In 2020, Tabacalera SLU would release its third cigar in its VegaFina Gran Reserva series, the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020. It was back in 1998 when the VegaFina Grand Reserva series would make its debut with the VegaFina Gran Reserva 20 Aniversario. As the name indicates the Gran Reserva 20 Aniversario was released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the VegaFina brand. Since the 2018, VegaFina has released two additional installments: the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2019 and now the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020. Today we take a closer look at the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020.

The Gran Reserva concept is something that is best known for being in the Habanos S.A. portfolio. It involves aging tobaccos for longer periods of time. The VegaFina Gran Reserva 2019 utilizes that same concept. Keeping to the tradition of the Gran Reserva having extra-aged tobaccos, all of the tobaccos on the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 have been aged for five years.

As with the previous installments of in the VegaFina Gran Reserva line, the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 has only been made in the European market. The VegaFina brand has been one that has been popular in Europe – especially the Spanish market. At the same time, some of the VegaFina releases have made it to the U.S. and have been distributed by Altadis USA.

Without further ado, let’s break down the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 and see what this cigar brings to the table.

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

The blend for the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 consists of a combination of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. As mentioned, the tobaccos have been aged for five years. The wrapper and binder of Nicaraguan Habano while the filler is all Dominican.

Wrapper: Habana 2000 Nicaraguan
Binder: Habana Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican (Piloto and Pilotico)
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera de Garcia

Vitolas Offered

The VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 is offered in one size – a 50 x 156mm (50 x 6 1/10) Toro size. The cigars presented in 10-count boxes with a total production of 7,560 numbered boxes.

Appearance

The Nicaraguan wrapper of the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 had a medium-brown color with a strong Colorado reddish tint to it. Upon closer examination, there was some mottling present on the surface. The wrapper had a light sheen of oil on it.  This was a wrapper that was slightly toothy with some visible veins and some visible wrapper seams.

The upper part of the band of the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 is black with silver trim. The center of the band has a black circular field with silver trim. On the field are the lettering “VF” in large red font on it. There are some silver adornments surrounding the circular field. The left and right side of this upper portion of the band have the text “VEGAFINA” in silver font. Meanwhile the lower part of the band has an appearance of a pseudo-secondary band. This section is red with silver trim on the lower portion and black trim bordering the upper portion. On the red background is the text “GRAN RESERVA 2020” in white font.

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw

A straight cut was used to remove the cap of the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020. Once the cap was removed, it was on to the pre-light draw phase. The cold draw delivered notes of cocoa, classic wood, and must. Overall this was a satisfactory pre-light draw experience. At this point it was time to toast up the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 and see what the smoking phase would have in store.

Tasting Notes

The VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 started out with notes of musty natural tobacco, cocoa, citrus, and black pepper. While musty notes might not seem exciting, in the case of the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020, they worked quite effectively. Early on the cocoa notes moved to the forefront with the musty notes a close secondary note while the citrus and black pepper notes were further back. There was an additional layer of black pepper present on the retro-hale.

Later in the first third, the musty notes increased and moved toward the forefront. Before reaching the midway point, the musty notes joined the cocoa in the forefront. It was during the second third where the pepper notes also started to increase.

By the last third the musty natural tobacco notes were the primary note with the pepper now much closer to the forefront. There were still notes of citrus and cocoa present. This is the way the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 came to a close. The resulting nub was slightly soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn

While the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 maintained a relatively straight burn path, there was some jaggedness several times on the burn line that did require touch-ups. There was a slightly above normal number of touch-ups required. The resulting ash was mostly silver-gray. This was an ash that was skewed toward the firmer side. The burn rate and burn temperature were ideal.

Draw

The draw of the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 was on the snug side from time to time. Normally I prefer a little resistance on my draw, but there were points where there was more resistance than I prefer. The cigar never went out, nor was it ever at a plugged state. However, there were points this draw required more work than normal.

Strength and Body

While VegaFina is certainly known for its milder offerings, I found the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 to be relatively bolder than what I’m used to from VegaFina. This was a cigar that was medium in strength and medium in body from start to finish. There was a slight amount of variance in the intensity levels, but in the end, this cigar stayed in the medium range.

In terms of strength and body, both attributes balanced each other nicely with neither attribute getting the edge.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

Overall, the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 series has been one that has been satisfying to me. One thing I have liked about VegaFina is the brand is expanding its horizons and becoming a brand that can appeal to a wider range of cigar enthusiasts. The recently released VegaFina Fortaleza 2 Andullo is a good example of this – and the Gran Reserva cigars have been another one. The Gran Reserva 2020 is not a cigar that’s for everyone, but it is a solid cigar – and not something that is cookie cutter. It’s a cigar I could recommend to any cigar enthusiast – especially one looking to get out of one’s comfort zone. It’s a cigar that has good value (priced in Spain under 8 Euros), and it’s one that I certainly would buy and smoke again.

Summary

Key Flavors: Natural Tobacco, Musty Notes, Cocoa, Citrus, Black Pepper
Burn: Very Good
Draw: Very Good
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Finish: Very Good

Rating

Value: Buy One
Score: 89

References

News: VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 Announced
Price: €7.80 (~$8.55 USD)
Source: Tabacalera SLU
Brand Reference: VegaFina

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop, except where noted.