Punch gets hold of a Flor de Selva by Maya Selva and sees if this Frenchie tickles his palate.
Draw is busy prepping his house to put on the market, so I’m hanging out in the Lawnmower Lounge and taking advantage of this spectacular November Phoenix area weather.
A few days ago, during my routine Friday afternoon pilgrimage to my favorite local B&M, Big Sticks Fine Cigars, I had the privilege to shoot the breeze with my friend, and area cigar rep Anthony Cantelmo. (He might classify our relationship as an acquaintance, but having stalked him on twitter/facebook/instagram, I may know more about him than he thinks I do. 😉 ) It was during this encounter that I learned of his recent addition of Maya Selva to the stable of companies he and his business partner, Brandon Puckett, represent via their brokerage Fear The Beard Cigars. Maya Selva is a company which I have been keenly interested in of late, but hitherto have been unaware of anywhere in the local area I might find their offerings to try. Then — ta da! With no expectation on my part, my now good friend up and offered me this sample, which I shall now vicariously share with you, our stalwart readers.
The Maya Selva Flor de Selva is a Honduran puro with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper that is made by Placentia in Honduras. Even though this line will be celebrating it’s 20th anniversary next year, the company, headquartered in France, is only recently starting to make inroads in the U.S.
Prelight: The wrapper had a lovely tobacco aroma — reminding me of my grandfather’s BelAir cigarettes when I was a kid. The cold draw gives a soft nut flavor.
Start: Having toasted it to life with my soft flame grill lighter the initial flavor has a slightly harsh/sweet attack It has a fairly complex melon rind and cinnamon toast middle, with a new leather and mild pepper finish. After half-an-inch it has warmed up nicely. The dominant flavor is that of a buttered popcorn Jelly Belly™ jelly bean, and the melon is holding over into the finish with the peppery leather. I’d give this a medium-full flavor intensity rating and a 7 out of 10 in complexity.
Second third: It is more blended and the flavors are less distinct. Still interesting with a nicely balanced nutty melon providing a subtle sweetness, but the pepper has stepped up a notch-and-a-half.
Last third: Easing down the back side of the hill it has mellowed and dropped in flavor intensity, with still less distinct flavors and some menthol replacing the pepper on the finish.
Burn it or Spurn it?
Graver. Oui! This stick had great construction and burn — nary a touch-up was needed. The flavor, particularly at the beginning, was quite complex and interesting. Bear in mind that complex is not necessarily interesting or positive, and interesting is not necessarily complex. This was both, and it really resonated with my palate. As the burn progressed both the complexity and interest waned, much to my disappointment. It didn’t turn bad by any means, it just lost it’s resonance with me. Overall the flavor intensity averaged medium, and I didn’t detect any nicotine effects.
As for value; I’ve had many $9 sticks that were not nearly as good as this was, and were I not let down by the decline in complexity as it went on I would have no reservations about paying $9 or more for this Flor de Selva robusto. With that being said, I highly recommend that you search one out in a local B&M to try. Failing that, click on over to the one place they are available on line; Cuenca Cigars and pick up a single or five-pack.
This First Impression write up was based upon smoking a single sample given to me by the manufacturer’s representative. If I/we get access to others in this line, we’ll let you know of any additional thoughts here or in additional write-ups!