Weekly Email – November 4th, 2015

We’ve always been keen on Curivari, that elusive label by Greek entrepreneur and cigar-lover Andreas Throuvalas, which is why we’re quick to jump on his new releases, and there have been quite a few this year. The latest is this:Achilles Invensibles, another new twist on the original Achilles series.The major variation this time around is the addition of a flavorful Nicaraguan Colorado wrapper. If you’ve been reading this newsletter faithfully, you may remember that “Colorado” is a designation of color, similar to “rosado.” Thus, the flavor from a Colorado leaf is milder than a maduro (such as the San Andrés used on the Achilles Myrmidones, last week’s C.O.W.), but a bit bolder than the Nicaraguan habano on the original Achilles.

The Invensibles (the Spanish spelling of “invincible,” in case you were wondering…another reference to the warriors of Achilles) are available in three sizes: the #4 (a 4⅞” X 50 rothschild), the #5 (a 5½” X 52 robusto), and the #6 (a 6¼” X 54 toro). Try one or all of them…any way you cut it, an Achilles is always a treat!

Known as the King of VaPer’s (“Virginia/Perique blends,” that is), the storiedEscudo* is my choice for this week’s discussion in our Pipe Corner.

Escudo was originally released in 1912, produced by the Cope brothers until 1936; production was then taken over by Gahaller, who ran with it until 1994. In 1997 A&C Peterson resumed production; this lasted until 2000, when they ceased manufacturing it, again leaving a vacuum in the pipe world for a first-class Virginia Perique coin slice. The folks at Scandinavian Tobacco Group finally picked up the ball and revived this storied blend, escalating it back to its nearly legendary status.

The tin note is, in this reviewer’s opinion, plummy…figgy and sweet, with a barely detectable hay note, though the Perique dominates the olfactory receptors. My preferred way of preparing the neatly arranged “coins” is to take 2 or 3 of them and rub them out completely before packing the bowl in my usual fashion.

Fresh from the tin, Escudo’s moisture content is near-perfect, though some individuals may desire a little open-air dry time to bring it to optimal smoking condition. First light reveals the Virginias (in this case, both Carolina- and Virginia-grown). It’s evident that there’s some age in these leaves as they smoke cool and sweet. As the bowl progresses, the Perique wafts in and out of the flavor profile while adding body and mouthfeel to the smoke.

Escudo is one blend I’d recommend to any novice looking to explore the non-aromatic world of Virginia/Perique blends. Life is too short to smoke mediocre tobacco, so why not start out with the best? Escudo is clean-burning and the fabled “fine white ash” at the conclusion of the smoke is very evident. I’m giving STG’s Escudo a full 5 out of 5 pipes.

Puff On!

*Editor’s Note: An escudo is a Spanish coin, a play upon the shape of the tobacco flakes. Get it?