Originally introduced in 2006 the Nestor Miranda Special Selection is the signature premium cigar brand of Miami Cigar & Company. It is however, not their biggest seller with that belonging to Tatiana, a flavored cigar named after Nestor Miranda’s daughter and the wife of VP Jason Wood.
In 2014, the Nestor Miranda Special Selection brand would be discontinued as Miami Cigar & Company decided to rebrand to the Nestor Miranda Collection. That new branding was met with mixed results leading the company to bring back the Special Selection in 2019 as part of their 30th Anniversary.
Cigar Review: Nestor Miranda Special Selection
Size: Coffee Break (4.5 x 50) aka Short Robusto
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano
Binder: Nicaragua Criollo ’98
Filler: Nicaragua (Condega, Esteli & Jalapa)
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Release Date: June, 2019 (Rerelease)
Box Count: 20
The Cigar: From its iconic burlap wrapped box to copper foil on the band, the Nestor Miranda Special Selection stands out in a humidor. When I worked at Miami Cigar we changed the band to put the Miami Cigar logo on the back which hangs over giving an easy spot to grab and remove the band. The Habano wrapper grown in Nicaragua has a nice amount of oils visible and some thin veins. In the hand the cigar is firm with no voids of tobacco and an average weight.
The Taste: The cold draw serves up subtle notes of graham cracker with a subtle ginger snaps while the aroma from the foot is a warm molasses sweetness. After we toast the foot the cigar serves up a burst of pepper before pulling back to reveal a quick hit of cinnamon and constant notes of peanuts and espresso. The retrohale serves up some subtle pepper, sesame and a hint of pecans.
Moving on to the second third pecans become the dominant flavor profile with continued espresso and the introduction of cocoa just before the half way point. As the second third comes to a close notes of cocoa and cedar take over the palate. The retrohale enhances the cedar component with some black pepper.
The final third sees a subtle leather component begin to develop that is also present on the aroma of cigar. The focal point remains nutty with cedar and espresso.
Conclusion: First in terms of full disclosure, I once worked for Miami Cigar & Company the company behind the Nestor Miranda Special Selection. I was offered a job because of my social media presence and how much I loved these cigars. A passion that continues to this day. In the last 5 years I would say 90% of all boxes I have purchased have been this cigar. I am not a box buyer as I prefer 5 packs when ordering online, or a 20 different singles when I load up at the local cigar shop.
The Nestor Miranda Special Selection is a cigar that I feel was blended for me, even though it wasn’t. It checks all the boxes of what I want a cigar to taste like and it has remained consistent over the years. Add to the fact the affordability of the smoke and it’s something I will always have on hand. I do find it funny that occasionally I’ll run into someone who thinks the size name coffee break means the cigar is flavored. It is 100% not a flavored cigar.
Score: 94
Price: $8.00(Before Local and State Taxes)
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