Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we 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 giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the Crux Epicure Gordo. This is a cigar line assessed several times most recently in the in the Short Salomone size back in May 2019.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Plasencia S.A.
Gordo: 6 x 60

Late in 2017 Crux Cigar would bring the Crux Epicure line to market. The line was an important milestone for the company as it would introduce Crux’s first Connecticut Shade cigar to the market. Since its release the Crux Epicure has been a line that has become one of Crux’s most popular releases to date. On Cigar Coop, it’s a cigar that has done extremely well as it captured the Cigar Coop #2 and #10 Cigar for the year in 2018 and 2019 respectively. In 2020, Crux Cigars would introduce a 6 x 60 Gordo to the line, and that is the cigar we take a closer look at today.

When you look at the bands and packaging for the Crux Epicure Gordo, it looks very different than what we have reviewed in the past on the Crux Epicure line. That is because in 2019 the entire Crux portfolio underwent a major refresh of its banding and packaging. As a result, it’s not just the Crux Epicure Gordo that has new packaging, but the entire Crux portfolio. The new packaging on the Gordo is consistent with the rest of the Crux Epicure line. In terms of the blend, it remains exactly the same – it’s an Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut seed wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. Production comes from the Plasencia factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.

Flavorwise, the Crux Epicure Gordo keeps in a similar wheelhouse to some of the other vitolas, but it also tells its own story. The cigar delivered notes of cream, bread, citrus, honey, and black pepper. Early on the cream and citrus notes were primary. During the early part of the second third, the bread notes increased in intensity and displaced the cream and citrus notes. Both the cream and citrus diminished in the second half. Later in the second third, there was an increase in the pepper. The final third saw the bread notes primary with the pepper, honey, and citrus notes rounding out the flavor profile.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

While I am personally known to enjoy Gordo-sized cigars, I often find it difficult to find a good one with a Connecticut Shade wrapper. With the Crux Epicure Gordo, I did find this to be a very enjoyable cigar. As mentioned above, it keeps to the wheelhouse of the Crux Epicure line. It was a little less complex, but still equally satisfying flavorwise. At $12.50, it’s a little higher in price, but it does deliver a satisfying experience. I could recommend it to any enthusiast, any time of the day – particularly one who enjoys a big ring gauge. As for myself, it’s a cigar I would buy and smoke again. At 90 points, it reaches the threshold for Cigar Coop Standard of Excellence.

Summary

Key Flavors: Cream, Bread, Cedar, Honey Nut, Citrus, Black Pepper
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium Plus
Strength: Mild to Medium (1st Half), Medium (2nd Half)
Body: Medium
Finish: Very Good