Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is a very consistent dark brown. There are a couple of veins present, but they are very well pressed. The seams are nearly invisible and very smooth. It’s hard to tell, but the head appears to be finished off with a double cap. The band is in the shape of a bat and is black with a shiny holographic border. The aroma from the wrapper is a mix of wood, hay and cocoa while the foot is a mix of wood, leather and white pepper. The pre-light draw is wood with the faintest of raisin sweetness. There is also a mild spiciness on my lips.

Pre-light Experience

The Espinosa Murcielago Robusto has a spot on maduro wrapper shade. Construction of the box pressed cigar looks good as veins are well pressed, seams tight, uniformed give throughout and a well applied thick cap. Smelling the wrapper gives cedar and dry red pepper. Nosing the foot gives sharp black pepper and cedar. Cold draw tells sharper tones of both cedar and black pepper.

First Third

The cigar begins with an in your face dose of dark wood, chocolate and black pepper. At a quarter inch in, the chocolate fades back while the dark wood and black pepper are still very full up front with a slight creaminess joining in. At an inch in, the pepper settles down and lets the chocolate note become detectable again. The dark wood is still up front and a slight creaminess is also present. The retrohale has an equal mix of the dark wood and black pepper. As the third comes to a close, the pepper has left the mouth flavors as the wood lightens up with the cream and chocolate in the background. The strength in this third was medium-full.

First Third

Initial half an inch or so is full of dried red peppers with the heat to follow. Past that mark, oak and dark chocolate mixes into the profile. The retrohale is powerful with stinging dry red peppers and dried nuts. The finish continues the heat in addition to oak and gritty earth. Both body and strength is medium plus.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the wood is just slightly ahead of the cream and chocolate notes. At a half inch in, some black pepper returns to the profile. The retrohale maintains the equal mix of wood and pepper. At an inch in, the black pepper mellows and the chocolate has left the profile while the wood is up front and the cream is a supporting note. The strength in this third was slightly above medium.

Second Third

The second third shows the profile softening up as the dry red pepper and it’s associated heat backs off, which allows the dark chocolate profile to further shine. That and the mixture of gritty earth and graphite minerality further accentuates the rustic profile. Strength and body remains unchanged at medium plus.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the wood gains some darkness as a slight bitterness joins the profile. After a purge, the bitterness goes away as some slight chocolate returns to mix with the dark wood and a bit of cream. The retrohale has dropped the pepper and now presents a warm oak note. At an inch in, the dark wood is more defined as oak and gains a warmth as the cigar heats up and drops the chocolate and cream. This is the profile the cigar finishes with. The strength in this third bumped back up to medium-full.

Final Third

The last third follows the trend of the second third such that it is still less pepper focused with dark chocolate, graphite minerals, baking spices and some bread notes coming through. The retrohale also drastically tones down the pepper as well, being more nuts driven. Strength and body finishes medium plus.

Burn

The burn line was slightly wavy but never needed any attention. Taking the band off took a decent sized piece of wrapper with it, but it burned right through it with no issue. The ash held on in about inch and a half increments.

Burn

Burn performance was overall very good. Ample smoke production, cool burning temperature and solid 1.5 inch ash marks. The only downside was a couple minor touch-ups required.

Draw

The draw was perfect with just the right amount of resistance that I prefer.

Overall

The cigar started with a very full profile of wood and black pepper with some chocolate and cream notes. Strength started medium-full and was right around there the whole way. There were some nice transitions until the final third where it was very wood focused. This is a very nice re-introduction of the Murcielago and one I would go back to often. This would be a good evening/after dinner cigar based on the full and dark flavors along with the strength. Fans of the previous Murcielago’s and those that are Espinosa fans are sure to find another favorite here.

Draw

The boxed pressed cigar showed no issues with the draw. The ideal airflow.

Overall

The newly designed Murcielago is a rustic and darker profile. First third showed a bit too much spice for me, really extending the familiar spice hit of most Espinosa cigars. But past that mark, the cigar settled into a profile of dark chocolate, dry red peppers, minerals and oak. These flavors worked as they stayed consistent throughout and quite fitting to the black bat. I recommend this cigar as a post meal cigar as the dark profile can sneak up on you being higher in nicotine. I’m curious how the old Murcielago’s smokes now. But that will have to be a tomorrow cigar as I’m assuming it won’t hold up to this new rendition in terms of strength and body.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

6.72

Cost/Point

$1.27

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

6.72

Cost/Point

$1.27

Scoring System

Team Cigar Review: Espinosa Murcielago Robusto