Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately

Cincymike · 08-28-2013, 03:23 PM

The Herrera Esteli (by Willy Herrera for Drew) and the Pinolero by AJ Fernandez. I've not been a big fan of AJ's smokes (just don't suit my tastes) but this one is a winner in my book. It has a good balance of strength and tang, at least in the corona. The Herrera is very well crafted with a silky wrapper, great burn, creamy with a little bit of tanginess. Both are medium in strength. They both come from Nicaragua (no surprise LOL), but I'm not sure if they are puros.

Anyone else tried them......opinions?

maninblack · 08-28-2013, 03:27 PM

Yes like them both but not something I'd smoke alot of. Too mild for my tastes. Give me a maduro any day over these. But they are a nice change of pace.

Sweet_Leaf_PDX · 08-28-2013, 03:54 PM

I like the Herrera Esteli cigars, but have not tried the Pinolero yet. I have been going down the maduro highway at full speed lately, but I still enjoy this type of cigar.

You should also try the CyB cigars by Joya De Nicaragua. I think they have a similar vibe to the Herrera Esteli line.

kelmac07 · 08-28-2013, 03:57 PM

I really enjoyed the few Herrera Estelis I have had. As Kevin said, these are a great change of pace sticks from my regular diet of maduros.

King James · 08-28-2013, 05:55 PM

I smoked a Herrera Esteli a month or so ago and was pleasantly surprised with not only the flavors, but the fact that those flavors held throughout the entire smoke and until it was nubbed. Definitely the closest NC to having a Cuban profile that I've smoked.

Dunkel · 08-28-2013, 06:21 PM

Note to self when I want to be disappointed by a cigar I should smoke a Pinolero and Herrera Esteli.

PartagasIV · 08-28-2013, 06:26 PM

I bit on a fiver of Esteli short coronas, and the one I had was very enjoyable. Agree on your point. At at a very reasonable price.

bresdogsr · 08-28-2013, 07:50 PM

Pinolero corona sat me on my a$$. Really enjoy the toro though and definately get that "cubanesque" taste from it.

Beagleone · 08-29-2013, 09:15 AM

From my understanding, there will be a Hererra Esteli Maduro in the near future. At least that has been teased. I do like the HE quite a lot and have smoked them pretty regularly since they were released.

DaBear · 08-29-2013, 11:20 AM

Glad y'all had some luck with the HEs and Pinoleros. Neither of mine I could consider good. The HE was bland and boring and the Pinoleros I've tried have been flat out awful. If I want a CC-esque profile, I'll reach for a Curivari any day. Fratellos too, they have some striking similarities to some Partys.

Brooks W · 08-29-2013, 11:40 AM

Love the HE and the Curivari, but one of the most CC tasting NCs I have had is the Quesada Espana Corona/Lancero...Awesome

Garbandz · 08-29-2013, 11:56 AM

+ 1 for Fratello,but they are bolder than the average cc.....

Curivari are just good,always.

Cincymike · 08-29-2013, 01:20 PM

I'll have to check out the cigars you guys mentioned.

BlackIrish · 08-29-2013, 01:54 PM

I liked the Hererra Esteli (my review is here) but I didn't think it was particularly Cubanesque.

Cincymike · 08-29-2013, 04:18 PM

Nice review....I've personally detected a good bit of tang in the ones I've smoked which also happens to be the short corona.

icehog3 · 08-29-2013, 05:14 PM

Like the orange juice the astronauts drink?

massphatness · 08-29-2013, 06:48 PM

I've always wanted to try a Tang

Garbandz · 08-29-2013, 07:16 PM

Two astronauts walk into a bar.............

Cincymike · 08-29-2013, 07:40 PM

I realize "tang" can mean several different things.......LMAO

icehog3 · 08-29-2013, 08:18 PM

I ahve heard "twang" used to describe Cuban cigars, although I find it kind of non-descriptive....that the word you were meaning to use, Mike?

08-28-2013, 03:23 PM	#1
Cincymike grumpy senior in training Join Date: Aug 2013 First Name: Mike Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 46 Trading: (0)	Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately The Herrera Esteli (by Willy Herrera for Drew) and the Pinolero by AJ Fernandez. I've not been a big fan of AJ's smokes (just don't suit my tastes) but this one is a winner in my book. It has a good balance of strength and tang, at least in the corona. The Herrera is very well crafted with a silky wrapper, great burn, creamy with a little bit of tanginess. Both are medium in strength. They both come from Nicaragua (no surprise LOL), but I'm not sure if they are puros. Anyone else tried them......opinions?

08-28-2013, 03:27 PM	#2
maninblack Will smoke for food Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Kevin Location: Where the hoot owls f$ck the chickens Posts: 10,637 Trading: (80)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately Yes like them both but not something I'd smoke alot of. Too mild for my tastes. Give me a maduro any day over these. But they are a nice change of pace. __________________ Proud member of the GMCGTPWHAFA

08-28-2013, 03:54 PM	#3
Sweet_Leaf_PDX Feeling at Home Join Date: May 2013 First Name: Jason Location: Portland, OR Posts: 605 Trading: (11)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately I like the Herrera Esteli cigars, but have not tried the Pinolero yet. I have been going down the maduro highway at full speed lately, but I still enjoy this type of cigar. You should also try the CyB cigars by Joya De Nicaragua. I think they have a similar vibe to the Herrera Esteli line.

08-28-2013, 03:57 PM	#4
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately I really enjoyed the few Herrera Estelis I have had. As Kevin said, these are a great change of pace sticks from my regular diet of maduros. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

08-28-2013, 05:55 PM	#5
King James Regard Me! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jim Location: Dark Side Of The Moon Posts: 2,565 Trading: (2)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately I smoked a Herrera Esteli a month or so ago and was pleasantly surprised with not only the flavors, but the fact that those flavors held throughout the entire smoke and until it was nubbed. Definitely the closest NC to having a Cuban profile that I've smoked. __________________ Mob Herfin' Since 2006

08-28-2013, 06:21 PM	#6
Dunkel Maduro & Oscuro Whore-O Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Doug Location: West by God Virginia Posts: 2,232 Trading: (75)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately Note to self when I want to be disappointed by a cigar I should smoke a Pinolero and Herrera Esteli. __________________ Blue Label,Any Filipe Gregorio,Acid,Don Elias,El Mejor Espresso,Tierra del Sol

08-28-2013, 06:26 PM	#7
PartagasIV Feeling at Home Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Jamie Posts: 534 Trading: (10)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately I bit on a fiver of Esteli short coronas, and the one I had was very enjoyable. Agree on your point. At at a very reasonable price.

08-28-2013, 07:50 PM	#8
bresdogsr Still Watching My Back Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: south jersey Posts: 66 Trading: (3)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately Pinolero corona sat me on my a$$. Really enjoy the toro though and definately get that "cubanesque" taste from it.

08-29-2013, 09:15 AM	#9
Beagleone Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Between here and there Posts: 815 Trading: (18)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately From my understanding, there will be a Hererra Esteli Maduro in the near future. At least that has been teased. I do like the HE quite a lot and have smoked them pretty regularly since they were released. __________________ Whoever said "laughter is the best medicine" didn't have gonorrhea.

08-29-2013, 11:20 AM	#10
DaBear Have My Own Room Join Date: Sep 2010 First Name: Bear Location: Raleigh, NC(NC State) Posts: 2,010 Trading: (26)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately Glad y'all had some luck with the HEs and Pinoleros. Neither of mine I could consider good. The HE was bland and boring and the Pinoleros I've tried have been flat out awful. If I want a CC-esque profile, I'll reach for a Curivari any day. Fratellos too, they have some striking similarities to some Partys.

08-29-2013, 11:40 AM	#11
Brooks W Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 833 Trading: (70)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately Love the HE and the Curivari, but one of the most CC tasting NCs I have had is the Quesada Espana Corona/Lancero...Awesome

08-29-2013, 11:56 AM	#12
Garbandz Feeling at Home Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Tom Posts: 775 Trading: (53)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately + 1 for Fratello,but they are bolder than the average cc..... Curivari are just good,always.

08-29-2013, 01:20 PM	#13
Cincymike grumpy senior in training Join Date: Aug 2013 First Name: Mike Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 46 Trading: (0)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately I'll have to check out the cigars you guys mentioned.

08-29-2013, 01:54 PM	#14
BlackIrish MassHole Militia Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Eddie Location: Bunker Hill Posts: 1,395 Trading: (55)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately I liked the Hererra Esteli (my review is here) but I didn't think it was particularly Cubanesque. __________________

08-29-2013, 04:18 PM	#15
Cincymike grumpy senior in training Join Date: Aug 2013 First Name: Mike Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 46 Trading: (0)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately Nice review....I've personally detected a good bit of tang in the ones I've smoked which also happens to be the short corona.

08-29-2013, 05:14 PM	#16
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 70,547 Trading: (60)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately Like the orange juice the astronauts drink? __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

08-29-2013, 06:48 PM	#17
massphatness Where's my buffaloooo ... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Vin Location: MassHolia Posts: 12,688 Trading: (206)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately I've always wanted to try a Tang __________________ *Help Support The Navy SEAL Foundation: HERE*

08-29-2013, 07:16 PM	#18
Garbandz Feeling at Home Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Tom Posts: 775 Trading: (53)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately Two astronauts walk into a bar.............

08-29-2013, 07:40 PM	#19
Cincymike grumpy senior in training Join Date: Aug 2013 First Name: Mike Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 46 Trading: (0)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately I realize "tang" can mean several different things.......LMAO

08-29-2013, 08:18 PM	#20
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 70,547 Trading: (60)	Re: Two very "cubanesque" cigars I've smoked lately I ahve heard "twang" used to describe Cuban cigars, although I find it kind of non-descriptive....that the word you were meaning to use, Mike? __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!