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Providencia Bank Shot, The Essential and Straight Fire Cigars

Providencia Cigars seems to make a lot of Limited edition, small batch releases, in addition to their excellent core line. Ray Zinar keeps me up to date on them, by the way, he has roots in the South Jersey, Philly area, it’s on my bucket list to meet up with him. Most of these cigars are made in the Flor e San Luis Factory in Esteli, while the core line is (or at least was) made in Honduras. I’ve smoked a bunch of cigars from Providencia, and all except for one in the latest round was perfect. I am omitting that one from mention as I’ve included more in a recent order for future consideration. Stuff happens. Providencia Cigars are available at Underground Cigars in the event folks are compelled to sample them, and I would encourage it. Let’s look at the Bank Shot first.  This is a Torpedo shaped cigar with a dark wrapper. It has a San Andrés maduro wrapper with Nicaraguan and Peruvian fillers. I initially thought it was broadleaf wrapped, and Ray agrees with me that it has that look and feel, I had initially guessed PA Broadleaf, what do I know? What I do know is that I liked it. It was a perfectly constructed torpedo and was full bodied and really quite good. They are fond of using interesting Nicaraguan tobaccos in the filler blend. Thumbs up on this one. although I wasn’t comprelled to shoot pool. 

 

The Essential is a toro, it felt like a 6″ x 50, could have been 52, I didn’t measure it. I have to take a moment to be a little critical of Underground’s website, it could use a little more information about the cigars. a picture and a price isn’t enough in my opinion. In their defence, maybe these don’t hang around long enough to put in the effort, and it’s really not their job to be an informational resource for me personally, but don’t consumers want more information? it is just me? Doesn’t size matter, at least?  I digress. The Essential pays homage to essential workers, with the symbols for fire, police and EMS on the band. Providencia has a history of social conscience, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the make some sort of donation to a charity along one of these lines. I bought more of these cigars. I immediately got the sense that there was some Sumatra going on with this cigar, and although I was told it uses a Habano wrapper, the image of the box lid says Sumatra Nicaragua, so I’m going to say I’m partially right on this one. It had the sweetness I find in my favorite Sumatra cigars, and I loved it. Another perfect burn, and a great cigar experience. As I said, I voted with my wallet, and can’t wait to have to find room in my humidor for more of these. Medium plus in strength, super good. 

 

Last night I smoked the Straight Fire. This is Connecticut wrapped toro, 6″ x 54 from the looks of it. I really should be measuring these when there’s no data available. It’ a holiday weekend after all. By the way, for the folks posting the memes about cancelling Labor Day because people aren’t working, speak for yourselves. Lots of people are working, go piss up a rope. Sorry.  Anyway, Straight Fire seems an odd name for a Connecticut cigar, it implies strength, power, not a mild, creamy cigar. Well, while it’s not a powerhouse, it’s not a mild cigar either. This is a full flavored cigar. It actually started off with some pepper, not a lot, but enough to know it was there. There was a lot of flavor, it was creamy, but definitely heavy cream, no 2% milk here. The slight bitterness of the shade wrapper was there, but after a while I forgot I was smoking a Connecticut cigar. I tolerate Connecticuts, there’s a few I really like, but this one was pretty darned good.  

 

There’s a lot of talk about companies that make limited and small batch cigars, and I’ve been critical of some of them myself. I believe that Provdencia is actually doing this the right way, using a small factory and limited resources, and selling them through a limited channel with very little hype. They seems to have a fun balance between the core line and the limiteds. That’s all I have for today, enjoy the long weekend!

 

CigarCraig

 

 

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