Background

The My Father Le Bijou 1922 Cervantes is an exclusive release for Federal Cigars in New Hampshire which is celebrating their 91st Anniversary this year. This 6.5 x 42 Lonsdale is available in either a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro and a Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper. Both cigars are very limited with only 200 boxes of the Maduro and 50 boxes of Connecticut Shade available. The Shade grown is available for in store purchase only but the Maduro’s can still be purchased online here. Both versions of this cigar are available in 23 count boxes and retail for $184.00 a box.

Today I am smoking the Connecticut Shade which was gifted to us by Federal Cigar in NH. Much thanks to them for their generosity. It’s been a long week, so let get to burning!

Stogie Stats

Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium
Vitola: Lonsdale
Size: 6.5 x 42
Age: N/A
MSRP: $8.00 (Boxes of 23, $184.00)

Review

Visually this this cigar is striking. Wrapped in a "Federal 91st" stamped cedar sheath and ordained with two bands, this cigar is classy looking. Once the cedar is removed, I find a perfectly constructed stick with no soft spots and a beautiful Colorado claro colored wrapper. There are a few medium sized veins, a nicely done triple cap, and the wrapper has a refreshing aroma with just a faint amount of spice.

Once fired up, I am taken back with a blast of pepper. While I am no stranger to the Pepin’s signature pepper opening, I am still caught off guard by the intensity of the black pepper on the back of my throat. After the first quarter of an inch, the pepper settles down and I am treated to a fantastic mix of roasted nuts and butterscotch. The finish is smooth and buttery and flavors are well balanced. The burn and draw thus far are spot on and the ash falls a little after the one inch mark. I am already convinced this is probably the most delicious stick I have enjoyed all week.

The second third begins with a transition in the flavor profile. By the halfway mark the roasted nuts and butterscotch are gone and I am treated to a nice mix of cedar and some spice. I am bit sad to see the butterscotch go but I am enjoying the ride. The cigar is medium in both body and strength thus far. Burn and draw remain spot on.

The last third transitions again with the reappearance of some pepper. The body has moved more to the medium/full spectrum but the strength is still a solid medium. The finish is noticeably longer now too. No issues with burn and draw, I nub this cigar in about 70 minutes. The nub is cool and firm.

Conclusion

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Federal Cigar 91st Cervantes CT is a fantastic smoke in both flavor and performance. At $8.00 a stick, it is frankly a steal too. Thus far it is the best smoke I have had all week. In conclusion, I am going to give this cigar a Stogie Geeks Rating of "Box Worthy". That is of course there is any of the fifty boxes remaining. I am looking forward to trying the Maduro in the next few days and will report back post.