Ora Vivo Armand Assante European Edition Genios

Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Genios: 5 1/2 x 52
Price: n/a

This cigar was assessed in depth on Cigar Coop.

The Ora Vivo line is a collaboration done with Victor Vitale, Gary Macchione, and film actor Armand Assante. Vitale talked about the Ora Vivo project in January on Stogie Geeks. It was originally launched in four sizes for the U.S. market. Four additional sizes were added for the European market late last year. The U.S. sizes were skewed more toward larger ring gauges, while the European sizes were more classic. The Genios is a robusto-sized vitola. Word is the European sizes will be made available to the American market at the 2014 IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas.

I really liked the Ora Vivo line in the American sizes, but this European size has all of the potential to be the Belle of the Ball. This cigar has a wonderful Nicaraguan profile of white pepper, natural tobacco, toasted nut, and cedar. This is also a little bit of that “Nicaraguan twang” from the spices. Ora Vivo is not a powerhouse. It’s medium strength and medium-bodied – and that suits this flavor profile just fine.

Overall this is an outstanding cigar. It’s one of the best under Vitale’s lines and it is worth a box purchase in my book.