This cigar review of the Cabaiguan Belicoso Finos is part of a series of reviews on the Top Ten Made in the USA cigars of 2006 For more information, and for more reviews of premium cigars from around the world, check the Cigar Review archive.

The Cabaiguan cigars (pronounced kah-bei-GWAHN) are as new as the La Gloria Cubana cigars are old. They are the latest release from Pete Johnson, creator of the Tatuaje cigar line.

(Latest, that is, until the debut of Johnson’s soon-to-be-released Havana VI and Series P. lines that will be more modestly priced. More on that story soon.)

Where the Tatuaje is reminiscent of a full-bodied, full-flavored, Cuban powerhouse of days gone by, the Cabaiguan is the counterpart of a medium-bodied, full-flavored, sophisticated Habano.

Like the Tatuaje, the Cabaiguan is a creation of master blender Jose “Pepin” Garcia and are rolled at his El Rey de Los Habanos factory in the Little Havana district of Miami. The name Cabaiguan comes from Don Pepin’s hometown in Cuba.

The Cabaiguan has a binder and filler of Nicaraguan tobacco, but Garcia combines it here with an Ecuadoran-grown Connecticut Shade wrapper. The combination is very, very good. The Ecuadoran wrapper has enough flavor that it isn’t overwhelmed by the binder and filler, but instead blends in well and gentles the smoke.

These cigars are rolled Cuban-style, with a beautiful triple cap, and the cigars coming from Don Pepin’s factory look so good you might think that they are illegal.

They are not, fortunately.

Any of the Cabaiguan cigars are good, and all of them are expensive. Because of that fact, and because there is so little difference in price between the available vitolas, I would recommend that you go for what I believe is the top of the line and sample the Cabaiguan Belicoso Finos.

The Belicoso Finos is a 5 1/2 inch by 52 ring figurado. It is a medium-bodied, full-flavored cigar of amazing complexity. If you like sophisticated smokes with subtle flavors…you are going to love the Cabaiguan Belicoso Finos.

This cigar is very earthy, yet very refined at the same time. There are leathery tones, especially at the beginning. It is also incredibly creamy, sweet, and nutty. There is a constant, undefinable spice undertone that ebbs and flows and prevents the Cabaiguan from being a bland or boring smoke. The flavor profile is ideally suited as an afternoon or before-dinner smoke, as is the strength.

This is another very good cigar from Don Pepin Garcia, and completely different from the Tatuaje. What the Cabaiguan and the Tatuaje share, however, is a strong resemblance to two distinct types of excellent pre-embargo Cuban cigars.

Don Pepin has done it again. Pete Johnson has another winner on his hands.

These are not easy cigars to find. Check the retailer map on Pete’s website to find a dealer close to you.

Not many places have them online yet, and the lowest price I have seen them offered at is US $179.95 per box of 24 ($7.50 each) at Tower Pipes and Cigars. However, as I write this Tower is sold out of boxes — but you can buy individual cigars from them for $10.00 each.

Corona Cigar has them by the box for $190.00 (in stock at the moment — $7.92 each), and Two Guys Smoke Shop is selling them for $209.99 per box, and $9.99 each. As you can see, prices on these vary widely because they are in short supply, and word of mouth has made them very much in demand.

Try one. You will see why.