El Rico Habano is a cigar from yesteryear that somehow survived and still manages to maintain a following despite today’s market trends. Made in the Dominican Republic and originally blended by the infamous Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, El Rico Habano was made to mimic the extremely full-bodied Cuban cigars Carrillo grew up with. There was a short stunt in the production back in the early 2000s due to a tobacco shortage, but not long after a fresh crop allowed Carrillo and company to put El Rico Habano back into regular production. In fact, some tobacco from that same 2001 crop may still be used to make today’s version of this fabulous old time cigar.
Built to be a heavy hitter, El Rico Habano’s blend consists of Nicaraguan filler and binder tobaccos and an extremely rich Ecuador Sumatra wrapper leaf. For those who want a bit more sweetness, certain sizes are available with a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper as well. If you’ve ever smoked a Cuban Bolivar, Punch, or Vegas Robainas, you probably have an idea of how a strong Habano tastes. El Rico Habano isn’t from Cuba, but the end result is pretty darned close to that classic experience.
Keeping in tune with the classic Cuban theme, El Rico Habano is rugged and rustic in appearance, and adorned with a simple red and gold Cuban style band. In addition, each box contains no less than 25 beautifully crafted tobacco masterpieces, so you’re sure to get the most bang for your buck. The draw is firm, yet soft, the burn is just uneven enough to keep things interesting, and the smoke is cool, blue, and jam-packed with flavor. An earthy core bursting with flavors of raw tobacco and cedar make up the bulk of the bouquet, along with blasts of spice from the Nicaraguan tobacco contained within. Leathery, peppery nuances remain constant, along with a crisp, clean finish. It is no surprise that El Rico Habano earned a solid 90-rating back in its day. This amazing full-bodied stick is offered in a generous handful of sizes, all built to match those of the most popular Cuban cigars on the market.
Like most of Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s cigars, El Rico Habano is built for experienced connoisseurs. However, that doesn’t mean that an intermediate smoker looking to make the jump from medium-bodied to full-bodied cigars shouldn’t try it. The flavor profile is rather simple, so an overly developed palate is not a thing of necessity, but a solid meal beforehand may be a good idea. El Rico Habano pairs well with bourbon or rum and is in the same company of other classic Carrillo-invented sticks such as La Gloria Cubana and E.P. Carrillo Seleccion Oscuro. Whether you’re looking to be reminded of that Cuban you smoked on your last cruise or you just want a rich, full-bodied classic cigar, there is no going wrong with El Rico Habano.
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