Meerapfel La Estancia Édition Exclusiva 50
La Estancia Édition Exclusiva is, above all, a family story. Jeremiah Meerapfel pays tribute to his grandfather Heller, one of the leading Cuban tobacco merchants of the post-revolution era, and attempts to revive an aromatic profile that disappeared from the market in 1991, a creamy, cappuccino-like signature that has remained etched in his childhood memory. The challenge: to recreate it using tobaccos that had ceased to exist as early as 1992. Made in Honduras using the Meerapfel family’s stock of tobaccos, this cigar is then aged in Belgium, in a cedar cabinet, in keeping with Cuban tradition.
Tasting menu
As soon as it is lit, the cigar opens with a hint of pepper, which quickly gives way to woody notes. The first third then evolves into a floral note, before rounding off with a sweet, nougat-like finish.
This Robusto delivers on the brand’s promise: a generous, dense smoke from start to finish, built on a interplay of contrasts between smoothness and woodiness. It features the creamy, smooth character described by Meerapfel, enhanced by a hint of bitterness reminiscent of hazelnut skin and a few bursts of black pepper that punctuate the smoking experience.
In the second half of the cigar, a subtle contrast emerges: hints of pepper appear here and there, discreetly cutting through the sweetness, whilst the body becomes warmer without ever becoming harsh. The smoke, meanwhile, remains dense and generous throughout.
Agreement
With its cream and nougat notes and a hint of hazelnut, this cigar naturally calls for a strong coffee or a cappuccino – a lovely nod to the blend’s inspiration. It’s also worth trying with an amber rum or a hazelnut liqueur to extend that same flavour profile.
A cigar-related anecdote
‘Those who know, know,’ according to Jeremiah Meerapfel, referring to the tobacco that disappeared in 1991 and inspired La Estancia Édition Exclusiva.
