I’ve always been open about my love for Nicaraguan puros, but our Trinidad Espiritu review puts a twist on Nicaragua’s rich stogie culture with a Latin Caribbean blend.
To celebrate fifty years of the Cuban brand Trinidad, the Trinidad Espiritu Series No. 1 is the first in a three-part “Espiritu” (“spirit” in Spanish) series that pays homage to the party lifestyle, vibrant energy and soulful tobacco that lit up cigars’ golden era (late ‘60s-early ‘70s).
In an attempt to reinvent the Trinidad brand like never before, Rafael Nodal (Altadis U.S.A.), along with third-generation Cuban-born cigar maker AJ Fernandez blended together to create what we know as The Trinidad Espiritu. Its follow-up – the highly anticipated Espiritu Series No.2 – was released earlier this year.
Fernandez has a reputation for putting his own voodoo twist on vintage Cuban brands like Montecristo, Punch and Romeo y Julieta. So how did he do alongside Nodal in his first attempt at refreshing classic Trinidad for a new generation?
CIGAR SPECS
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Smoke Time: 120 minutes
Sizes Available:
Toro (6 x 54)
Belicoso (6.12 x 52)
Robusto (5 x 50)
Fundador (7.5 x 40)
Magnum (6 x 60)
A LOOK AT THE ESPIRITU SERIES NO. 1 CONSTRUCTION
Cuban culture is colorful and this is shown through the bright tropical artwork on the packaging of this cigar that takes inspiration from ‘60s Havana streets and buildings.
There’s a light oily sheen which gives it a silky smooth touch. The medium-dark brown leaf wrapper has some raised veins that carry a light caramel hue.
When I roll it between my fingers, it’s actually slightly rough in texture – which you wouldn’t expect from just looking at it. However, there are plenty of oils buffing up against my fingertips.
The primary band shows off the unmistakable Trinidad logo. It is embossed in gold foil over a square of sea blue, with rich Caribbean-inspired design on each side.
The secondary band bears the name “Espiritu.” It has a thick blue stripe with thinner gold stripes surrounding it at the top and bottom. Once again, the borders have been given an artful tropical edge without being too over-the-top or ostentatious.
That said, was the cigar as good to smoke as it was pretty to look at? Let’s see what pre-light draw had to offer.
WHAT WAS THE COLD DRAW LIKE?
From the wrapper, all I could smell was mild spice mixed with stone fruit and earth; however, the foot gave off richer earthy scents that were more barnyard-oriented.
Once using a straight cut on the cap, I took some long cold puffs that were spot-on in terms of resistance – they also provided me with a mouthwatering preview of initial flavors. I got sweet leather and light pepper notes right away; there was also quite a bit of spice on my lips.
FLAVORS I GOT FROM THE ESPIRITU SERIES NO.1
Despite not being very complex overall, there was still lots happening flavor-wise within this particular edition (Trinidad Espiritu Series No. 1). Halfway through something sweet kicked in to balance out spices which mellowed out during every phase transition while smoking through it.
As I got closer to finishing this cigar, there was a bit of charred wood and bitterness that entered the flavor profile, while some beautiful anise notes lit up the finish. For me, the “sweet spot” was right around the middle of the cigar where the contrasting spice intensities and subtle creaminess hit their highest level of synergy.
FIRST THIRD
Immediately after getting my cigar lit, thick creamy smoke filled the air. The Trinidad Espiritu Series No.1 started off with some strong red pepper spice which mellowed out to a medium strength after a few puffs.
I also got some of those great barnyard aromas from the wrapper on my lips; those were joined later on by nut and earth notes.
SECOND THIRD
As I burned into the second third, some dry fruit notes and sweet heavy cedar came out to give it a touch of sweetness in its flavor profile. There was also a natural drizzle of creamy vanilla on the retrohale.
That being said, this cigar was still very spicy. With that pepper spice plus light baking spice coming in at different times, it had a nice contrast for both mild smokers and heavy-hitters.
FINAL THIRD
I’m still getting some spice notes in this final third, but they are overshadowed by seasoned wood along with earth and hints of citrus zest. At around half an inch in there is a slight addition of char and bitterness to go with tangy paprika that glazed over my nasal exhaled smoke.
While complexity doesn’t reach its peak during these final moments like it did earlier on during first and second thirds; there’s still plenty enough going on here near end which keeps things interesting.
HOW STRONG IS THE CIGAR?
Body-wise – Trinidad Espiritu Series No. 1 has smoked mostly medium for me regarding strength levels (although first-third flavors were closer towards medium-full spectrum).
This cigar performed flawlessly all throughout the smoking experience – with razor sharp burn line and solid ash holding on in inch-and-a-quarter increments.
LAST THOUGHTS
To fully appreciate all the flavor beats of this lively cigar, pour yourself a finger of bourbon and play through Trinidad’s curated Espiritu Series No. 1 playlist while smoking.
There is a delicate balance between spices and semi-sweetness within this Espiritu series number one that I found quite enjoyable. It has brought a more modern look to an old-school Cuban brand but there’s still enough vintage in there for purists too.