Description

Vegafina Gran Reserva 2020

For the third year in a row, Tabacalera Tabacalera S.L.U. will release a VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020, though this year it will be thinner. The VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 is a 6 1/7 (156mm) x 50 toro that uses a Nicaraguan habano 2000 wrapper over a Nicaraguan habano binder and Dominican pilotico and piloto fillers. The company says the tobacco has been aged for at least five years.

The Gran Reserva concept is something that is best known for being in the Habanos S.A. portfolio. It involves aged tobaccos for more extended periods. The VegaFina Gran Reserva 2019 utilizes that same concept. Keeping to the tradition of the Gran Reserva having extra-aged tobaccos, all of the tobaccos on the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 have been aged for five years.

Cohiba Talisman EL 2017 Appearance

The Nicaraguan wrapper of the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 has a medium-brown color with a strong Colorado reddish tint to it. Upon closer examination, there is some mottling present on the surface. The wrapper has a light sheen of oil on it. This is a wrapper that is slightly toothy with some visible veins and some visible wrapper seams.

The upper part of the band of the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 is black with silver trim. The center of the band has a black circular field with silver trim. On the field are the lettering “VF” in large red font on it. There are some silver adornments surrounding the circular field. The left and right sides of this upper portion of the band have the text “VEGAFINA” in silver font. Meanwhile, the lower part of the band has an appearance of a pseudo-secondary band. This section is red with silver trim on the lower portion and black trim bordering the upper portion. On the red background is the text “GRAN RESERVA 2020” in white font.

Vegafina Gran Reserva 2020 Pre-Light Draw

A straight cut is used to remove the cap of the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020. Once the cap is removed, it is on to the pre-light draw phase. The cold draw delivers notes of cocoa, classic wood, and must. Overall this is a satisfactory pre-light draw experience. At this point, it is time to toast up the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 and see what the smoking phase would have in store.

Vegafina Gran Reserva 2020 Flavour

The VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 starts out with notes of musty natural tobacco, cocoa, citrus, and black pepper. While musty notes might not seem exciting, in the case of the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020, they worked quite effectively. Early on the cocoa notes move to the forefront with the musty notes a close secondary note while the citrus and black pepper notes are further back. There is an additional layer of black pepper present on the retro-hale.

Later in the first third, the musty notes increase and move toward the forefront. Before reaching the midway point, the musty notes join the cocoa in the forefront. It is during the second third that the pepper notes also start to increase.

By the last third, the musty natural tobacco notes are the primary note with the pepper now much closer to the forefront. There are still notes of citrus and cocoa present. This is the way the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 comes to a close. The resulting nub is slightly soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Vegafina Gran Reserva 2020 Burn

While the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 maintains a relatively straight burn path, there is some jaggedness several times on the burn line that requires touch-ups. There is a slightly above normal number of touch-ups required. The resulting ash is mostly silver-gray. This is an ash that is skewed toward the firmer side. The burn rate and burn temperature are ideal.

Vegafina Gran Reserva 2020 Draw

The draw of the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 is on the snug side from time to time. Normally there are points where there is more resistance. The cigar never goes out, nor is it ever at a plugged state. However, there are points this draw requires more work than normal.

Vegafina Gran Reserva 2020 Strength and Body

While VegaFina is certainly known for its milder offerings, the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 is relatively bolder than what used to be from VegaFina. This is a cigar that is medium in strength and medium in the body from start to finish. There is a slight amount of variance in the intensity levels, but in the end, this cigar stays in the medium range.

Final Thoughts about Vegafina Gran Reserva 2020

Overall, the VegaFina Gran Reserva 2020 series has been one that has been satisfying. One thing that VegaFina is the brand is expanding its horizons and becoming a brand that can appeal to a wider range of cigar enthusiasts. The recently release VegaFina Fortaleza 2 Andullo is a good example of this – and the Gran Reserva cigars have been another one.

The Gran Reserva 2020 is not a cigar that’s for everyone, but it is a solid cigar – and not something that is cookie cutter. It’s a cigar could recommend to any cigar enthusiast – especially one looking to get out of one’s comfort zone. It is limited to 7,560 boxes of 10 cigars. You can buy this at Stogies & More.