Espinosa y Ortega Cubao #5

SteveH · 05-16-2011, 03:36 PM

Gents,
Couple of weeks back I met Eddy at a local B&M and he gave me one of his #5 Cubao's to try. He seems like a real down to earth guy - so I figured I'd give it a shot and see how it turns out !

Specifics
Vitola: ??
Length: 7 1/8
Ring Gauge: 49
Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $6.49

Looks and prelight - Darker sumatra wrapper - near impossible to find any seams..Pigtail cap...tiny veins. Very tightly packed and firm. Aroma of leather and some aged tobacco...Prelight draw yields some sweetness and more aged tobacco.

First Third - Razor sharp burn, nice white ash. Draw is surprisingly light, considering how firm and tightly packed the cigar feels. Some cherry-like sweetness and aroma, along with mild leather...Some spice and pepper. but no where near as much as I was expecting. Smoke is creamy white - I think this is going to develop nicely!

Second Third - WOW this thing puts off some SERIOUS smoke. I've never seen anything like this before. Upon exhale the smoke falls to the ground like a delicious fog of tobacco goodness. It is quite shocking (so much so I had to take a photo !). The cherry flavor is still hanging around, along with some mild wood and leather flavors. The pepper is coming on a little stronger; but more in the tingle than flavor. Burn is still straight and needs no touch-ups.

Unfortunately that's it for the pictures. My neighbor came over and we were chatting...So I totally forgot to take the rest of the photos...Mea Culpa !

To the nub - The stick kept producing tons of smoke, and the pepper came to the forefront. Still well rounded and smooth, my neighbor however said that the aroma wasn't as pleasant as some other cigars I've burned.

Wrap-up - Will I buy this again ? Absolutely. If you ever want to impress someone with massive, cumulus cloud-like smoke; this is probably the stick to try (along with the Tat petite cazadores). The sweetness was interesting, dare I say nearly pipe-tobaccoish ? I don't think that's necessary a bad thing, perhaps testimonial to the quality of fermentation ?

N2 GOLD · 05-16-2011, 03:57 PM

Nice review, thanks...

NCRadioMan · 05-16-2011, 04:30 PM

Eddy's a great guy!

That's the Cubao #1 Churchill. The #5 is a toro. I dig 'em!

FWIW, you can find dark Sumatran wrappers on the Tat Series P and Ambos Mundos these days, as well.

BigCat · 05-16-2011, 05:14 PM

Nice review. I've smoked a bunch of the toros and have not found them to produce as much smoke as you've described. I wonder if it is a churchill thing.

SteveH · 05-16-2011, 06:54 PM

Ah, sorry guys - my mistake. I was just looking for details to find out what specifically I had and just noted the rough ring and length - totally screwed up the shape !

Ratters · 05-16-2011, 06:57 PM

Smoking a robusto right now. Pretty good smoke production.

And yeah, Eddie is one of the really good guys in business. He's an ex Marine as well I believe.

kelmac07 · 05-16-2011, 07:23 PM

Nice review. The maduro version of this stick ROCKS!!

Tio Gato · 05-17-2011, 05:51 AM

Nice review! Cubaos are a great smoke. The #4's are my go to cigar for a short ride. Yummy.

05-16-2011, 03:57 PM	#2
N2 GOLD MIND OVER MATTER... Join Date: Feb 2011 First Name: RICO Location: So. CAL 33° 44' 44" N / 117° 52' 0" W Posts: 2,330 Trading: (1)	Re: Espinosa y Ortiz Cubao #5 Nice review, thanks... __________________ When I want your opinion, I'll give it to ya.

05-16-2011, 04:30 PM	#3
NCRadioMan Chutney Lovebusciut Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Chutney Location: On the shores of Loch Shiel Posts: 4,276 Trading: (66)	Re: Espinosa y Ortiz Cubao #5 Eddy's a great guy! That's the Cubao #1 Churchill. The #5 is a toro. I dig 'em! FWIW, you can find dark Sumatran wrappers on the Tat Series P and Ambos Mundos these days, as well. __________________ The path to loyalty is trust.

05-16-2011, 06:57 PM	#6
Ratters Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,848 Trading: (2)	Re: Espinosa y Ortega Cubao #5 Smoking a robusto right now. Pretty good smoke production. And yeah, Eddie is one of the really good guys in business. He's an ex Marine as well I believe.

05-16-2011, 07:23 PM	#7
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Espinosa y Ortega Cubao #5 Nice review. The maduro version of this stick ROCKS!! __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

05-17-2011, 05:51 AM	#8
Tio Gato Uncle Kitty Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Casa Grande, AZ Posts: 2,075 Trading: (11)	Re: Espinosa y Ortega Cubao #5 Nice review! Cubaos are a great smoke. The #4's are my go to cigar for a short ride. Yummy. __________________ "You stink like cigars Uncle Kitty!" Said my Boo age 3. "Kid, take care of your family and the hell with anyone else" My Grandpa Bubba.

05-16-2011, 03:36 PM	#1
SteveH You lookin at me ? Join Date: Mar 2011 First Name: Steve Location: Wilmington, DE Posts: 336 Trading: (4)	Espinosa y Ortega Cubao #5 Gents, Couple of weeks back I met Eddy at a local B&M and he gave me one of his #5 Cubao's to try. He seems like a real down to earth guy - so I figured I'd give it a shot and see how it turns out ! Specifics Vitola: ?? Length: 7 1/8 Ring Gauge: 49 Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Price: $6.49 Looks and prelight - Darker sumatra wrapper - near impossible to find any seams..Pigtail cap...tiny veins. Very tightly packed and firm. Aroma of leather and some aged tobacco...Prelight draw yields some sweetness and more aged tobacco. First Third - Razor sharp burn, nice white ash. Draw is surprisingly light, considering how firm and tightly packed the cigar feels. Some cherry-like sweetness and aroma, along with mild leather...Some spice and pepper. but no where near as much as I was expecting. Smoke is creamy white - I think this is going to develop nicely! Second Third - WOW this thing puts off some SERIOUS smoke. I've never seen anything like this before. Upon exhale the smoke falls to the ground like a delicious fog of tobacco goodness. It is quite shocking (so much so I had to take a photo !). The cherry flavor is still hanging around, along with some mild wood and leather flavors. The pepper is coming on a little stronger; but more in the tingle than flavor. Burn is still straight and needs no touch-ups. Unfortunately that's it for the pictures. My neighbor came over and we were chatting...So I totally forgot to take the rest of the photos...Mea Culpa ! To the nub - The stick kept producing tons of smoke, and the pepper came to the forefront. Still well rounded and smooth, my neighbor however said that the aroma wasn't as pleasant as some other cigars I've burned. Wrap-up - Will I buy this again ? Absolutely. If you ever want to impress someone with massive, cumulus cloud-like smoke; this is probably the stick to try (along with the Tat petite cazadores). The sweetness was interesting, dare I say nearly pipe-tobaccoish ? I don't think that's necessary a bad thing, perhaps testimonial to the quality of fermentation ?

05-16-2011, 05:14 PM	#4
BigCat My back is now unwatched. Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Colin Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 723 Trading: (5)	Re: Espinosa y Ortega Cubao #5 Nice review. I've smoked a bunch of the toros and have not found them to produce as much smoke as you've described. I wonder if it is a churchill thing. __________________ "Now, I don't approve of dissipation, and I don't indulge in it either; but I haven't a particle of confidence in a man who has no redeeming petty vices." Mark Twain

05-16-2011, 06:54 PM	#5
SteveH You lookin at me ? Join Date: Mar 2011 First Name: Steve Location: Wilmington, DE Posts: 336 Trading: (4)	Re: Espinosa y Ortega Cubao #5 Ah, sorry guys - my mistake. I was just looking for details to find out what specifically I had and just noted the rough ring and length - totally screwed up the shape !