El Pulpo by Artesano Del Tobacco The Squid Cigars
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 brought El Pulpo into existence. Literally translated as “The Octopus,” this collaboration with AJ Fernandez was nearly a decade in the making and became the second Fernandez-crafted cigar in the Artesano Del Tobacco portfolio, following the famous Viva la Vida. Made by the skilled hands at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars in Nicaragua, El Pulpo The Squid 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 Top 10 spot on Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 of 2023 for this blend do the talking.
Packaged in opulent red and gold boxes, each El Pulpo vitola wears ornate double bands bearing the ominous octopus logo. Precision construction 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 with 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. Appropriately named The Squid, this impressive 6 1/2" x 60 Perfecto gives the celebrated blend a dramatic new shape, with its tapered profile complementing the hefty ring gauge while allowing the cigar’s rich flavors to develop throughout a long, satisfying smoke.
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 share similarities with both. Bold, imposing, and unmistakably El Pulpo, The Squid is a fitting Perfecto expression of one of Artesano Del Tobacco’s most celebrated blends.
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