score: 93 (7/8/14)
For more information on our vision and criteria for the 2014 Cigar of the Year countdown, see our December 2014 Editor’s Corner.
Aged Selects is a sponsor of the 2014 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown. They offer cigar enthusiasts with premium long filler cigars aged at least five years at an extradordinary price. The expert buyers at Aged Selects go to the factories of major manufacturers and buy cigars that have been aging their cigars for years. The team at Aged Selects inspect them, smoke them, and package them up to ensure you are getting the best quality cigar to smoke. The best part is they are provided to you at an affordable price. Order them at www.cigarfrontier.com.
