Right from the very first puffs, the Limited Edition 1795 Flor de Copan makes a good impression. Thick smoke rises before me; it does not dissipate immediately, but slowly and steadily disperses throughout the room. I take the time to observe the cigar at my leisure, whilst savouring the first impressions on my tongue.

Observed during the tasting

• Smoke pattern: Dense; does not dissolve too quickly.
• Balance: Slightly peppery, with subtle bitter and umami notes; even less acidity; slightly salty; slightly sweet.
• Development: A slight tingling sensation on the tongue; first half: umami and a slight peppery note are clearly noticeable, bitterness less so, acidity even less so, saltiness disappears, a hint of sweetness emerges; Second half: the pepper remains unchanged, slightly more umami, bitterness is slightly perceptible, acidity, saltiness and sweetness are subtle in the background; plenty of pepper on the retronasal note, the aroma is generally more intense.
• Strength: 1st half: 1/5; 2nd half: 3/5.
• Design: Optimal draw (cut flat), well rolled, ash stable and compact, smoulders for over 4 minutes with a break of approx. 14 minutes and 40 seconds.
• Burn-up: 1st half: straight burn, narrow burnt edge; 2nd half: as in the first half; after the first ash removal, the burn became uneven and was corrected with fire, after which it continued to burn straight until the end, following each ash removal.

At a glance

• Brand: Limited Edition 1795 Flor de Copán
• Edition: Limited Edition 1795
• Vitola (format): Cervantes
• Length and diameter: Length 15.7 cm / Ring size 42
• Origin: Honduras
• Cover sheet: Ecuador
• Cover: Nicaragua
• Insert: Honduras, Nicaragua
• Strength: 1/5 to 3/5

Smoke pattern – How does the smoke behave?

From the very first puffs, thick smoke fills the room; it dissipates slowly and does not blow away too quickly. Throughout the entire smoking session, I notice a dense texture in the mouth. The ash remains stable and compact, and after a break of over four minutes, the cigar continues to smoulder for a measured time of around 4 minutes 40 seconds without going out. It finally burns out at around 5 minutes.

Why does the cigar behave like this?

The density of the smoke can be influenced by factors such as the density of the tobacco, its moisture content, the way it is rolled and the rhythm of the puffs.

Balance – How harmonious is the blend?

As I smoke it, I detect a balanced interplay of the basic flavours. The Limited Edition 1795 Flor de Copan is slightly peppery, accompanied by subtle bitter and umami notes. A delicate acidity recedes, whilst the cigar comes across as slightly salty and slightly sweet. On the retro-nasal palate, I detect a lot of pepper.

Why does the cigar behave like this?

The balance of a cigar is determined by the interplay of tobacco selection, leaf positions, degrees of fermentation, proportions, construction and ageing.

What is umami?

In ‘Tasting Notes’, the term Umami used to describe a subtle, savoury and mouth-watering depth in the smoke. Unlike distinct flavours such as spiciness or sweetness, umami creates a balanced, rich and long-lasting flavour sensation on the tongue and in the finish.

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Development – Is the cigar changing?

On the tongue, I initially feel a slight tingling sensation (peppery). In the first half, umami and a slight peppery note are clearly noticeable, whilst bitterness and acidity are more subtle and saltiness fades, complemented by a hint of sweetness. In the second half, the peppery note remains unchanged; the umami increases slightly; bitterness and acidity are faintly perceptible; saltiness and sweetness are subtly present in the background; and the overall flavour becomes more intense.

Why does the cigar behave like this?

Changes in the smoking experience can be influenced by the advancing position of the embers, changes in temperature, the pace of smoking, the cigar becoming shorter, and the concentration of smoke.

Strength – How does strength develop?

The perceived nicotine strength changes noticeably as the tasting progresses. In the first half, I rate the strength as 1/5, whilst in the second half it rises to 3/5.

Why does the cigar behave like this?

The perceived strength is generally influenced by the nicotine concentration in the tobacco, the combustion temperature and the individual’s smoking habits.

Construction and burn – How clean is the cigar?

After a flat cut, I notice optimal draw resistance from a very well-rolled cigar. In the first half, the Limited Edition 1795 Flor de Copan burns straight with a thin burn line. After the first ash shake in the second half, the burn becomes uneven, which I have to correct with a lighter; after that, it burns perfectly straight again until the end following each ash shake. The ash remains stable and compact.

Why does the cigar behave like this?

The construction and burn are influenced by the careful rolling, the even distribution of tobacco, unobstructed airways, the moisture content and the draw rhythm.

The effects of fermentation and ageing

With regard to fermentation and ageing, this tasting notes the country of origin – Honduras – and the tobaccos used. I do not know how long the tobacco has been aged. It is also customary for this brand to feature a cedarwood wrapper that covers part of the cigar.

Why does the cigar behave like this?

Fermentation takes place before rolling, whilst slow maturation processes may occur after rolling.

Conclusion

The Limited Edition 1795 Flor de Copan, in the Cervantes format, is a very solid and well-crafted cigar with an excellent draw. During the tasting, I experience a transition from a mild opening phase with a strength of 1/5 to a richer aroma and a nicotine strength of 3/5 in the second half. After a minor adjustment, the burn remains reliably straight, and the compact ash highlights the cigar’s sturdy construction. An interesting profile with subtle sweetness, delicate umami and a distinct retronasal note of pepper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Further reading

• Observe cigars rather than judge them – How to understand cigars better

Sources and background information

This article is based on my tasting of the cigar described, drawing on my own experience as a cigar connoisseur since 1996, as well as on specialist literature on tobacco, fermentation, ageing and the physical processes that occur during smoking. In addition, recent scientific publications on tobacco fermentation and on heat and mass transfer in tobacco have been taken into account.

• Hu, W. et al. (2022): Study on the chemical compositions and microbial communities of cigar tobacco leaves fermented with an exogenous additive. Scientific Reports. → Fermentation, chemical changes and microbial processes in cigar tobacco.  
• (2023) Study on the correlation between the dominant microflora and the main flavour compounds in the fermentation process of cigar tobacco leaves → Investigates the relationships between dominant microorganisms and key chemical indicators.

Photos

• Vasilij Ratej

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