Agile Cigar Reviews replace what we termed “Assessment Updates”. The concept is the same, but the name is different. Agile Cigar Reviews use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or providing a score for a first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the Las Cumbres Tabaco Senorial Belicoso No. 2 by Jose Blanco. This is a cigar we assessed in the Corona Gorda No. 5 size back in July, 2014.

Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua, Esteli
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano and Dominican Corojo
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera Palma)
Belicoso No. 2: 6 1/4 x 52

Senorial by Jose Blanco is the debut release by new company Las Cumbres Tabaco. This is the company formed by longtime industry veteran Jose Blanco. Blanco is best known for his long-time association with La Aurora Cigars in the Dominican Republic. After a two year stint in Nicaragua at Joya de Nicaragua, Blanco returned the Dominican Republic and formed his company. For the production of his cigar, Blanco is working withTabacalera Palma – the factory owned by his cousin Jochi Blanco.  Today, we take a look at the Belicoso No. 2 size from the Senorial line.  The Senorial was a highly rated blend as it finished as the Cigar Coop #10 Cigar of the Year for 2014.

With Senorial, Blanco built a blend consisting of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder from Esteli, and a filler featuring Dominican Piloto Cubano and Dominican Corojo.  Senorial was launched in five sizes.  The Belicoso No. 2 is the one figuardo in the regular production Senorial line – and it also is the longest cigar as it measures 6 1/4 x 52.  The cigars used for this assessment have been aging in the Cigar Coop humidor for eight months.

The Senorial Belicoso No. 2 delivers a combination of raisin, red pepper, earth, and grain notes.  I found the earlier part of the Belicoso No. 2 had more in the way of raisin sweetness.  As the Belicoso No. 2 moved into the second half, the sweetness diminished and the flavor profile took on more in the way of earth, grain, and pepper notes.  I’ve always found the two signature on the Senorial to be the raisin and grain notes and the Belicoso No. 2 definitely keeps to this blend’s form.

Strength-wise, I found this eight month aged Senorial Belicoso No. 2 to be a little more dialed back compared what I have smoked in this line – and this worked beautifully with the flavor profile.  In terms of strength, the Belicoso No. 2 started out medium before progressing to medium to full in the second half.  The body was also slightly diminished as it started out medium to full before moving to full-bodied in the second third.

Overall this is a very nice cigar in the Senorial blend.  While I’d still put the Corona Gorda No. 5 as the “Belle of the Ball” (best vitola in the line), the Belicoso No. 2 certainly holds its own – and it’s very much a box worthy cigar.

Summary

Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium (1st Half), Medium to Full (2nd Half)
Body: Medium to Full (1st Half), Full (2nd Half)
Finish: Good
Assessment: 4.0 – Box Worthy
Score: 91

References

Original Assessment: Las Cumbres Tabaco Senorial by Jose Blanco
News: Jose Blanco’s Las Cumbres Tabaco Senorial To Launch in June
Price: $11.00
Source: Purchased
Stogie Geeks Podcast: Episode 135
Stogie Feed: Las Cumbres Tabaco Senorial by Jose Blanco Corona Gordo No. 5