MEGA Review: Cain 654T Habano Torpedo

[buzz]

About the cigar:

Brand: ...... Cain by Oliva ........Color: ...... Natural
Name: ....... 654T Habano ..........Wrapper: .... Nicaragua
Country: .... Nicaragua ............Binder: ..... Nicaragua
Type: ....... Torpedo ..............Filler: ..... Nicaragua
Size: ....... 6x54 .................Price: ...... ~$6
Strength: ... Full .................Website: .... www.caincigars.com

Information from Cain:

Making a Cain Straight Ligero cigar requires a unique understanding of the leaf. Ligero comes from the top of the tobacco plant. It’s direct exposure to the sun darkens and thickens the leaf. Smaller than leaves lower on the plant, it also enjoys a concentration of nutrients. Habano Seed Ligero is recognized as the most full flavored leaf.

Additionally, the region in which this Habano Seed is grown plays a significant role in its flavor and strength. Esteli Ligero is the strongest of all the Ligeros. It is used with care as it can overpower the other filers in a cigar. Condega Ligero is a medium body ligero. Grown further north of Esteli. While still a very full body leaf, it’s more tame strength exhibits complex richness. Jalapa Ligero is the smoothest of these powerhouses. Jalapa is the northern most tobacco region of Nicaragua. Jalapa Ligero is grown in a valley and enjoys less direct sun, the result is a full body leaf with a more noticeable range of flavor.

Esteli Ligero: 25%
Condega Ligero: 27%
Jalapa Ligero: 30%

Cigar Architecture is crucial in any cigar. It is especially critical in making a Straight Ligero cigar. Not all tobaccos burn at the same rate. Ligeros are the fullest body, slowest burning of the tobaccos. Viso is medium flavored with better burn qualities. Seco is lighter flavored and quickest to burn. It is the careful arrangement of these tobaccos that allows a cigar to burn true.

Flavor Range refers to the low, medium, and high range of flavors in a cigar blend. Typically these ranges are achieved by the three afore mentioned tobaccos. In making a Straight Ligero cigar we are delivering our low, medium, and high range all from Ligero tobaccos. Still we must carefully arrange these Ligeros with other tobaccos for a true burn. The other tobaccos make no significant contribution to the flavor.

Wrapper Leaf is typically credited with delivering up to 60% of the flavor of the cigar, depending on the ring gauge. This is mostly true. In a Straight Ligero cigar it plays an important but reduced role as a result of the three powerful Ligeros.

Fermentation is where the real magic occurs. After curing, the tobacco leaves have all their potential locked inside. It is through patient and vigilant handling that the leaves are brought to the desired result. The tobacco leaves are placed into groups of 20-25 leaves called “Manos.” The “Manos” are then stacked in large piles called, “Pilones.” Inside these “Pilones” the tobacco can reach temperatures as high as 120 degrees. The inner most tobacco generates the most heat. The “Pilon” is rotated often to allow for even heat exposure. No automation is used in this critical process. It is the work of a tobacco man and his instincts.

Triple Fermentation is a process by which we bring the tobacco up to temperature three separate times. This was imperative in making Cain because of the mission to make a Straight Ligero cigar.

The Ligero Tobacco can take sustained temperature as a results of its thicker character. Through this careful process we brought out all of the deepest richest flavors of the Ligeros. This also allowed us to smooth the jagged delivery of flavor into a very full body yet smooth curve.