Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Habano Toro – H (6×54)

3 reviews for Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Habano Toro – H (6×54)

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   JGCigarReviewer – May 27, 2022

   The description of this stick begins with, “Welcome to flavor town!” and I must say, the profile tastes like it was blended by a sensitive and well-developed palate. For the short review, it’s a must smoke and perhaps even a box-worthy stick but for the full review, enjoy reading all the juicy details below!

   Before Lightup: The wrapper on this stick is a beautiful dark chocolate brown with a light tooth, oily sheen, and tight and visible seams. The presentation and branding in a word is: flawless. It would be easy to recognize this stick in a humidor with its black foot band and the gorgeous, yet simplistic knuckle sandwich band. The pre-light draw was open and the flavor on it was a dry, sweet tobacco – not indicative AT ALL of what would happen next…

   First Light: For this stick, we popped the cap with a small straight cut so as not to unroll the shoulder. After toasting, the first draw was a full, punch-you-square-in-the-face flavor experience. Present at first light were flavors that included a spice on either side of the palate. It wasn’t a hot spice like a chili pepper but was more like a black pepper (although I couldn’t quite put my finger on the specific flavor). There was a dark chocolate that was very neutral – no sweetness accompanying this flavor – and a bold, creamy espresso which almost gave off a slight bitterness while remaining delectably smooth and creamy. The smoke output was to die for as to be expected with such an open draw. The retrohale offered a slight spice in the sinuses, developed the creaminess a little further, and ramped up the existing flavor profile.

   First Third: After a few puffs it was evident that the pepper spice from lightup wasn’t a pepper at all; it was cinnamon on steroids. The body settled into a medium/full which I preferred over the fullness at lightup and offered that consistent creaminess. All the flavors began to balance out and harmonized very well. The wrapper sweetness made its entrance and added to the complexity of the stick – by the way, still only in the first third! The finish remained smooth and added an extra element of a light leather toward the end which lasted all the way until the next draw. I have no complaints over the burn as she was stacking dimes. The smoke itself was thick and chewy but also slightly warm – nothing negative yet, just noticeable especially on the retro.

   Second Third: To sum up the flavor profile of the second third in a single word would be to say “complex.” The sweetness now has a slight citrus note like a dried cranberry without that puckered effect you tend to get from them – like a chocolate covered cherry where the sweetness outweighs the tartness. The espresso and chocolate weren’t as dark here in the second third and reminded me of a nice mocha. There is still the presence of cinnamon on the draw which fades toward the finish. The finish now is definitely leathery and earthy with a slight nuttiness – almost like a walnut flavor. The smoke is not cooled down and the retro is much more enjoyable. As far as the ash is concerned, I went to ash the darn thing and the ash wouldn’t come off – speaks to great construction! The body is now in the medium to medium/full range and there was a mild strength present at this point which is something I definitely felt the need to keep an eye on. Band removal couldn’t have been easier, but it was tough seeing one that immaculate being torn asunder from her patron stick!

   Final Third: Other than the warm smoke at the outset, the rest of the time she was burning slow and smooth with little to no heat. The flavor profile, when compared to the rest of the stick dropped off – but on any other stick this would have been rock solid. There was a forward sweetness with an unmistakable dried cherry note accompanied by a general creaminess now carrying that generic last-third finish. Body intensified slightly, back up to a medium/full, and the strength remained mild which is okay by me. Overall smoking time was 1 hour 6 minutes.

   Overall: Honestly, it was no surprise to me when I read a chef was involved in the makeup of this stick. The flavor profile was consistently complex, well-balanced, and dynamite on its combination of flavors. The only places it lost points were in the warmth of the smoke in the first third and the lackluster final third when compared to the rest of the stick. The final score came out to a 9.4/10 or 94/100. I will say this is probably not one you want to grab, lightup, and carry around doing yardwork. This is a cigar made to sit, relax, and enjoy the complexity that comes from the art of cigarmaking.

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   BOUNCERZIGGY (verified owner) – April 9, 2024

   Espinosa has suddenly come alive with his last few blends! This is comparable to the Espinosa Sumatra which I love! Nice cedar and nutty finish. But for me, its that Espinosa spice that keeps me coming back. Great cigar here!

3. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Milliab (verified owner) – May 3, 2024

   This is my favorite cigar up to date!!! The amount of smoke that comes out of this thing, punches you right in the face. Its a great burning stick the whole way through!!!