Cavalier BII Viso Jalapa Limited Release

Cavalier Genève BII Viso Jalapa Limited Release 2022

Today, we review the Cavalier Genève BII Viso Jalapa Limited Release 2022. As the name indicates, this is a limited edition cigar based on the Cavalier Genève BII Viso Jalapa blend. The BII Viso Jalapa was first introduced by Cavalier Genève in 2021 as the third regular production line branded with the Cavalier brand. A little over a year later, Cavalier would launch its “Limited Release” series. The Cavalier Limited Release Series consists of limited production derived from their core lines but in one size with what the company describes as “interesting twists.” These cigars are aimed to be “one-and-done” releases. BII Viso Jalapa Limited Release 2022 was the first installment.

The Limited Release 2022 was a 5 1/4 x 56. The twist on this release is that the cigar is a parejo. At the time of the release, the core vitolas on the BII Viso Jalapa line were all box-pressed. Since then, some other parejo sizes have been added to the core line, but the 5 1/4 x 56 was reserved for the Limited 2022 release.

The following are the Cavalier Limited Release cigars thus far:

Cavalier Genève BII Viso Jalapa Limited Release 2022
Cavalier Genève White Series Limited Release 2023
Limited Release 2024: TBD/TBA

For now, let’s turn our attention to the BII Viso Jalapa Limited Release 2022 and see what this cigar brings to the table.

Cavalier Genève BII Viso Jalapa Limited Release 2022 – Cigar Review

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

As the name indicates, the BII Viso Jalapa line is highlighted by a Viso-priming wrapper grown in the Jalapa region of Nicaragua. The remainder of the tobaccos in the blend are from undisclosed areas of Nicaragua. Production comes from Danlí, Honduras, at Cavalier Genève’s Fabrica Centroamericana de Tabaco S.A. facility.

Wrapper: Viso Jalapa
Binder: Nicaragua
Fillers: Nicaragua
Country of Origin: Honduras
Factory: Fabrica Centroamericana de Tabaco S.A.

Vitolas Offered

As mentioned, the Limited Release 2022 came in one size—5 1/4 x 56. The following are the other sizes that have been released in the BII Viso Jalapa line.

Tempura: 4 x 60 (Perfecto/Parejo)
N2 Petit: 4 3/4 x 52 (Torpedo/Parejo)
Corona: 5 3/4 x 44 (Parejo)
Robusto: 5 x 50
Robusto Gordo: 5 x 54
Toro: 6 x 54
Toro Gordo: 6 x 60
Torpedo: 6 x 52

A total of 1,948 boxes have been produced for the Viso Jalapa Limited Release. Each box contains ten of the Viso Jalapa Limited Release plus a bonus “Muestra Especial” cigar (details not disclosed). Each box is numbered by hand. The 1,948 represents the temperature that is the melting point of gold (1,948°F).

Appearance (*)

The BII Viso Jalapa wrapper of the Limited Release was dark cinnamon-colored and coated with oil. Upon closer examination, a slight amount of mottling could be seen on the surface. There were some visible veins and wrapper seams. The cigar is highlighted by a 24k gold diamond affixed to the wrapper. This signature gold fold diamond is found on Cavalier’s eponymous branded cigars.

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw (*)

A straight cut began the cigar experience of the Limited Release 2022. Once the cap was removed, it was on to the pre-light draw stage. The cold draw delivered a mix of natural tobacco, cedar, and wood. The natural tobacco had a nice sweetness to it, making the pre-light experience satisfactory. At this point, it was time to toast up the Limited Release 2022 and see what the smoking phase had in store.

Tasting Notes

The Limited Release 2022 opened with notes of cherry, cream, earth, and wood. Early on, the cherry and cream notes moved to the front while the earth and wood notes settled in the back. Meanwhile, the retro-hale delivered a layer of black pepper. Toward the latter part of the first third, the black pepper notes emerged on the tongue.

During the second third of the Limited Release 2022, the intensity of the cherry and cream notes gradually decreased. At the same time, there was a gradual increase in the intensity of the wood notes. Once into the second half, the wood notes joined the cherry and cream notes at the forefront. By the end of the second third, the wood took over as the sole primary note.

The final third didn’t see much change. The wood notes were primary but were nicely balanced by the cherry, cream, earth, and pepper notes. I also liked how the pepper didn’t rise too much, and the cream didn’t entirely dissipate. This is the way the Limited Release 2022 came to a close. The resulting nub was soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn

Overall, the Limited Release 2022’s burn was low maintenance. The cigar maintained a relatively straight burn line and burn path, so no excessive touch-ups were required. The resulting ash was silver-gray. It wasn’t the firmest ash, but it was not a loose one. The ash was prone to some minor flaking. As for the burn rate and burn temperature, both were ideal.

Burn of the Cavalier Genève BII Viso Jalapa Limited Release 2022

One note on the gold diamond – do not overstress when the burn line reaches it. The gold will not burn like tobacco; essentially, the leaf behind it will burn. You do not need to overarch or excessively touch up the cigar when it reaches the gold. With the Limited Release 2022, you will probably put down the cigar about halfway through the gold diamond.

Draw

The draw of the Limited Release 2022 had a touch of resistance, which I like. At the same time, this was a low-maintenance cigar from which to derive flavor.

Strength and Body

The Limited Release 2022 is not a powerbomb in terms of strength and body. This cigar started out mild to medium in strength and body. Toward the end of the second third, there was a slight uptick in the intensity of strength and body. As a result, the Limited Release moved into medium territory for strength and body for the last third.

When looking at strength versus body, both attributes balanced each other nicely, with neither attribute overshadowing the other.

BANDING AND PACKAGING NOTES (*)

Regarding the bands, the Limited Release adds a rose-gold secondary band below the BII Viso Jalapa’s standard gray band. I like this look. The gold diamond on the wrapper looks elegant against the reddish tint of the wrapper. Packaging-wise, the Limited Release 2022 comes in a slide-top cabinet box as opposed to the mustard-colored BII Viso Jalapa boxes for the core line. I like the fact that the Limited Release 2022 had its own packaging.

Packaging for the Cavalier Genève BII Viso Jalapa Limited Release 2022

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

I recommend the BII Viso Jalapa Limited Release if you can find it. With this format, the BII Viso Jalapa blend really shined. This is a flavorful, balanced cigar with enough complexity to keep you interested. The fact that this cigar is dialed back in terms of strength and body says a lot. In addition, this cigar showcases some of the nice capabilities of the FCT factory.

I would recommend this vitola to any cigar enthusiast. It’s a cigar I would easily reach for and smoke again. At $12.50 this is a cigar of good value. The 11-count boxes (which include the bonus cigar) make a box purchase approachable. Coming in at 90 points, this cigar earns a Cigar Coop Standard of Excellence designation.

Summary

Key Flavors: Cherry, Cream, Wood, Earth, Pepper
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium (1st Third), Medium (Remainder)
Body: Mild to Medium, Medium (Remainder)
Finish: Very Good