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 Flor de Selva Petit by Maya Selva Cigars. This is a cigar we have previously assessments on, most recently in the Toro size back in July, 2015.
Flor de Selva Petit
Wrapper: Connecticut from Talanga
Binder: Habano Jamastran
Filler: Honduran
Country of Origin: Honduras
Petit: 3 1/2 x 20
Flor de Selva is one of three lines of cigars produced by Honduran cigar maker Maya Selva Cigars. Maya Selva Cigars has long been established in Europe, but for the past two years, the company has made a push in the U.S. market. Flor de Selva is Maya Selva Cigars’ oldest line as it has been in existence for two decades. The line is offered in two options, one featuring a Honduran Connecticut Shade wrapper and one with a maduro option. Between Europe and the U.S market, the Flor de Selva Connecticut offering is available in fifteen different vitolas. Today, we take a look at the smallest offering in the Connecticut blend, the 3 1/2 x 20 Flor de Selva Petit.
While the Flor de Selva Petit might look like a cigarillo, it is a hand-rolled long-filler cigar. The Flor de Selva Petit consists of one whole tobacco leaf along with a wrapper and binder. The cigar itself is a Honduran puro highlighted by a Connecticut seed wrapper grown in the Talanga region of Honduras.
The Flor de Selva Petit is offered in both ten count and twenty count boxes. Recently some packaging changes have been introduced to include countertop wooden display units.
Flor de Selva Petit Display Units- 20 Count Box (Left), 10 Count Box (Right) – Photo Credit: Maya Selva Cigars
20 Count Box – Flor de Selva Petit
I found the Flor de Selva Petit is to be a mild cigar offering in terms of strength and body. At the same time, it is a cigar that has no shortage of flavor. It delivers notes of cream, cedar, and a slight natural tobacco sweetness. The second half had more in the way of cedar spice and less of the cream and natural tobacco. The construction was flawless as this cigar had an excellent burn and draw.
Open 20 Count Box – Flor de Selva Petit (Cedar covering)
Open 20 Count Box – Flor de Selva Petit (Cedar covering removed)
While I don’t feel a 3 1/2 x 40 cigar will replace the experience of smoking a traditional sized premium large cigar, I do understand there is a place for a cigar like this. The fact that the Flor de Selva Petit is constructed like a premium cigar works in favor this cigar. This is a cigar that isn’t overly complex, but it does deliver some nice flavor. It fills the role of “short quick smoke” nicely for someone looking a milder smoke. While this cigar is sold in 10 or 20 packs, normalizing this to our assessment rating system, it still ranks well as a fiver.
Summary
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Low
Strength: Mild
Body: Mild
Finish: Good
Assessment: 3.0-The Fiver
Score: 88
References
News: Maya Selva Cigars Unveils Countertop Packaging for Flor de Selva Petit-Cigar
Price: $18.00 (Ten Count), $36.00 (Twenty Count)
Source: Cigars Provided by Manufactuer
Stogie Geeks Podcast: Episode 153
Stogie Feed: Flor de Selva Petit by Maya Selva Cigars
Brand Reference: Maya Selva Cigars
