The Herrera Esteli Habano was Willy Herrera’s first release at Drew Estate, and the one that he had to have known would help him make his mark. Everything was riding on that first blend, which would make or break him. A flop might have put him on track for obscurity. Suffice to say, however, he nailed it! With a 94 rating and the honor of being Cigar Aficionado’s #8 Cigar of 2013, the Herrera Esteli cigar line was launched not like a canoe sliding into the water, but more like a firework being sent up into the summer night sky to explode and dazzle the crowd.
Here we are, still reeling. This is an excellent smoke.
Mr. Herrera was brought into Drew Estate with the mandate of making any blend he could dream up, so long as it was excellent. The tobacco vaults were wide open to him. The real problem was making selections. He was also known for having a heavy Cubanesque style, so smokers were expecting to get a stick that’s close to those from one of the original motherland. After extensive experimentation and testing, he found a blend that was undeniably great. Through confirmation with his fellow smoke hounds at the company, he knew he had put together a smoke that would finally bear his name.
Back then, it was just called the “Herrera Esteli.” Now it’s called the Herrera Esteli Habano, as other fantastic blends have joined the sub-label.
For the cigar itself, Nicaraguan filler inside is bunched up using the entubado method so popular in Cuba. Then there’s a Honduran leaf for the binder, and after that comes the piece de resistance, a lavish Ecuador Habano wrapper that was chosen with perfect taste. The resulting medium to full-bodied smoke is balanced and interesting, showing notes of white pepper, earth, cedar, and sweet cream. Then there’s the finish, which plays out like the final notes of an exquisite solo. There’s no doubt: Willy Herrera is a master blender, and this is one of his first masterpieces. From now on, whatever he puts out, we’re lighting up at least once.
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