2020 Cigar of the Year Countdown: #23: Pichardo Reserva Familiar Habano Toro by ACE Prime

” This was a well-aged cigar that delivered a nice balance on the flavor profile combined with enough flavor variations and transitions to keep me interested. “

Wrapper: Habano
Binder: Habano
Fillers: Nicaraguan, Dominican
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera Pichardo
Toro: 6 x 52
Price: $12.00

Sponsor: No
Samples Provided for Initial Review: Yes
Review: Pichardo Reserva Familiar Habano Toro by ACE Prime (9/27/20)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Company): 1 (2020)

Coming in at #23 is the Pichardo Reserva Familiar Habano Toro by ACE Prime. This cigar landing on the Countdown brings a couple of firsts. It’s the first cigar out of ACE Prime to land on the countdown as well as the first cigar out of the company’s Tabacalera Pichardo facility to have a cigar place on the Countdown.

ACE Prime came on the scene launching three brands and a total of seven blends. ACE Prime is a company where the principal owners are Luciano Meirelles, Master Blender Don Eradio Pichardo, and former NBA player Tiago Splitter. The company’s distribution is handled through Crowned Heads. One of the brands released during the initial launch was Pichardo, named for co-founder Don Eradio Pichardo. Specifically, it’s the Pichardo Reserva Familiar Habano in the Toro size to land on this year’s Countdown.

The blend of the Pichardo Reserva Familiar Habano features Habano tobacco for the wrapper and binder. The filler is a combination of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. The Toro comes in a traditional 6 x 52 format and it’s the only size currently available in the Reserva Familiar Habano line.

Flavorwise, the Pichardo Reserva Familiar Habano delivered a mix of cocoa, raisin, earth, black pepper, cedar, and mineral. It’s a cigar that starts out medium in strength and body before progressing to medium to full in the latter stages.

Since the 2020 Countdown commenced on December 4th, ACE Prime is the first company making a debut appearance to secure a slot on this year’s Countdown.