- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)-
This week we are reviewing Quesada Seleccion Espana in a corona size. If you are wondering why you haven’t seen or heard about ‘Espana’, it is because this specific line is being marketed in Spain. Luckily, few selected shops in US were fortunate enough to add this gem to their inventory. Unfortunately, for us, cigar smokers, quantity was limited and interest very high. Fume Cigars was one of the few lucky shops able to bring all three vitolas: petito robusto, robusto, and cigar I’m reviewing today, corona.
Quesada Seleccion Espana was definitely a roller-coaster to say the least. I’m smoking my third sample as I type this review and this cigar definitely falls into ‘third time’s the charm’ expression category. I continue to appreciate the fact that we are smoking hand made products and that should be taken into consideration when construction of particular cigar is described. Having said that, I believe it is acceptable to expect a decent draw and construction. Well, unfortunately that was not the case with first two samples. Tight draw, lack of flavor, twig were the unfortunate highlights. Second sample showed drastic improvement after ‘manual’ intervention so I knew that Quesada Seleccion Espana had a huge potential.
Full circle and we are back to third sample. Experience made an obvious 180 and was aligned with what fellow cigar smokers Brooks & Ben have described to me. In flavor department, I was able to extract enjoyable coffee, sweetness and woodiness. I was hoping for a hint of spice to balance the previous two but unfortunately that wasn’t the case, even on the retrohale. In addition, but less noticeable, was lingering chocolaty / nutty flavor on the palate. Compared to the first & second sample, the last cigar turned into a smoke machine. The amount of smoke, when puffed / resting, reminded me of Liga Privada No9 and for those who smoked LP9 know how much smoke this cigar can produce. Burned was excellent and no touch-ups were needed. Decent 3/4″ tight ash pimped the front of the cigar.
As you can tell, this was definitely a peak/valley experience. If I was to judge Quesada Seleccion Espana solely on the first two cigars, I don’t think I would have made a lot of friends in Quesada family. However, after smoking third sample, I’m glad I bought a box of Quesada Seleccion Espana coronas. I’m being told that petit robustos are as delicious as coronas and therefore I’m putting them on the ‘to-buy’ list.
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic / Nicaragua / touch of Broadleaf
Length: 5.5″
Ring: 42
Construction > Mixed experience
Burn > Mixed experience
Enjoy > Yes
Recommend > Yes
Buy > Yes
#1 by Denny P on June 23, 2011 - 11:56 am
Looks great man. Nicely done as always
#2 by Jan on June 23, 2011 - 4:47 pm
Great pictures!! I love this cigar!! Sorry to hear about your experience with your first two sticks.
My experience with the robusto was great!! Maybe we can do a trade?? Corona’s for robustos??
really like picture #6!!
Great review Jay!
#3 by Dalamscius on July 6, 2011 - 10:48 pm
I actually don’t think I’ve smoked a Quesada. I’m curious how the rest of the cigars smoke Jay. More ups and downs?
the pic in the pines came out awesome!
#4 by admin on July 7, 2011 - 11:18 am
@ Danny – Are you officially D e nny now ? :)
@ Jan – I’m hearing that petite robusto are second best with corona being on the top. I’m looking forward to smoking regular robusto. Thanks for shipping it.
@ Daniel – I have smoked 4 coronas in total. I have robustos from Jan that I need to try.
#5 by TADD on July 9, 2011 - 8:47 am
I have got to say… I really enjoyed this smoke. Great photos as usual. I feel it was somewhat cubanesque in it’s flavor department. Cedary, creamy, etc… Great Stuff Jay!
#6 by admin on July 11, 2011 - 10:44 am
Glad you enjoyed it. Did you smoke corona as well ? Lots of folks are calling out that ‘cubanesque’ twist.