My Weekend Cigar: La Riqueza No.4
Over the weekend, we had a wild and wacky in-store event with Tatuaje cigars creator Pete Johnson. It was also one of the best-attended events I've seen since in months; the store was packed to the rafters as attendees smoked Tatuaje, Cabaiguan, and Tatuaje Cojuno, among others. I also had the pleasure of officially meeting Mr. Johnson, and he was a pleasure to hangout with.
One of the featured brands was Pete's La Riqueza cigars, and I had the No.4, a 5" x 48 Robusto. Like all of Pete Johnson's lines, La Riqueza is made by Don José Pepin Garcia, and features a medium-bodied, all-Nicaraguan tobacco blend.
La Riqueza cigars are box-pressed and sport a rich-looking, oily wrapper leaf. The cigar was well-packed and the cap popped-off cleanly, offering an excellent draw with a pre-lit taste was mostly "woody."
Upon lighting, the smoke had a burly, spicy character to it that rounded out shortly after the first half-inch. Like its pre-lit taste, once the cigar got going, the smoke was predominantly woody in flavor, very smooth, and easy on the palate. I paired it with a bottle of Tommyknocker Jack Wacker Wheat Ale; not a very heavy beer, but IMO, it detracted from the flavor of the cigar. Next time, I will try pairing up the La Riqueza with a Port or a rich cup of coffee.
By the halfway point, the cigar began to take on a more full-flavored dimension while maintaining it's smooth, woody character with just a trace of roasted nuts on the finish.
This is not a complex cigar, but in summation, I found the La Riqueza No.4 rich in flavor, highly consistent, well-balanced with a clean burn, and extremely relaxing,; a good "starter" cigar for those who are curious about Pete Johnson's cigars.
~ Gary Korb
One of the featured brands was Pete's La Riqueza cigars, and I had the No.4, a 5" x 48 Robusto. Like all of Pete Johnson's lines, La Riqueza is made by Don José Pepin Garcia, and features a medium-bodied, all-Nicaraguan tobacco blend.
La Riqueza cigars are box-pressed and sport a rich-looking, oily wrapper leaf. The cigar was well-packed and the cap popped-off cleanly, offering an excellent draw with a pre-lit taste was mostly "woody."
Upon lighting, the smoke had a burly, spicy character to it that rounded out shortly after the first half-inch. Like its pre-lit taste, once the cigar got going, the smoke was predominantly woody in flavor, very smooth, and easy on the palate. I paired it with a bottle of Tommyknocker Jack Wacker Wheat Ale; not a very heavy beer, but IMO, it detracted from the flavor of the cigar. Next time, I will try pairing up the La Riqueza with a Port or a rich cup of coffee.
By the halfway point, the cigar began to take on a more full-flavored dimension while maintaining it's smooth, woody character with just a trace of roasted nuts on the finish.
This is not a complex cigar, but in summation, I found the La Riqueza No.4 rich in flavor, highly consistent, well-balanced with a clean burn, and extremely relaxing,; a good "starter" cigar for those who are curious about Pete Johnson's cigars.
~ Gary Korb
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