Curivari El Gran Rey

The Curivari line is one I have been hearing a lot about lately. This week I am trying the El Gray Rey line, which like the rest of the Curivari cigars is a Nicaraguan Puro. This one is a mixture of Corojo and Criollo tobaccos. I am smoking the Prominentes size that measures in at 6.5x50. 

The El Gran Rey looks to be a very well made cigar with a Cuban style triple cap finishing it off. The overall roll feels very even and the wrapper is a medium brown color with a slightly oily and silky feel to it. The aroma at the foot is of light barnyard and leather. The cap cut very clean and the cold draw shows a perfect draw with light flavors of that same barnyard I got off the foot aroma. Immediately upon lighting I am greeted with a flood of flavor including leather, coffee and a roasty/toasty flavor. This is a very flavorful cigar, but is lighter on the palate and mild/medium strength so far. I am also getting some black tea and honey flavors. 

Nearing the halfway point and this cigar continues to impress me with the complexity it offers. Quite suddently the flavor profile shifts to an oak and some bitter walnut flavors. The sweetness is pretty much gone and that bitterness isn't overwhelming thankfully. There is a citrus zest flavor coming through at this point as well. I hate to even say this but there are some characteristics of this cigar that really do remind me of some of the Cuban cigars I have smoked. Entering the final third and the flavor profile has turned darker, with that rich leather flavor really coming through now. The construction on this cigar is pretty impressive and the burn hasn't needed any touchups. 

This was my first cigar from Curivari, and it definitley won't be my last! It's nice to find another cigar that offers plenty of flavor and complexity in the mild/medium strength range. The first half of this cigar was fantastic and while I didn't love that bitterness that crept in as I entered the final third of this El Gran Rey, I would like to pick up a few more soon to see if that is a consistent trait of this cigar. I have a feeling a little age might get rid of some of that bitterness. This size sells for around $9.50, so while not cheap it doesn't break the bank.