Cigar Review: Nestor Miranda 20th Anniversary "Danno" Habano Rosado

By Gary Korb

In honor of National Nestor Miranda Cigar Day, I felt it only appropriate to I post my review of The Nestor Miranda 20th Anniversary "Danno." As you know, I've reviewed the mainline Nestor Miranda Special Selection cigars in recent months, and they've become one of my new faves. But this specially blended 20th Anniversary model, which celebrates Miami Cigar's 20th year in business, is in a class by itself.

Named for Nestor Miranda's late son, Daniel, the Danno was "re-blended and 'tweaked'" by Señor Miranda and Pepin Garcia. It's rolled to one size, a voluptuous 7" x 56, and presented in boxes of 20 cigars. Limited to only 1,000 boxes each per wrapper version (the cigar is also offered in a Habano Oscuro wrapper), it's only available for sale in local neighborhood cigar stores.

ACT I: The cigar is beautiful to look at and firmly packed throughout. Capped with a Cuban-style pigtail, the wrapper is flawless and sports an oily, even-toned, dark-reddish patina. The cap sliced-off neatly, and the cold draw was unhindered offering earthy, dark tobacco notes. This is one chewy mouthful of a cigar, too.

Once lit, the smoke was thick, creamy, and medium bodied. As the cold draw predicted, the cigar served up a base of dark, earthy-woody flavors laced with a fruity sweetness and light peppery notes on the finish.

ACT II: The smoke began to build in strength and spiciness, while retaining its underlying sweetness and creamy texture. The burn to this point was razor sharp, and the ash firm, tapping off in one-inch nuggets. This was where most of the meat was, and each puff was as flavorful as the one that preceded it.

ACT III: The smoke was now at its peak, shifting into a potent mix of wood, raisins, and a healthy dose of black pepper. I smoked it down to just under an inch. Though the Danno was a very "heady" smoke, it never became uncomfortably overpowering.

Overall, a highly consistent, bold-tasting luxury-class cigar that more experienced palates will appreciate. In a word: Exquisite.

Nestor Miranda 20th Anniversary "Danno" Habano Rosado
Size/Strength: 7 x 56 / Full
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Rosado
Filler: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Appearance: 10
Construction: 10
Burn: 9
Draw: 9
Aroma: 9
Flavor: 9
Final Score: 9.3