The Premium Cigar segment of Nat Sherman took on a massive re-branding effort last year. As a part of that strategy, the company changed the line called 1930 to Epoca Reserva. It is the same cigar in every way, but the new name is meant to be more cohesive with the rest of the overall look and feel of the brand. Since launching a handful of years ago, it has become a solid performer for Nat Sherman, and this new look seems to elevate the line to a more exclusive place on the shelf.
In addition to the Corona Grande reviewed here, the Nat Sherman Epoca Reserva is also available in a 5.25 x 54 Robusto, 5.5 x 42 Corona, 4.5 x 52 Rothschild, 7 x 56 Immenso, and 8 x 38 Super Lancero.
Nat Sherman Epoca Reserva Corona Grande
MSRP: $10.30
Size: 6 x 46
Origin: Quesada Cigars S.A. (Dominican Republic)
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Nicaragua and Dominican Republic
Prologue
The cigar has a nice medium brown wrapper with a few hints of orange in the coloration. It is beautifully rolled with a nice sheen of oil on the surface. That wrapper has some mild aromas of leather and cedar, and the foot has some notes of dry hay and vanilla. The cold draw is open and has more of that vanilla and barely a touch of pepper.
Act I
I get some nice richness right away, with some cream and roasted nuts. As it begins to warm, the aroma of cedar comes in, along with some sweetness and a little mild black pepper. The retrohale seems to have a kind of sweet/sour thing that reminds me of oranges and a little mulling spice hidden in there.
Act II
In the middle of the cigar, some darker notes come in but the overall profile is still rich and has a deep texture to it. I notice some things in the aroma that reminded me of a very dark roast coffee, and maybe some mineral dryness. That coffee actually goes well with the creamy richness from before, along with some more spice presence on the palate. The retrohale is largely the same at this point.
Act III
I do notice a little shift as this cigar closes out, but it has been mostly consistent. I get some toasted wood along with a caramel-like sweetness. Also some black pepper in the nose and just a tiny bit of dark cocoa. The citrus notes from earlier are barely present on the palate but still show up on the retrohale, along with a nice final kick of spice.
Epilogue
Truth be told, this is a cigar that I have been enjoying for years. It goes to show how the mind can play tricks on the palate. I knew it was the same cigar as the 1930, but something about that new Epoca Reserva moniker made it almost like a new experience. The cigar has a richness and a depth that is rare from so much Dominican tobacco. As mild as it is on the strength scale, it still has accessible flavors that are interesting, and it is pleasing to smoke. The price point seems just a touch high compared to similar offerings, but something about the blend is beyond the sum of it’s parts. I will continue to enjoy this one as long as it stays on the market.
Nat Sherman Epoca Reserva Corona Grande – How Bout That Cigar?
Rating: How Bout A 5er?
Overall Score: 89
PAD: -0.5 (What is PAD?)
Flavor Summary: Sweetness, cedar, citrus, mild spice, cream
Strength Assessment: Mild
Source: Cigars for this review were purchased by HBT Media LLC