The blenders at
Studio Tobac are the masters of the Straight Ligero cigar, producing
an entire line in four distinctive blends. They require an
exceptional understanding of the special tobacco leaf that goes into
each one they produce. Ligero is the type of leaf that comes from the
top of each tobacco plant grown. Its direct exposure to the sun
darkens and thickens each leaf. Smaller than the leaves lower on the
plant, it also enjoys a concentration of nutrients and flavors. The
region in which this type of plant is grown plays a major role in its
development.
This week we are
going to look at four distinct Ligero cigars produced by Studio
Tobac: Cain Daytona, Cain Habano, Cain F, and Cain Maduro.
Cain Daytona
Released back in
2011, the Cain Daytona uses all Nicaraguan tobaccos. The wrapper is a
habano, and for the filler they use a Jalapa Valley Ligero. If you
are looking for an alternative to the original Cain, which is a
strong, full-bodied cigar, the Daytona just might be what you’re
looking for. While not as aggressive as the Cain F, it does have a
nice verity of flavors and the profile is somewhat complex. The cigar
is medium-bodied and smooth to smoke. Now that we have a brief
overview, lets fire one up and take a look at the Daytona in depth.
Examining the
cigar, it has a slight musky and wet grass aroma to it. It’s
actually a nice aroma and is pleasant to the nose. The bright orange
band at the edge of the foot gives a little pop to the otherwise
naked cigar. The habano wrapper is slightly oily and offers some
veining, but nothing out of the ordinary. The cigar feels firm with
only a slight give to the fingers.
Once you light
up you will get a pungent earth and red pepper tone. It’s not
overpowering, and sits well on the palette. I was surprised with the
amount of thick smoke from the cigar. I'm smoking the 6x46 which, as
you know, is not an overly large cigar. Hints of caramel and nuts
become noticeable while the draw remains smooth and crisp.
At the halfway
point, earthy barnyard notes start intermingling with an arousing
spice overtone. The burn is suburb and the flavor profile has been
enticing and amiable. I have to admit I've always been a fan of
Nicaraguan cigars and this has been no exception. The aromatic smoke
is baronial, offering grand wisps of smoke that fill the air and are
pleasant to the nose. Heading into the final stretch, let’s round
third and head home!
At the back
half, the aforementioned earth and spice become stronger. A hint of
pepper peeks its head out, offering a slight dryness on the palette.
Some floral notes are also found, with light espresso tones.
The Daytona has
been a real winner for me. The flavors are agreeable, leaving you
wishing you had another Daytona in the humidor waiting for you to
smoke it. The burn and draw are on par with other comparable premium
cigars. I give this cigar two thumbs up!
When I pulled
this cigar out of the cellophane, I was quite surprised at the
quality of the wrapper. A gorgeous chocolate-brown Nicaraguan habano.
It has invisible seams and only slight veins showing. It radiates a
semi-oily sheen and the cigar is topped off with a triple cap. The
construction seems to be top notch and the binder, filler and wrapper
are all Nicaraguan.
Examining the
cigar a little more closely, I detected an aroma of baking spices,
cocoa and leather. The aroma intrigues me to quit messing around and
light up, so I do. An earthy cocoa profile forms and is backed up
with a coffee undertone. The draw is a little tight, but pleasant.
The cigar has a nice, firm feel to it. You can tell the tobacco is
nicely rolled throughout.
Delving further
into the cigar, an alluring apricot tone forms. It molds well with
the cocoa and earthy profile up to this point. The apricot tone stays
in the background and coffee bean and black pepper begin to form on
the palette. The cigar to this point has performed admirably. A
smooth, clean-smoking cigar with a burn that is appealing and spot
on.
The second third
is marked with an increase in the peppery profile. Also, an enjoyable
nuttiness has started to culminate on my palette, leaving a nice
aftertaste. An aromatic smoke that offers a cocoa and spice aroma is
tantalizing. As I head into the final third, I couldn’t be happier
with this smoke. It has hit on all the major points. The cigar has
been consistent and reliable. During the last ten minutes of the
smoke, the baking spices noted earlier pick up along with the coffee
and cocoa tones. I would highly recommend this full-bodied Nicaraguan
puro, and I've classified it as a must-smoke.
Cain F
What can be said
that probably hasn’t already been said about the Cain F? It’s a
beautiful-looking cigar, wrapped in a Nicaraguan habano wrapper that
is oily and slightly darker than the Cain Habano Straight Ligero
cigar I just reviewed. My first draw on the cigar sees an onset of
dark, earthy notes with a rich, peppery backbone. A tinge of fruit is
found but fades quickly out of sight. A citrus aftertaste is left
offering something I wasn’t expecting and is a new find for me on
this particular cigar.
The first third
is marked with a cedar tone and notes of wood. The cigar remains
strong and full-bodied but isn’t to the point of being
overpowering. Like all the Cain cigar lines, the cigar is firm with
no soft spots. The draw is somewhat tight and the burn thus far is
good. A gray ash about two inches long has formed and remains intact
and formidable.
Working my way
into the second third of the smoke, stronger tones of pepper emerge.
Fruity notes fade in and out of the background and never really
culminate into anything substantial. I begin getting a strong coffee
flavor that intermingles with dark chocolate. The profile has
definitely picked up on the second third, giving off more complex
flavors and a stronger body tone to the cigar.
The final
third—you’d better fasten your seat belt. For all you full-bodied
cigar lovers, this is a treat. All the aforementioned flavors and
tones pick up drastically. The earth, pepper and spice remain fully
entrenched with definite increases in their strength. Even with the
strong finish, the cigar is refined and smooth to smoke. The burn
remains cool and even. A dry spice aftertaste is noted and is
followed up with some green pepper tones. I personally love this
cigar, and it works well as an after-dinner cigar.
One of the first
things you will notice about this cigar is the dark Mexican maduro
wrapper. The beautiful oil finish on it glistens in even the lowest
of light conditions. The cigar is solid, with no give to it. As is
with all the Cain lines I’ve reviewed for this piece, the cigar has
a feel of being packed solid with tobacco. The draw is spot on,
offering just enough give to keep you working without the feel of
being overworked.
A distinct aroma
of raisins and heavy earth permeates the air surrounding the cigar on
my pre-light inspection. Cutting the cap and placing the cigar in my
mouth, I found a dark chocolate and heavy spice aftertaste. My first
draw was a combination of leather, chocolate and sweetness. That was
quickly followed up with a spicy aftertaste and aroma. Ten minutes
into the smoke and I already have a one-inch ash on the foot that is
white with splotches of black.
The first third
is marked with definite hints of sweetness to the cigar. I am
surprised and pleased. The overtone, though, is that of earth, wood
and pepper in the flavor profile department. As you get near the end
of the first third, a hardy pepper head comes front and center. While
it doesn’t overpower you, it is strong.
Examining the
second third, bold clouds of smoke bellow forth, offering aromatic
sweetness with a cooking spice smell to it. The cigar remains smooth
with tones of hazelnut in the background. The final third is just as
bold, with the same sweetness remaining throughout. Charred wood,
cedar, hints of mushroom and dry peppercorn also are found. I can’t
say enough good things about this maduro. A fantastic smoke, great
burn and complex profile make for a winning combination.