2011 was a breakout year for a few brands, one of which had to have been Curivari. Much like EloGio, IPCPR 2011 seemed like a breakout event for the small Nicaraguan brand.

Curivari’s strategy isn’t a new one. The idea behind the brand is to make non-Cuban cigars that taste like current Cuban cigars. While the strategy is thrown around quite frequently, Curivari has taken it a bit further by making specific lines to taste like a specific Cuban counterpart. In addition, Curivari’s bands look quite similar to those lines which it tries to replicate.

For example, the El Gran Rey is made to replicate the Hoyo de Monterrey profile, Gloria de Leon is blended to tastes like Romeo y Julieta, etc.

At IPCPR 2010, Curivari announced a new line, Selección Privada. While the bands mimic that of Partagás, the line was the first Maduro for Curivari outside of Reserva Limitada. While the line was introduced two years ago, Curivari added additional sizes at IPCPR 2011 which retailers didn’t report receiving the line until November of 2011.

Cigar Reviewed: Curivari Selección Privada Eminentes

Curivari Selección Privada Eminentes Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Nicaragua Factory: Tabacalera de Nicaragua S.A.

Tabacalera de Nicaragua S.A. Wrapper: Nicaragua

Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua

Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua

Nicaragua Size: 5 1/2 Inches

5 1/2 Inches Ring Gauge: 52

52 Vitola: Robusto Extra

Robusto Extra MSRP: $ 7 (Boxes of 10, $70)

$ Release Date: November 2011

Number of Cigars Released: Regular Production

Number of Cigars Smoked for Review: 2

The Curivari’s wrapper is a beautiful dark color, not as dark or deep as the Reserva Limitada 1000, but still quite dark. To be quite honest, this is not a shining example of Curivaris ability to roll cigar. It’s not an ugly cigar or concerning, but definitely their best work. Aroma is dark leather, earth and some sweet cocoa from the Nicaraguan wrapper. The foot exhibits nuts, earth and a very sweet faint hickory note. Cold draw is a bit surprising: dry nuts and earth, medium and dull.

Fortunately, the first third starts a lot better than the cold draw: sweet cocoa, earth, cedar and a bit of chocolate cake. That hickory note returns on the finish, which also sees a bit of pepper mid-tongue. Unfortunately, the first third settles to be a bit harsh. The core of the Curivari Selección Privada is an earthy cocoa, cedar up front and the familiar pepper on the finish. Smoke production is good, but draw is a bit open.

The second third really just seems to confirm what took place in the first third. A bit less harsh in terms of the cocoa, but the reality is the Selección Privada is no more complex a few inches later. The hickory moves up front merging with the cedar and the pepper strengthens, but the changes are subtle. Construction remains much the same: good smoke production, okay draw and a spot on burn.

Into the final third and it’s clear things are changing. There’s caramel and a nuttiness that really wasn’t anywhere to be found in the first portions of the cigar. The Curivari gets a bit more complex, but with an inch and a half left, it seems like the bottom falls out. It continues to burn fine right down to the nub, but there really doesn’t seem much of anything to be burning.

Final Notes

This is the least-Curivari Curivari. It doesn’t taste like most Curivaris, it doesn’t look like a Curivari, see below for more on this.

The Curivari website lists three sizes of Selección Privada (Diplomaticos, Robustos, Royales), which leaves out at least four sizes: Diplomaticos, Eminentes, Fabulosos and Magnificos.

Curivari only offers ten count boxes, which I think is a really good idea. Combine that with the lower prices, box MSRPs looks more like closeout pricing.

Strength is medium, body is medium plus.

For retailers, Curivari is sort of the mysterious brand of the industry. They don’t fulfill orders completely, they ship sporadically and are nearly impossible to get in contact with.

Given the success at IPCPR, I was very intrigued to see what Curivari’s recent shipments have produced. I’ve smoked a few new El Gran Reys and it would seem that the increase in orders hasn’t affected quality of that line.

Construction gets decent marks: draw is a bit loose, smoke production is above average and burn is great.

The Eminentes is not a cigar that will let you sit on it for two minutes, if you don’t draw consistently, the cigar appears to go.

Final smoking time was one hour 40 minutes.

If you would like to order the Curivari Selección Privada Eminentes site sponsors Casa de Montecristo (630.834.7777) and Atlantic Cigar have them available.