The SAGA Continues With Blend No. 7

Corporation Cigar Export (CCE) is operated by the Reyes family where the current fifth and sixth generations maintain their tradition of making high quality cigars. CCE makes one of my favorite cigars, the Gigante of the Don Julio Punta Espada series. CCE launched a new series called Saga at the 2014 IPCPR and I previously reviewed (and liked) the new Saga Golden Age. The remaining 2014 Saga launch, Blend No. 7, is the subject of this review.

Blend No. 7 has an unusual claim to fame – it uses a seldom used wrapper from Brazil called Cubra. I am familiar with and enjoy the Brazilian Arapiraca maduro wrapper but the Cubra is an Habano hybrid grown in Brazil (as in Cuba and Brazil = Cubra?). Blend No. 7 has a Habano Dominican binder and a mix of Central-American and Dominican tobaccos for filler. CCE kindly gave me 5 ½ X 50 Robusto to sample.

The Robusto came sealed in a high quality aluminum foil re-sealable packet that is superior to the common see-through plastic pouches normally dispensed at these shows. The Robusto was firm but without any hard spots and the bands were removed easily. The initial flavor was nutty with some pepper. The after taste was mild included undertones of cedar. By the middle the flavor changed to coffee and cream but the after taste remained the same. Draw was very good, as was the smoke volume. The flavor strength increased well into the medium body range. The ash was even and well formed, confirming excellent construction. It took 90 minutes to smoke Blend No. 7 and at an SRP of between $6.49 I consider a very good value. My overall rating for this quality cigar is 4.5 out of 5.