Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is dark brown with a few visible veins which are well pressed. The seams are easily visible as they are slightly raised in some areas and the head is finished off with a well applied triple cap. The band is identical to the Habano version except for the yellow lettering and borders which are white on this release. The aroma from the wrapper is a mix of cocoa and earth while the foot is a mixture of cocoa and leather with a bit of white pepper in the background. The pre-light draw is a mix of leather and hay while there is a slight spicy tingle on my lips.

Pre-light Experience

The Espinosa Pier 28 Maduro Robusto has a rich dark brown wrapper classified as Colorado Maduro. Veins are well pressed and seams tight. Bunch and roll feels finely executed as there is a firm uniformed give throughout. The head is finished off with a thick triple cap. Nosing the wrapper tells sharp white pepper, barnyard and cedar. Smelling the foot gives strong white pepper, cedar and dried nuts. Cold draw reveals white pepper on the lips and tongue and must.

First Third

Cocoa and an intense crushed red pepper is how the cigar begins. After a few draws, the crushed red pepper almost completely leaves the profile as a general wood notes joins the cocoa. The red pepper is still prevalent on the retrohale though as it’s quite hot. At an inch in, the cocoa and wood note are continuing on with a very nice balance while the retrohale has really toned down the red pepper and a general woodiness has taken over. This the profile the cigar maintains through the rest of the third. The strength in this third was slightly below medium.

First Third

The flavor profile is deep with spice and wood creating a mixture of black pepper on the rear palate towards the back of my throat and charred wood. Secondary flavors show dried nuts and subdued baking spices. Roughly an inch in, the pepper spice backs off a tad and allows for the profile to be more dried nuts focused. Retrohaling gives fierce black pepper spice and spicy cedar up front and a dried nuttiness is on the back end. The finish has the black pepper spice sitting on the rear palate near my throat as well as dried wood and baking spices. Strength is medium-full and body medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the wood, now more defined as oak takes the lead over the cocoa. At a quarter inch in, the cigar becomes a bit drying on the palate and I am taking frequent sips of water. The retrohale has lost all of the red pepper and it is now just oak. At three quarters of an inch in, the oak becomes a bit darker while there is still a bit of cocoa in the background and it is not as drying. This is the profile the third finishes with. The strength in this third was right at medium.

Second Third

The second third shows the spice further tapering off and introduces graphite minerality. Baking spices and dried nuts from the first third are still prevalent. The spice is still on the rear palate and throat but it’s important to note it never irritates my throat in an unpleasant manner. The spice is most realized on the retrohale, still very intense. The finish picks up the same minerality as the mouth draws along with the same dry wood and baking spices. Strength and body continues to be medium-full and medium, respectively.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the dark oak continues while a bit of cocoa remains in the background. A little bit of red pepper heat finds its way back into the profile. The retrohale has a very nice toasted oak note to it. At a half inch in, the red pepper heat and cocoa leave with just the dark oak remaining. As the third progresses, the darkness increases on the oak and the cigar begins to heat up. This is how it finishes. The strength in this third was slightly above medium.

Final Third

The last third is very similar to the second third except that the profile’s finish becomes a bit muddled with the same notes (dry wood, minerals, baking spices). The mouth draw flavors are the same with graphite minerality, black pepper, baking spices and dried nuts. Retrohaling is still full throttle with black pepper. Strength continues to be medium-full and body medium.

Burn

There burn was pretty straight the entire way and the ash held on through each third.

Burn

Perfect burn. Not a single touch up or re-light, straight burn, 1 inch solid ash marks and a cool slow burn.

Draw

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

Overall

A lot of cocoa through the first third along with some crushed red pepper and wood. As it progressed, it settled into an oak and cocoa profile. This is a very nice variation on the Pier 28 line. I still prefer the Habano, but this is a nice change of pace. Strength is right around medium, so most smokers would be right at home. If you prefer Maduro cigars, then you might like this a bit better. It is definitely a cigar to seek out whether you’re an Espinosa fan or not. I’d be happy with a 2 to 1 Habano to Maduro ratio in smoking the Pier 28 line.

Draw

The perfect balance between airflow and resistance.

Overall

Pier 28’s sophomore release is one that is on the heavier side in spice and charred wood. For me, it was a bit too heavy in spice and wood. If you are a fan of deep spice and heavier mouth feel, this is no doubt for you. But if you are a fan of the original Habano release, this release is not that but worth a try to do a comparison and contrast.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

6.82

Cost/Point

$1.17

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

6.10

Cost/Point

$1.31

Scoring System

Team Cigar Review: Espinosa Pier 28 Maduro Robusto