Today I am going to try to get back on the review train.  I have a huge backlog of stuff to review but the subject of my magnifying glass today is the Espinosa Lounge Exclusive, Alibi (Backroom Series 2015).  Every single Espinosa cigar I have tried has been terrific.  Erik does a wonderful job coming up with new and unique blends - something I really enjoy.  The Alibi is not an easy cigar to come by.  If you have a lounge in your area, you can get them readily.  If not, you have to hunt online - which won't be easy.  So, I am pumped to smoke this thing so I will get going....

Construction: A gorgeous toothy wrapper covers this cigar.  The coloring is a deep rich brown with a few lumps and no visible seams or veins to speak of.  Very nice looking cigar - like all of Erik's products.

Pre-light Aroma and Draw: Out of the cellophane, the Alibi has a very nice aroma.  Notes of earth, brown sugar, and heavy sweet tobacco grace the nose.  A cold pull gives a nice heavy tobacco flavor and the draw is flawless.

Light and Burn: A flawless performer from start to finish.  Ash is nice and clingy with a terrific medium gray coloring.  Smoke output is insane and aromatic.

Tasting: Off the start I get a nice deep coffee note, woody spices, and a very low level pepper.  It is an exceptionally rich flavor profile so far.  A nice smooth leather shows up after a few puffs and then dark chocolate really kicks in.  The strength level and body are both pretty full.  Make sure you have food on your stomach when you smoke one of these for sure!  The balance is superb and the construction is flawless.  It's a smoke bomb too.

The middle third pumps up the coffee notes to a level that reminds me of my Grandma's coffee.  You may ask why?  Her coffee is amazing....just plain old Folger's too....but she has had 93 years to perfect making it and it is deep and rich - just like this cigar.  Now, I have said before that any cigar that can invoke such good memories gets bonus points!  A nice metallic salty note shows up accompanied by a drop in power.  We are now on the high end of medium but the body is still full.  A nice vanilla note creeps in and winds around the core, which is comprised of that terrific coffee note and a dense earth.  Simply delicious.

The final third continues the coffee and earth.  The vanilla is more pronounced here too and I get a very mild dried peach flavor in the mix as well.  It has turned very creamy smooth.  This is an absolutely killer smoke, folks.  The power does bump back up towards the end too.  To be honest it is the dense body of this cigar that will make your head spin.  If this cigar is any indication of what we are going to see from Espinosa this year, color me excited!

Value: You can only get these at Espinosa Lounges....at at $9 a stick it is perfectly priced.

Final Thoughts: This cigar achieves flawlessly where a lot of cigars fail.  It provides strength without harshness.  In fact this is one of the best full bodied cigars I can remember smoking in a while.  If these were readily available, I would smoke them daily.  Just a wonderful cigar in all categories.  Well done, Erik.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Unknown
Filler: Unknown

Strength: Full

Size: 6 x 48

Gorgeous cigar.

The band is simple and classy - well done!