In another thread I diss'ed the #21 CA cigar of 2016, the Villiger San'Doro Colorrado (blah).
Well in the same sampler box I got from the Tobacco Rep it had the Villiger San'Doro Maduro. Did not have high hopes, but needed a smoke for a long drive and this was free so, why not?
Well, I wonder now if CA got their sticks mixed up because this was a great smoke. Spicy, a bit salty,a bit peppery, great tobacco flavors and perfect burn and draw. So many maduros stick with the heavy "dark-cocoa/coffee" profile that that is all you taste. This one - despite it having some never-overpowering coffee notes throughout - is so much more complex and flavorful that I would not have even assumed was a maduro if blindfolded (I was driving, so not a good idea anyway). A good medium smoke that lasted longer than you would expect from 6 inches (I know, I know....).
Getting back home I looked it up. This is a Brazillian Puro and is not made at the same factory as the other Villiger San'Doro's. Most maduro's I have been having recently it seems are Nicaraguan Blends so that explains a lot of it. Villiger is a swiss company that was known for machine made cigars mostly in Europe but has been branching out into premium handmades for a while. They have others make many of their cigars but it seems they own the factory that makes this one themselves.
Villiger has recently done a reorganization of their North American operations and has been trying to rebuild relationships with a lot of people at the trade shows which explains the free sampler box!
Have not seen this one on cbid or the Mothership yet, but I hope to soon.
