Curivari Reserva Limitada Reserva 2000

I first began to hear about Curivari after IPCPR 2010, but hadn’t seen any of their cigars till my samples from IPCPR 2011 arrived. Curivari currently offers six lines. My next several reviews will cover the three lines grouped together as part of the “Reserva Limitada.”

The three lines that make up the Reserva Limitada are Classica, Café and 1000 Series. Curivari is based out of Esteli, Nicaragua and all of their cigars are Nicaraguan puros. Other than that brief overview I have been able to find out very little about Curivari, the story behind their cigars, or even their production numbers.

On its website Curivari describes the 1000 Series as having a:

a dark Colorado wrapper and a full body with spice of pepper, roasted coffee, and a touch of berries.

The 1000 Series comes inthree3 sizes:

• Reserva 2000 — 5 x 50
• Reserva 3000 — 6 x 50
• Reserva 4000 — 6 1/4 x 54 (Torpedo)

And the Reserva Limitada Series has three different lines.

• Classica Series
• 1000 Series
• Café Series

• Cigar Reviewed: Curivari Reserva Limitada 1000 Series — Reserva 2000
• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: Tabacalera de Nicaragua
• Wrapper: Nicaragua
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Size: 5 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 50
• Vitola: Robusto
• MSRP: $6.50 (Boxes of 10, $65)
• Number of Cigars Smoked for Review: 1

All of Curivari’s cigars have a great classic branding to them, and the Reserva 2000 is no exception. The wrapper is smooth with small veining and some oils. The wrapper smells of sweet earth and the aroma at the foot combines that sweet earth with a dry hay. There are no soft spots and the construction of the cigar appears to be excellent. The cold draw has some earth and cocoa flavors.

After lighting the cigar, I am not really getting anything out of it. There is plenty of smoke and some faint hints of chocolate and vanilla, but overall the flavors are very muted. As the cigar burns past the 3/4 inch mark the flavors start to open up and upon reaching the first inch there is now a slight pepper spice, chocolate, and a sour note. The burn is also pretty ragged at this point already requiring a couple of touch-ups.

Moving into the Second Third of the cigar the flavors are continuing to evolve, and the burn has evened out without any more touching up. The spice has transitioned from pepper to something that reminds me of spiced tea. The milk chocolate flavor is still present, and a subtle sweetness has joined the sour note reminding me of raspberries. The balance that the cigar displays at this point is impeccable.

The Last Third of the cigar and it is hitting its stride. There have been no more problems with the burn and the flavors continue to be excellent with great balance. The chocolate flavor has at times tasted distinctly like Yoo-hoo. The spice has transitioned to a more peppery profile and has increased in strength a little bit. Towards the end of the cigar the sweet and sour notes have faded and are no longer present.

Final Notes

• I am really impressed with this offering from Curivari.
• While Curivari says this cigar is full-bodied, I would have to say for me it’s more medium-plus than full-bodied. Strength is definitely a solid medium.
• After the first inch this cigar was a great example of what a good medium body/medium strength can be. The flavor profile was totally rounded out and in perfect balance.
• Total smoking time was right at 2 hours.
• If you want any of the 1000 Series, the best place to get them is our sponsors. Call Mark at Tower Cigars at (916) 443-8466, who happens to have them at 10% off right now, and tell him we sent you.