The Ceniza Fina Box Pressed Robusto was announced by Pospiech Cigars at the end of August. Pospiech is probably best known for the Powstanie brand.
According to the press release, Ceniza Fina means Fine Ash and the cigar was launched by Sam and Rosie Lopez of Fine Ash Cigars a retail store in Glendale, AZ with distribution being handed by Pospiech. The cigar is being made at TABACALERA LA iSLA which is owned by Hostos Fernandez Quesada.
Cigar Review: Ceniza Fina
Size: 5.5 x 56 (Box Pressed Robusto)
Wrapper: Ecuador Corojo
Binder: Mexico
Fillers: Dominican Republic (Criollo ’98, HVA, Piloto Cubano) & Nicaragua (Jalapa)
Factory: TABACALERA LA iSLA
Release Date: September 2024
Box Count: 20
The Cigar: The band reminds me so much of the 1990s with its oval shape and design. It doesn’t look bad it just looks very dated. The milk chocolate wrapper has some bruising to it giving it a slight brindle appearance and it does look thin so thankfully its not to cold outside today. In the hand the cigar is firm with an above average weight and a slight sponginess to the foot.
The Taste: The cold draw has an interesting flavor profile that showcases notes of apricot preserves, ginger snap cookies and a touch of graham crackers. It’s probably a conversation I have never come across before and it has me intrigued. The foot of the cigar has a touch of ginger present with a hint of manure.
Once the cigar is toasted and lit the initial notes are earthy before giving way to rye toast. Right after we take the photo the ash becomes flaky and the notes change to a delicious marzipan and cedar. Marzipan is a confection consisting primarily of sugar and almond meal (ground almonds), sometimes augmented with almond oil or extract. The retrohale sees a nice amount of pepper with a touch of licorice to round out the first third.
The second third loses some of the sweetness with earth becoming the primary note alongside cedar and sourdough bread. The retrohale continues to serve up pepper notes with rye toast that lingers on the finish. Around the halfway point some dark chocolate begins to emerge with some sweetness beginning to return in the form of brown sugar. As the second third comes to a close the marzipan returns though its more in the background.
The last third sees cedar become dominant with a gritty sandy earth mouth feel that is quite drying to the palate. For the first time a slightly floral component also makes an appearance along with sandy turkish coffee and a continued nuance of marzipan. The retrohale serves up notes of pepper, almonds and a subtle floral that lingers on the aroma.
Conclusion: This is the second cigar from Hostos I have smoked the other being the Warped Isla del Cocodrilo and I have to say I really love what is coming out of the factory. There is definitely no mistaking it is a Dominican made cigar, but there is so much flavor going on that it doesn’t have that old dated Dominican feel that that was becoming mundane. If you use to smoke Dominican cigars often like I did, but made the move to Nicaragua this one is worth a visit. It’s flavorful but familiar and definitely worth at least a 5 pack.
Score: 92
Price: $12.50 (Before any local taxes)
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