Had some time to kill yesterday so parked myself in a St. Louis Cigar store/lounge (imaginatively called, "St. Louis Cigar").

Thought I would try something I had never heard of before so grabbed something that looked rather interesting a "Esteban Carreras Chupachabra Habano"

This is billed as a Nicaraguan puro. I had the one with the Habano Oscuro wrapper (they have maduro as well)

Its a very nice looking cigar, dark brown, shaggy foot, twisted cap, boxed with loose leaves. Had the "siglo" size (6 x 54)

It started out wonderfully spicy/peppery and complex, but then about 1/3 got much plainer and milder, a bit nutty. Not unpleasant but not near as good as the start. Spice and strength came back a bit at the very end a bit but still nothing like the start.

Cigar lasted a very long time, most of the way through "For Your Eyes Only" that was playing on the big screen.

I have read some reviews and my experience seems to be just the opposite of all other comments that I have seen which say the cigar starts off with the milder nutty flavor then the spice and pepper build in the last 1/3.

In all, a nice smoke but way overpriced at the B&M. Anybody else ever have any of these? If so what are your thoughts? Don't know anything about this company. There were quite a few sizes and styles available, but nothing on the Mothership or sister sites that I have found.

I've had both wrappers, both are good. My local sells the "pig" perfecto vitola for $10 and the coronas for $7.

I did not think they were overpriced at $7 at B&M. I liked what I thought was the maduro although it was so dark maybe it was the oscuro. I just grabbed the darkest ones off the shelf. I think they are well built and have a lot of chocolate with a little spice.The look with the oily wrapper, pigtail and nice label are appealing.


I sent one out in the spicy unbanded cigar review pass - Shaun's review below................

[#2 5x52ish Dark maduro wrapper almost black in color with a closed foot and pigtail cap. This is a pretty familiar look to me cause I like the Kristoff liger maduro and have a few on hand but only smoking it will tell if it is indeed a Kristoff.

Starts off with a deep dark chocolate taste right away and I enjoy that taste very much. Short way in I gets notes of earth, chocolate, and just a touch of cedar. Ash is a strong white color and nice and tight with a perfect burn line. Midway through cedar takes the forefront with chocolate and earth fading to the background. I have not picked up any pepper so I am thinking this may not be a ligero. Cedar fades a little towards the end but all three flavors are noticeable still. Pretty much ends that way and I really enjoyed this cigar.

I would say this the mid-range and am definitely thinking it was a Kristoff and lean towards the maduro line since I don't think there was ligero in it.]

double post frustration!

Makes me want to go find some more after reading that review Tampa. That was actually the second one I had tried, the first if I recall correctly Jnichols gifted me. They were so far in between though I had forgotten about it. I think it was a good smoke and one I would definitely go to if I was looking for something that had some chocolate without the pepper. Then again I love most maddies so I am biased.

The one I had was $9.50 at the store. Have seen them online a lot cheaper but not at my usually web locals.

That's getting up there pricewise........maybe i should get more at the lower price I have seen. Not checked internet though.......