Size: 6″ x 52
Vitola: Perfecto (Diploma shape)
Wrapper: ?? (assuming it’s Corojo)
Origin: Honduras
Age: 1 year
This little puppy, known as Christian’s Blend, is currently unique to the Signature Blends travel bag, which only includes 4 CLEs, is an extremely limited and hard to find cigar. Thanks to Matt for hooking me up on the BOTL forum.
So being Christian Eiroa’s, Camacho president, personal blend I was expecting a cigar that will drop a man to his knees. But the first third didn’t do it.
The reddish brown wrapper was oily and alluring, but gave to the touch. The Diploma size can be under-filled at times.
It began smooth and leathery with a rich tobacco core. But it didn’t have any of that Camacho “punch”.
But as soon as I got to the middle, wham-o, I’m hot with a massive amount of peppery ligero, that yes nearly took me out. This was the strongest inch or so of a cigar that I have ever smoked. And just like Kaiser Soze, “poof”, it was gone, and I then picked up lots of coffee and wood, with a bit of pepper on the finish and exhale.
The draw was easy, the burn was fairly even.
It actually made me a little light-headed, but the smoothness in the last third allowed me to recuperate for the explosive finale.
It had to be babied a bit due to the slight under-fill, but it just gave me more time to savor it. It really picked up with strong coffee, pepper and dark chocolate. I really enjoyed this cigar!
Rating: 89 (B+)
Very interesting. I love that little case but I can’t justify buying that thing myself even though I would love to have it.
oh i agree! Luckily this was a gift!
The CLE was the best stick in the case… for sure!
Not to be a stickler, but the CLE that are included in the travel case are in the 11/18 vitola, a personal favorite. That being said, although the CLE is an excellent cigar I would argue that the Triple Maduro 11/18 is the better cigar.
The CLE is a different cigar for Camacho in that it doesn’t hit you over the head with strength. Don’t get me wrong, this is by no means a mild cigar, but it is also not Camacho’s strongest.
For complexity, great burn, and incredible flavors, I have to go with the Triple Maduro. This is one of my favorite cigars, period. In fact, the Triple Maduro 4.5/50 is the cigar I chose to smoke while I took my Certified Tobacconist examination.
CLE’s are great collector’s sticks as they are only available in the Camacho Executive Travel Case that retails for around $150 and contains 4 each of the CLE, Diploma, Triple Maduro, Liberty, and 10th Anniversary.
Check Mike’s Cigars of Miami for the lowest price…
Good smokin’ and Merry Christmas everyone,
Marty K.
p.s. I am smoking a CLE, on Christmas Eve, in my garage as I write this… nice.