Viaje Platino Five Fifty Eight

In 2010, Viaje continued its then two year-old tradition of selecting two retailers to receive an exclusive cigar from one of its two core lines, Oro and Platino. For that year, Habana Smoke Shop received a Short Figurado from the Oro line called La Pequeña, while The Humidor selected what was the biggest Viaje to date from the Platino line. Aptly named the Five Fifty Eight, The Humidor received 50 boxes of a 5 x 58 Parejo.

The Five Fifty Eight is likely the quietest of Viaje single store releases, particularly of the last few years. Oddly, there have been two different releases of Five Fifty Eight, the original 50 box shipment and a subsequent 49 box shipment. 

• Name: Viaje Platino Five Fifty Eight
• Country of Origin: Honduras
• Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas S. de R.L. (Raíces Cubanas)
• Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo 99
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Size: 5 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 58
• Vitola: Robusto Gordo
• MSRP: $9.95 (Boxes of 25, $248.75)
• Release Date: 2010
• Number of Cigars Released: 50 Boxes of 25 Cigars & 49 Boxes of 25 Cigars (2,475 Total Cigars)
• Number of Cigars Smoked for Review: 2

The Corojo 99 wrapper seems particularly oily for the Five Fifty Eight. It’s dark with pronounced veins and an overall great dark leather hue. There’s not much off the wrapper: a bit of leather and barnyard, probably thanks to the lack of cellophane. Given the great closed foot, there’s much else there as well. Cold draw off the Viaje is incredibly open with a strong cashew note and then the typical AGANORSA sweet brownie cocoa. There’s also some great hickory and sunflower notes that make the medium-full cold draw truly unique.

The first third begins with an absolutely great aroma off the massive Viaje followed by a dry profile that begins with cedar before buttering to nuts and then a touch of pepper. For the first five minutes, the Five Fifty Eight is a lot milder than one would expect , but eventually the pepper and strength kick in that order. It settles to a core of cedar and leather, both rich and developed, with a sweet undertone and some heavier earth on the finish. Unfortunately, the draw is predictably open.

After a few touch-ups, the second third settles with a bit more of a cocoa note and a much stronger leather. It’s a welcomed change for the Viaje and also seems to rid the profile nearly entirely of its aforementioned dryness. Smoke production is great, at some times just plain excessive and the draw is slowly tightening, although still very much open.

The final third seems a much heavier dose of strength and a bit more cedar as well. For the first half of the final third, it doesn’t seem as if the profile changed at all from the second third outside of the cedar, although eventually things start to wind down. Even at its tightest points, the draw of the Five Fifty Eight is still open, which isn’t great.

Final Notes

• While I love closed feet, I honestly think it was the culprit of the burn issues. The thickness of the wrapper seemed to make this much more of a struggle than it normally is. The openness of the draw was also not welcomed, however, smoke production was absolutely outstanding.
• Last year there was no new Platino line for a retailer. Although there was the aforementioned second shipment of Five Fifty Eight and an early 2012 shipment of Platino Samurais for BURN Premium Cigar Specialists and site sponsor Tobacco Grove.
• I have no clue why I keep getting nominated for large RG reviews.
• Last year, Viaje released the WLP Stuffed Turkey, which at 60 RG is now the largest Viaje Parejo to date.
• The Humidor is one of three stores that will be receiving the 2012 version of the Viaje Zombie and one of two that will be hosting events, meaning the newly-announced Skull and Bones Potato Masher will likely be there.
• The flavors of the Five Fifty Eight are rich, developed and full; not much complaint here.
• The Humidor’s website is smokesomethingbig.com, which is fitting.
• Just south of full is where I’d put the strength. Definitely not mild, but also not up there with much of Farkas’ other creations.
• There’s some discussion that there might be another fifty box run of these this year, although nothing is confirmed.
• Final smoking time was one hour and 40 minutes.
• If you would like to purchase the Viaje Platino Five Fifty Eight, The Humidor (316.440.4890) has about five boxes left and is willing to ship. Just tell them halfwheel sent you.