El Pulpo by Artesano Del Tobacco Belicoso Grande | Selected by Cigar Aficionado 2023 #10 Cigar Of The Year – Rated 94
Have you ever wondered what it would feel like if your palate was surrounded by flavor as an octopus surrounds its prey? Well, probably not, but that was the intention of Gus and Billy Fakih, owners of Artesano Del Tobacco, when they named and brought El Pulpo Belicoso Grande into existence. Literally translated “The Octopus,” this collaboration with AJ Fernandez has been nearly a decade in the making, and is the second Fernandez cigar in the Artesano Del Tobacco portfolio, following the infamous Viva la Vida. Made by the skilled hands at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars in Nicaragua, El Pulpo utilizes aged Nicaraguan filler and binder leaves grown on the world-famous Fernandez family farms. The star of the show here, however, is the gorgeous Mexican San Andres wrapper leaf. Yeah, yeah, we know. San Andres is the king of Maduro leaves, but this one is a truly exotic specimen. In fact, the extended aging period for the leaf used to wrap this blend is the reason El Pulpo took so long to enter the market. Was it worth it? Well, we can let the 94 rating and the Top 10 spot on Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 of 2023 do the talking.
Packaged in opulent red and gold boxes, each El Pulpo vitola wears ornate double bands bearing the ominous octopus logo. A mild box press ensures a comfortable bite and the precision construction of each, and every cigar lends to an easy draw and a steady flow of thick, blue smoke. Spicy Nicaraguan pepper is unleashed upon lighting, soon followed by a mind-blowing array of dark chocolate and bakers’ spices. Coffee bean and nuts are noticeable throughout, and a dark, rich tobacco core holds everything together. The finish is both spicy and sweet, combining the beautiful flavor properties of San Andres Maduro and the bold Nicaraguan intensity that AJ Fernandez is so well-known for. Finishing as a full-bodied masterpiece, El Pulpo displays luxurious balance and undeniable complexity. Coming in at 5 ¾” x 58, the Belicoso Grande comes with a tapered head for easier cuts and more concentrated flavor.
This cigar is for the experienced. To truly enjoy this top-shelf offering, a well-developed palate, a patient tempo, and a solid resilience to vitamin N are all non-negotiable necessities. This blend pairs wonderfully with bourbon, coffee, or dark beer and is best enjoyed on a full stomach. Fans of rich Nicaraguan maduro cigars such as Liga Privada No. 9 or Padron Maduro will likely come to love El Pulpo, as its body and flavor profile scream similarities in so many ways to both the former and latter alike. A bold gem indeed, El Pulpo Belicoso Grande is sure to become the centerpiece in the humidor of any connoisseur of full-bodied Maduro cigars.
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