The San Cristobal Papagayo measures 5¾ inches long with a 55-inch ring, but you can always upgrade to the San Cristobal Papagayo XXL. A fatter smoke for those who like the larger gauge sizes, it sports a colossal 60-inch ring gauge. Created by one of the hottest names in the industry, Jose “Don” Pepin Garcia, this beefy Nicaraguan puro is one to savor when you have plenty of smoking time on your hands.
Along with Pepin’s signature dark and oily wrapper, it’s finished with an impeccably constructed Cuban-style triple cap and packed firmly with rich, perfectly aged Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. Pepin is a master at delivering bold, full-bodied, and memorably flavorful cigars, so how would this big beauty fare in our San Cristobal Papagayo XXL review?
Brand overview
Another premium brand under the Ashton Cigars headship, San Cristobal Cigars was formed in 2007. Teaming up with master blender Garcia, they’ve created some of the finest all-Nicaraguan leaf blends, combining selectively harvested Nicaraguan tobacco with Garcia’s expert knowledge and extensive Cuban tradition.
Cigar specs
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Strength: Full
- Wrapper: Nicaragua
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Sizes Available: San Cristobal Papagayo XXL (6 x 60)
Cold draw
A pleasant tobacco sweetness and touches of cedar and leather emanate from the wrapper, which pulls through into a pre-light draw full of resistance. Even though the cold draw doesn’t take my breath away, it’s sweet enough to keep things interesting.
I grabbed my trusty guillotine cutter to remove the triple cap and prepared to puff my way through this monster of a cigar.
First third
The San Cristobal Papagayo XXL started at medium strength as a deep, rich bouquet of flavors brought a new dimension to the Nicaraguan tobacco. There was a heavy woody flavor along with hits of earth, pepper, and spice. The draw is extremely snug as velvety smoke punches the air, matched by the light and creamy finish on the palate with refreshing hints of mint.
A heavy dose of cedar comes out of the woodwork as the first third draws to a close, with plenty of hotly-anticipated flavor transitions and smoke time still to enjoy.
Second third
Halfway through (around 45 minutes in), a minor explosion of black pepper sparks to the front, coating the inside of my mouth and tingling my tastebuds. Along with the spiciness of the pepper, dark flourishes of cocoa and earth are also contributing to the flavorful profile.
However, it was the surprising sweetness of black cherries and dried fruits that added a welcome change in the second third. The fruit notes and lighter hit of pepper are not what we’ve come to expect from Pepin, but the Papagayo XXL exhibits a clever balance between strength and complexity.
Final third
For a cigar of this magnitude, the burn remains impressively razor-sharp as my XXL reaches its conclusion. The sweetness has subsided, but nuances of dark chocolate, dark cherries, and walnuts still linger in the background.
Black pepper is now prominent in the retrohale, while heartier notes of cedar, cocoa, and earth ensure this slow burner’s blend of flavors is never bland or boring.
Conclusion
Don’t light the San Cristobal Papagayo XXL if you’re in a hurry. Depending on how fast you puff, you need to allow a minimum of 90 minutes smoking time for this robust and tasty stogie.
Perfect as an after-supper smoke with your favorite Tennessee Sour Mash flavored beverage, pick up a box of 21 from Cigars.com today.