Viaje Exclusivo Leaded

Last year, Viaje announced yet another release to its Exclusivo Series, which now stands at 21 releases, although one in particular was noticeably different. The Viaje Exclusivo Leaded not only carries a slightly modified version of the Exclusivo’s band, but also a modified version of the blend.

The big difference was the use of medio tiempo leaf, a part of the plant that contains leaves higher than that of ligero leaves—typically the highest part of a tobacco plant. Not all plants produce medio tiempo leaf and many tobacco growers simply classify the medio tiempo leaf as ligero. For those that decide to separate it, they are left with leaves that are richer and stronger than that of ligero.

Viaje opted to use it for Leaded, which was offered in a 5 x 52 robusto size, early last year. Here’s what I said about the cigar when I reviewed it.

Greatest Exclusivo of all time? No. Now that that is out of the way, we can talk about the Leaded, which was more than an enjoyable cigar and one I look forward to smoking again, soon. The grapefruit note was a welcome surprise, while the balance was something any cigar could use. This was not a cigar that needed more time flavor-wise, not a cigar that was just another cigar. Tighten the draw and remove the burn problems in the second third and it’s a cigar with nothing to complain about.

As with just about every Viaje, Leaded was limited, in this particular instance 500 boxes of 25 cigars.

• Cigar Reviewed: Viaje Exclusivo Leaded
• Country of Origin: Honduras
• Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas S. de R.L.
• Wrapper: Nicaragua
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Size: 5 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 52
• Vitola: Robusto
• MSRP: $9.44 (Boxes of 25, $236)
• Date Released: Feb. 19, 2014
• Number of Cigars Released: 500 Boxes of 25 Cigars (12,500 Total Cigars)
• Number of Cigars Smoked For Redux: 1

Aroma is leathery with some odd buttermilk fried chicken notes and some sweetness.[ref]For those wondering akin to the gyro flavor, I haven’t had fried chicken in a while either.[/ref] The cold draw is different with cocoa powder, sunflower seeds, floral and leather. There’s a soft spot around the foot, but other than that, the cigar seems fine.

Flavor-wise, it begins with some sweet vanilla ice cream and burnt caramel. The dessert portion of the Viaje Exclusivo Leaded transitions pretty quickly with an earthy cocoa, some pepper and leather being the start in the first third. The second third drops the cocoa, but keeps the leather and earthiness. Midway through the salivation in my mouth becomes interesting. While it doesn’t have the flavor, it was sort of like eating uni—flavors hit the palate, take a very long to show themselves and then cause big mouth salivation. On the finish there’s a dry nuttiness that at times could be confused for sawdust if that makes any sense. The harshness picks up in the final third, but there’s a lot of added fruitiness, floral flavors and creaminess that help to combat it. There’s grans and that dry salivating flavor on the back of the mouth, although after about 40 minutes that whole salivating thing has gotten to be a bit annoying.

Construction-wise, my only real complaint is that the smoke production started a bit anemic, something that was helped quite a bit once the covered foot was burnt off. I didn’t have any issues with the draw, which was something that troubled me the first few times I smoked the cigar. The burn wasn’t perfect, but it did correct itself and my lighter went unused after the cigar was initially lit. Strength was medium-full, not the strongest Exclusivo I’ve had, but no slouch.