Espinosa Limited Editions Wasabi was first introduced in 2016 exclusive to Espinosa lounges across the US, as part of the brand's Backroom Series. In April 2018, a limited production run of 5,000 sticks went on more general release.
In this Espinosa Limited Editions Wasabi review we'll take a look at the flavor profile of one of the most popular and successful Backroom Series cigars, or to get up close with Espinosa Wasabi yourself, watch our video review.
What you need to know about Espinosa
Orestes 'Erik' Espinosa was born in Havana but moved to Miami with his family aged just three months. In December 2011 he founded Espinosa Premium Cigars and in early 2021, opened his La Zona factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. The self-owned factory allows Espinosa to experiment and produce cigars his own way, a theme that's apparent throughout the brand's creations.
Espinosa Limited Editions are limited production runs of some of the finest Espinosa cigars, giving a short-lived opportunity to experience smokes that may previously have only been available as exclusives under the Backroom Series label.
What to expect from the Wasabi
Espinosa Limited Editions Wasabi has a distinctive appearance, with its Far East-inspired logo and band, Ecuadorian Habano Candela wrapper, and contrasting Habano leaf cap.
Medium body and medium-full strength unfold over the course of a flowing flavor profile with spices, sweetness, grassy Candela tobacco, and all good things, plus peppery retro-hale that bring a little of the heat implied by the name.
Espinosa Wasabi is available in boxes of 10 in two vitolas: the 5 x 46 Espinosa Wasabi Corona Candela and the 5 x 52 Espinosa Wasabi Robusto Candela. Eye-catching in your humidor, affordable in price, and highly enjoyable to smoke, this stick is a worthy purchase for Espinosa aficionados or anyone seeking a new and unique cigar experience.
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Factory: La Zona, Esteli
- Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Sizes available:
- Espinosa Wasabi Corona Candela (5 x 46)
- Espinosa Wasabi Robusto Candela (5 x 52)
Thoughts on the cold draw
The Espinosa Wasabi offers an excellent cold draw not to be missed. For the full experience, make sure to leave a little of the triple cap Habano tobacco behind. Aromas to look out for here include creamy coffee and herbal spices, with hints of grass and lemon on the nose.
Flavors I enjoyed
Espinosa Wasabi is a genuinely enjoyable cigar, with a flavor profile that flows throughout. It's worth noting that Wasabi is just a name. Although there are hints of pepper, there is no overpowering horseradish flavor, as some people feared when this cigar first launched.
First third
After lighting up Espinosa Wasabi, you can expect a continuation of the coffee and cream flavors from the cold draw. There's also white pepper, which is stronger on the retro-hale but again, not anywhere close to the harshness of a full wasabi kick.
Second third
Continuing on, and the grassy flavor of the Candela tobacco begins to show through more and more. The pepper reaches its height during this middle third, giving Wasabi a pleasing balance between sweetness and spice.
Final third
In the final third, the spice notes become more complex, with clove and cardamom among the tastes to look out for. A slight touch-up may be needed to see this stick through to its end, but overall the burn is good, straight, and perfectly paced.
My thoughts on the strength
Espinosa Limited Editions Wasabi is a medium body cigar with medium-full strength, and this peaks in the middle third as those pepper spices come through the strongest. Overall the flavors flow smoothly from third to third and there's no abrupt shift in strength at any point. For more of a kick, savor those retro-hale, as they carry much of the pepper spice too.
In conclusion
What more is there to say in this Espinosa cigars review? Erik Espinosa has delivered a cigar with plenty of character, without just piling on the pepper to justify the name.
Espinosa Limited Editions Wasabi has enough heat and spice to cash the check its label writes, especially if you let the retro-hale linger a little longer, but the flavors are smooth and pleasant the whole way through, with a crescendo of cabinet spices that will last long in the memory.
Espinosa Limited Editions cigars sell fast, so don't miss out on this opportunity. As the heat of wasabi itself, this is a cigar that will burn brightly but briefly, so get your hands on a box of 10 before Espinosa Wasabi's light goes out for good.