 Tasting Augusto Reyes’s “A R” and Craig Cunningham’s Esteban Carrera
Los Angeles, May 18 – Making your own cigar takes expertise . . . and confidence. Augusto Reyes and Craig Cunningham couldn’t be more different, but they are both confident that you’ll enjoy their cigars. They have good reason to think so.
Reyes is well known in the trade for making many brands for distribution by others. His Corporacion Cigar Export in the Dominican Republic has created blends such as Emmo 500, Fittipaldi, Navegador and others. Now, as he noted at last year’s launch at the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America show, “I have put together three blends so exquisite that I can lend them my name.” Told you he was confident! We checked them out:
A R Criollo:
[Dominican Republic: available in 7 sizes]
This blend is distinguished by its red band. It has a toasty aroma and a medium-to-full body.
It begins with a creamy, toasty flavor with a short finish with just a touch of spice. The blend has plenty of hidden power, however, and the spicy finishing element grows in importance as you move through the cigar.
If you enjoy a spicy tone, this cigar will agree with you. But while its Criollo filler is the key to its taste, the blend can also leave a mark on your head. Smoke carefully!
Overall grade: B+: Very Good.
A R Epicur:
[Dominican Republic: available in 5 sizes]
This medium-bodied blend sports a bright blue and is a true joy. There’s an easy, light and slightly spicy aroma and the cigar offers a medium-bodied experience.
There’s a clean, clear caramelized flavor, with a endearing delicacy and balance, with just the slightest hint of spice on the finish. This is a subtle cigar with a relaxed taste that demands contemplation and attention.
The Epicur line is made even more interesting by being made up of torpedoes and perfectos. The Perfecto Grande, at 6 1/4 inches and 54 ring gauge is a special delight.
Overall grade: A: Exceptional.
A R Nativo:
[Dominican Republic: available in 7 sizes]
The Nativo is identified by its black band and showcases a medium-to-full body with a toasty and spicy aroma and an even burn.
The taste is slight creamy and sweet with a tingle of spice on the finish. It’s nicely balanced and the delicate flavor is clean and refreshing.
In the second half, the blend introduces an undertow of pepper on the finish, but it’s not aggressive and the balance and smoothness of the experience are maintained. If there was any doubt that a cigar made of all Dominican-grown tobaccos could be complex and layered in its flavor profile, this cigar ends the debate.
Overall grade: A-: Excellent.
In 2005, Craig Cunningham of D.P. Cigars in Dana Point, California decided to offer a blend that had the characteristics he was looking for. Working with manufacturers in both the Dominican Republic and Honduras, he created the Esteban Carrera line . . . and we’re glad he did.
Esteban Carrera Connecticut:
[Dominican Republic: available in 4 sizes]
The basic Esteban Carrera line is offered with Connecticut and maduro wrappers. The Connecticut-wrapped blend has an Ecuadorian-grown, Connecticut-seed wrapper and is mild in body.
That doesn’t mean it lacks taste or character, just that it leaves a small flavor footprint in the mouth. There’s a spicy aroma and a rich, smooth caramelized taste to this cigar.
There’s a suggestion of spice on the finish and while the taste isn’t bright, the overall effect is very smooth and easy to enjoy. The spicy finish becomes more prevalent in the second half and adds a coda to an enjoyable and relaxing smoke, priced at $6.40 to $8.00 each depending on size and before any local tobacco taxes.
Overall grade: A-: Excellent.
Esteban Carrera Maduro:
[Honduras: available in 4 sizes]
Made in Danli, Honduras, this version of the Esteban Carrera line sports a dark, Nicaraguan-grown maduro wrapper and a medium-to-full-bodied taste.
The aroma is slightly sweet and has just a hint of spice. There’s a sweet, caramelized flavor that reflects the influence of the maduro wrapper and has a medium finish. Well made with an even burn, the blend stays consistent right through the end and even with plenty of character, is never overpowering or aggressive. A very enjoyable cigar, also retailing for $6.40 to $8.00 each (before any taxes).
Overall grade: A: Exceptional.
Esteban Carrera Limitada 1961 Reserve:
[Dominican Republic: available in 4 sizes]
In 2006, Cunningham decided to add to the Esteban Carrera line with a new blend, made at the La Aurora factory. We found the “Limitada 1961 Reserve” to be medium-to-full in body with a sweet and spicy aroma.
The blend is built around the aged Cameroon wrapper, which offers plenty of character to the flavor. There’s a sweet and creamy, caramelized core to the taste, with a medium finish.
The 1961 burns evenly and just a bit of spice develops about the mid-way point. It’s a little shy sometimes, so don’t oversmoke and try shorter puffs to let the flavors reveal themselves. At $6.40 to $8.80 before local tobacco taxes, it’s a well-made respite from louder cigars and helps one to appreciate the artisanal quality of the blender’s art.
Overall grade: A-: Excellent.
Reyes and Cunningham are among a small, but slowly growing fraternity of blenders who are creating cigars that meet their own high standards and are meeting with acceptance from a wider and wider circle of smokers. If you enjoy seeing new bands and trying new blends, Augusto and Craig are sure you won’t be unhappy that you gave their handiwork a chance.
~ Rich Perelman
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