Late in 2018, Crux Cigars announced a series of three line extensions known as the Short Salomone Series. It’s a limited production line extension that would add a 6 x 54 Short Salomone vitola to three of Crux Cigars’ lines: Crux Guild, Crux Epicure, and Crux Limitada. Since its launch in 2014, most of the company’s releases have been parejo (rounded) shaped cigars, so the Short Salomone is a bit of a change. While Guild and Epicure are regular production lines, as the name indicates the Limitada line is Crux’s limited production line. The Crux Limitada Short Salomone is one of the smaller productions offered in the Limitada line as it was limited to 300 ten-count boxes. Today, we take a closer look into the Crux Limitada Short Salomone.

The Crux Limitada line was first launched in 2015 with the release of the Crux Limitada PB5. Since 2015, the Limitada line has expanded to five sizes. 2016 saw the second vitola released with the Crux Limitada (IPCPR) Show Exclusive (now called The Show), a box-pressed Robusto. The PB5 and Show Exclusive have for the most part seen annual releases since their launch. Three additional sizes were announced in 2018 and had their first launch in 2019. This includes the Crux Limitada RedLine (Box Pressed Toro), the Crux Limitada Gunner (Corona Gorda). and the Crux Limitada Short Salomone.

Without further ado, let’s break down the Crux Limitada Short Salomone and see what this cigar brings to the table.

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

The Crux Limitada series has a common denominator in that it uses a Nicaraguan Enganoso wrapper. This is a proprietary wrapper that Crux has been able to procure for its own exclusive use. Since there is a finite supply of the tobacco, Crux has decided to use it exclusively for its Crux Limitada series. It is what makes the line a limited production line.

In addition to the Nicaraguan Enganoso wrapper, there is a Connecticut Broadleaf binder and an undisclosed filler consisting of five different tobaccos. As with most Crux cigars, the Crux Limitada is produced at the Plasencia factory in Estelí.

Wrapper: Enganoso (Estelí, Nicaragua)
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Five Tobaccos (undisclosed)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.

Vitolas Offered

As mentioned the Crux Limitada line consists of five sizes. Each is presented in 10-count boxes

PB5: 5 3/4 x 54
The Show: 5 x 52
RedLine: 6 x 50
Short Salomone: 6 x 54
Gunner: 5 3/8 x 46

Appearance

The Enganoso wrapper of the Crux Limitada Short Salomone had the Colorado red hue seen across the other vitolas. There wasn’t much in the way of oil on it. At the same time, the wrapper had some thin veins and thin visible wrapper seams. There was a sharp taper closing at the tip on the head of the cigar. There is a nozzle-liked taper on the other end of the cigar leading to an open footer.

Prior to the 2019 IPCPR Trade Show, Crux announced it was undergoing a major rebranding and repackaging of its entire portfolio. The 2019 releases of the Crux Limitada line have utilized the old packaging. Crux previewed what the packaging for the Limitada will look like in the future at this year’s Trade Show.

Unlike the other cigars previously released in the Crux Limitada line, there is a single band one the Crux Limitada Short Salomone. It uses the original Crux Limitada band. The band is black on the upper portion and silver on the lower portion. In landscape mode is the white and red Crux logo on the black background section. There are also some silver designs on this portion of the band. On the far right of the band (going around the back) is a black, white, and red “crusader-like” dagger. On the silver portion is the text “LIMITADA” in white font (not in landscape mode).

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw

A short amount of the tip of the Crux Limitada Short Salomone was removed using a straight cut. This allowed for the cigar experience to factor in the tapering effect. Once the tip was removed it was on to the pre-light draw. The dry draw delivered notes of earth, baker’s spice, plum sweetness, and natural tobacco. Overall this was a satisfying pre-light draw experience. At this point it was time to light up the Crux Limitada Short Salomone and see what the smoking phase would deliver.

Tasting Notes

The Crux Limitada Short Salomone started out with notes of plum, chocolate, natural tobacco, mixed pepper, baker’s spice, and earth. During the first third, the plum and chocolate notes moved into the forefront – with the chocolate note having a slight edge. The natural tobacco, mixed pepper, baker’s spice, and earth settled in the background. There also was an extra layer of black pepper on the retro-hale.

During the second third, the chocolate and plum notes began to decrease in intensity. At the same time, the earth and pepper started to increase. This was a gradual and linear process where the sweetness moved into a secondary note. By the end of the second third, the earth and pepper move into the forefront with the plum, chocolate, natural tobacco, and baker’s spice in the background.

The last third of the Crux Limitada Short Salomone didn’t see much change in the profile as the earth and pepper remained primary, but was rounded out by the plum, chocolate, natural tobacco and baker’s spice. This is the way the experience of the Crux Limitada Short Salomone closed out. The resulting nub was slightly soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn

The burn of the Crux Limitada Short Salomone had some occasional jaggedness along the way. This was remedied by some touch-ups and this didn’t keep the cigar from maintaining a relatively straight burn path. The resulting ash wasn’t overly firm, but it was not loose nor flaky either. The burn rate and burn temperature both performed at ideal levels.

Draw

The draw to the Crux Limitada Short Salomone had an open, but not loose draw to it. While I normally prefer a little more snugness on the draw, this was still a low maintenance cigar to derive flavor from.

Strength and Body

In terms of strength and body, the Crux Limitada Short Salomone delivered a medium strength, medium to full-bodied cigar from start to finish. Along the way, I didn’t find many significant increases of the intensity levels of either attribute. When it came to strength versus body, I gave a slight edge to the body.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

Overall I have been quite pleased with both the Crux Limitada lines and the Crux Short Salomone series. The Crux Limitada Short Salomone brings the best of both worlds. In particular, I found the Limitada blend to be nicely represented as a 6 x 54 Short Salomone as this cigar does a nice job at concentrating the flavors of this cigar, and giving the cigar a little more in the way of complexity. The Crux Limitada Show Exclusive still stands as my favorite of the Crux Limitada releases, but you still can’t go wrong with the Limitada Short Salomone. It’s a cigar I could recommend to an experienced cigar enthusiast or a novice looking to smoke something medium plus in a connoisseur size.

Summary

Key Flavors: Plum, Earth, Pepper, Chocolate, Baker’s Spice, Natural Tobacco
Burn: Very Good
Draw: Very Good
Complexity: Medium Plus
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium to Full
Finish: Very Good