Artesano Del Tobacco Viva La Vida Club 500
Club 500 pays tribute to the first 500 cigar lounges that supported Viva La Vida, the brand created by brothers Billy and Gus Fakih, former retailers from Michigan who have now become producers with Artesano Del Tobacco. It is rolled by AJ Fernandez in Estelí: a Nicaraguan puro, with a habano oscuro wrapper that has undergone a special fermentation process, a Corojo 99 binder and a Criollo 98 filler. A pressed gran toro, measuring 15.2 cm with a ring gauge of 60.
The dark, velvety wrapper, with reddish highlights, hints at a dense, generous smoke: dark chocolate, coffee, leather and warm spices, with a hint of sweetness that returns on the finish. The box press makes it comfortable to hold despite the large ring gauge. Allow an hour and a half.
Tasting menu
Pairing
A bourbon complements its chocolatey richness; in the early afternoon, a black coffee is just the ticket.
Momentum
A long evening at the weekend, when there’s no rush: this format is best savoured slowly.
About Artesano Del Tobacco
Artesano Del Tobacco is the brainchild of brothers Billy and Gus Fakih, two former cigar retailers from Michigan who have switched sides to become cigar makers. Their cigars, led by Viva La Vida and its masked jester, are rolled in Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez, in Estelí.
