Curivari Seleccion Privada Prelight
Andreas Throuvalis founded Curivari in 2003. The brand initially began in Europe before debuting in the American market. Curivari’s approach to cigars is heavily influenced by the classic Cuban method. Triple caps, Cuban vitolas, and a commitment to tradition.
The Seleccion Privada is a Nicaraguan puro with Cuban seed Criollo and Corojo tobaccos. Curivari’s catalog is rolled at Plasencia’s factory in Tabacalera de Nicaragua S.A. in Estelí, Nicaragua. The Lancero weighs in at 7.25″ x 42.
The label clearly homages the Cuban Partagas branding. At a glance, this cigar can be confused with a Partagas 898. The wrapper is dark brown with slate undertones and an oily sheen. The foot and wrapper have aromas of cedar and light barnyard. The draw has medium resistance but is only slightly more snug than other lanceros. The cold draw has notes of some more light barnyard and fresh cedar.
Curivari Seleccion Privada First Third
We’re starting with medium-plus smoke output and a complex flavor profile. The first note that jumps out is lightly toasted nuts. Graham crackers, honeycomb, soft earth, and some grassy tones are present on the palate. The retrohale has notes of roasted Brazil nuts, milk chocolate, cedar, and some cayenne pepper. The profile has a fatty or waxy quality from the Brazil nut and honeycomb tones. The ash is tight, the burn line is fantastic, and the construction is excellent.
Curivari Seleccion Privada Second Third
Some flavors have fallen off, but the present notes are slightly more decadent. The palate shows graham crackers, soft earth, grass, and a touch of honeycomb. On the retrohale, I get roasted Brazil nuts, hot cocoa, cedar, and a touch of cayenne pepper. The profile is linear, but the cayenne adds a dynamic quality to the flavors. Smoke output remains at medium plus. The ash is flakier than in the first third, the burn line is fantastic, and construction is holding up well.
Curivari Seleccion Privada Final Third
The profile is staying very consistent here in the final third. Graham crackers, soft earth, and some grass on the palate. Hot cocoa, roasted Brazil nuts, cedar, and barely any cayenne on the retrohale. Smoke output remains at medium plus. Ash was still flakey, but the burn line and construction were excellent. Past the band, flavors continued to be consistent. I put this one down with a little less than an inch left.
Curivari Seleccion Privada Conclusions
The Seleccion Privada Lancero was my first experience with Curivari, but it will not be the last. The flavor profile was nuanced and tasty, and that fatty, waxy Brazil note was incredibly unique. The construction was infallible, which is unsurprising considering that Plasencia is Curivari’s manufacturing partner. On top of that, this is an $8 cigar, which is hugely impressive. Putting out a flavor profile of this caliber in a challenging vitola at this price point deserves to be commended.
