Now Smoking: Gran Habano XX Aniversario

Now Smoking: Gran Habano 20th Aniversario Cigar Review (Vide0)

Blend Details:

Factory: G.R. Tabacaleras Unidas S.A. – Danlí, Honduras
Size: 5”x 52 Robusto
Strength: Medium-Full
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Jalapa Corojo (aged 4 yrs.)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Colombia, Nicaragua, Peru

Presented in boxes of 20

The Gran Habano XX Aniversario Cigars Back Story

“It is with great pride that after 27 years in business as a company, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of our brand, Gran Habano,” said company co-founder, George Rico. Once the decision was made to honor the 20 year milestone, the inspiration for the line’s three vitolas was drawn on the first chapter, or Capitulo I of the Gran Habano story: El Sueño (The Dream), El Desafío (The Struggle), and El Triunfo (The Success).

Like many anniversary cigar releases, the Gran Habano 20th Aniversario is a limited-release production. Only 4,000 boxes of each size were made. Additionally, the cigars were rolled in 2020, which puts almost three years of aging on them.

“It’s a wonderful feeling to reach this special milestone as a brand,” added Rico. “And we look forward to the next chapter in our family’s journey.”

Cigar Basics:

The Nicaraguan Jalapa wrapper is flawless in appearance and even in color. Veins are virtually invisible, giving the cigar a smooth leathery look. The triple cap was textbook and I didn’t find any soft spots along the cigar.

Using a double blade cutter, the cold draw was perfect issuing a fresh, light, whiskey-like taste. (Think of the aroma you get when you open a bottle of whiskey.) Herbal spices were also present prior to lighting.

Once lit, the first few puffs issued some peppery spice and a wheat bread like flavor. Once the cigar settled down the base notes offered wood, nuts, honey wheat bread, and baking spices such as cinnamon and a fairly dominant note of nutmeg. I experienced no burn issues and the resulting ashes were firm with a very light grey color. The cigar also emitted plenty of thick smoke with a pleasant aroma.

Gran Habano 20^th Aniversario El Sueño Cigar Review

The cigar started out with a medium body and a woody-nutty flavor. Shortly after that, a tangy citrus noted dropped-in, but didn’t hang around very long. The smoke was smooth and creamy and a hint of vanilla drifted by at one point. Mostly woody, delicately spicy, and nutty, a more palpable taste of honey on wheat toast added just the right amount of sweetness.

By the midsection, the cigar shifted to a medium-plus body settling into a well-balanced, woody-nutty smoke as the nutmeg became more evident. Nutmeg was even complemented by some added cinnamon and the slight return of that early tangy citrus note.

The final inches were full-bodied but stopped short of being too strong. By that point, I was convinced that this Robusto had offered a pretty complex smoke. If I could narrow it down to two words, I’d call the El Sueño vibrant and sumptuous.

Gran Habano 20^th Aniversario Cigars Worth Buying?

Very much so, especially for the Gran Habano devoted out there. The El Sueno even reminded me at times of the Gran Habano #5 Corojo, one of my all-time favorites. However, the 20^th Aniversario blend is more refined and has a more robust climax. As to its price, the 20^th Aniversario is stickered well above Gran Habano’s other lines. Yet considering the choice of tobaccos, the construction, complexity, balance, and lest we not forget that cigar prices are much higher these days, I’ll defend it. Moreover, I believe the 20th Aniversario selection can comfortably coexist with the leading luxury class cigars.