Herrera Estelí Norteño Edicion Limitada 2015

Last year at IPCPR, Herrera Estelí released their first limited edition cigar with the Herrera Estelí Edition Limitada Lancero. It was widely regarded as one of the best cigars of the year and now is nearly impossible to find. Also released last year was a completely new Herrera blend—the Norteño (going on to receive the #4 Cigar of the Year from Cigar Dojo), and this year the Norteño is getting its own “Edition Limitada”, which is sure to sell like hot cakes.

As with last year’s limited Herrera cigar, the Norteño Churchill features the same blending stats as the core line cigars, only tweaking a few leafs/proportions to accommodate the ideal smoking experience for this vitola.

SEE ALSO: Herrera Estelí Norteño toro cigar review

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Norteño Edicion Limitada Breakdown

This is a really cool size and shape of a cigar, as I rarely see a box-pressed Churchill—it is actually more of a rectangular press, having a very unique, flattened look to it. The wrapper and construction looks similar to a normal Norteño but with additional length, unique press, and an added sub-band reading “Edicion Limitada”. The cigar smells of cedar and rich, deep soil.

On first light, there is a silky smooth texture with a sweet, charred oak flavor. The retrohale is just ridiculous—I get buttery leather… The draw is effortless and the burn is solid. I am pairing this with a soymilk cappuccino from Pablo’s coffee in Denver. The sweetness of the cappuccino and the deceptive strength of the cigar really play well together.

I am really enjoying this size/shape combo, this is the best Churchill I’ve had in ages and maybe the best I’ve ever had. The flavor progression is gradual, as the cigar slowly and evenly burns to the second third. I get a similar leather note from before, but it is richer and more in the forefront of the palate. It’s hard not to compare this to last year’s Lancero, because of its prestigious reputation, and let me tell you—this cigar holds its own on every account. It is less delicate, definitely, but it is also more strong, up front and approachable.

After about 50 minutes, the cigar starts quickly changing, the smoke just pours out and the strength increases. I get hazelnut and thyme on the retrohale. If this cigar was a woman, I would propose! As I near the band, I get a bit of a wonky burn, but it seems to self-correct shortly thereafter.

Would I smoke this again?

I think I could smoke 5 of these in a weekend and then grab another on Monday. This is one of those cigars that hooks you from the first puff


 and continues to evolve and develop ’til the last—much more complex than I’d anticipated. A vast improvement on the already-tasty core line of Norteño cigars.

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