The Gispert Intenso is a unique collaboration between the Grupo de Maestros of the renowned Altadis U.S.A factory and the legendary cigar blender AJ Fernandez. A dark, full-bodied alternative to the Gispert original, it features a deep chestnut brown and oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper that’s met with hearty Nicaraguan and Dominican filler tobacco.
Akin to a roaring fire, the band has a black and copper color combination that’s lit up with the Intenso name. Meaning “intense” in Spanish, it offers a fiery glimpse into this stogie’s potency.
Read on for our Gispert Intenso review to see if and how it differed from the original.
Brand Overview
Originally a Cuban brand of cigars, Gispert smokes are a favorite for cigar connoisseurs looking for a premium cigar that doesn’t break the bank.
Now produced by industry giant Altadis S.A. in Honduras, they join other popular blends operating out of the La Flor de Copan Cigar Factory, including Sant Luis Rey and Yargüera.
Whereas the original Gispert blend was manufactured in Honduras to honor the cigar’s light profile for which it had become known, the Intenso is the first Gispert cigar to be rolled exclusively in Nicaragua.
Cigar Specs
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Strength: Full
- Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Dominican Republic/Nicaragua
- Sizes Available:
Cold draw
The Gispert Intenso is packed solid and firm. It’s a gorgeous-looking cigar and it’s just as satisfying when I’m nosing the wrapper. There’s damp earth and barnyard, while the foot gave a fairly intense hit of white pepper.
Without hesitation, I proceeded with the pre-light draw. Mouthwatering flavors of milk chocolate, earth, and cedar rained down on my palate. A mild spiciness also brushed my lips, meaning the time had come to intensify my Intenso experience.
Flavor profile: first third
No sooner after I’d toasted the foot, a wave of spice, cinnamon, black pepper, and roasted espresso flavors came to greet me. Through the nose, there was a lovely balance of white pepper and cedar that burned through and ended up turning into a sweet bready note on the retrohale. Although unexpected, it was certainly a pleasant surprise.
The stick was already in full force, showcasing its power and strength, particularly with the spicier elements of the profile.
Flavor profile: second third
The full and heavy flavors didn’t stop for breath, with black pepper, espresso, and mixed nuts coating my mouth. At half an inch in, a divine richness started to develop, which I’d describe as earth with dirt and mineral qualities.
Even though the earth started to dominate the profile through the latter stages of the third, a deeper creamed sweetness also emerged in the finish to counteract it. This came in the form of delectable chocolate notes and dusty cocoa, although there was still a touch of black pepper from time to time to challenge my taste buds.
The draw remained effortless as I moved into the cigar’s swansong.
Flavor profile: final third
The pepper spiciness was once again in the mix, with dark wood and bitter chocolate playing supporting roles. Even though the richness had faded, the intense creaminess had been turned up a notch with flurries of cinnamon and creamy nuts, while a terrific mocha note blasted through on the inhale.
Sometimes peppery smokes can get bitter towards the end, but the Gispert Intenso never did. The final third certainly delivers what this cigar set out to be — a full-bodied, creamy smoke that’s perfect after dinner with a cup of coffee.
Conclusion
Living up to the hype, this is another project involving AJ Fernandez that doesn’t disappoint. Even though I felt the strength from the word go, it never got out of hand while still kicking my senses.
Coming in at just over $6.25 a stick for a box of 20, you can enjoy a full-bodied cigar that’s not overbearing at a fantastic price. The Intenso met my expectations and is one to bookmark as a great everyday cigar.