Dana Point Cigar & Wine in Southern California is more than just a shop; it’s a destination for cigar aficionados. Owned by Sean Cunningham, the man behind Esteban Carreras Cigars, this location boasts an impressive selection, particularly if you are a fan of Esteban Carreras. During a trip to Newport Beach, a detour to Dana Point was a must, and the visit to this shop proved worthwhile. While the drive down the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) might test your patience due to traffic, Dana Point Cigar & Wine is a haven for cigar lovers. Being a TAA shop, they carry a wide array of brands, but their Esteban Carreras selection is truly something to behold.
Among the intriguing finds was the Esteban Carreras Chupa Cabra Hellcat. This cigar represents a new blend within the well-known Chupa Cabra line. It features Nicaraguan filler and binder, enveloped by a Mexican San Andres wrapper. Rumor has it, this wrapper is the “same wrapper” used by a prominent Nicaraguan manufacturer for some of their Maduro lines – a subtle nod perhaps to a certain “P” brand. The Chupa Cabra name itself is said to originate from a boat name Cunningham spotted, leading one to wonder if the “Hellcat” moniker is a nod to a powerful car, reflecting a similarly potent smoking experience. Despite some inconsistent spellings found online, the cigar band clearly presents “Chupa Cabra” as two words and “Hellcat” as one.
Having sampled this cigar twice before – once as a company gift and twice purchased – this review is based on a well-rounded experience.
Prelight Impressions
The Chupa Cabra Hellcat immediately presents a more refined aesthetic compared to the standard Chupa Cabra releases. While maintaining the core main and secondary bands familiar from the Habano and Maduro versions, the Hellcat distinguishes itself with an added foot band proclaiming “Hellcat” and a substantial vellum strip extending from the secondary band down to the foot band. This elaborate banding certainly covers a good portion of the cigar, contributing to its upscale appearance. Given the extensive banding, a clean foot might have been a preferable choice over the closed foot.
Removing the secondary band, vellum, and foot band as a single, easily sliding unit reveals a smooth, slightly papery Mexican San Andres wrapper. The wrapper, the color of milk chocolate, displays readily visible yet barely palpable veins. A deep pre-light sniff of the wrapper yields aromas of earth and cocoa powder. The foot mirrors these aromas, adding a note of cedar to the mix.
While some might attempt to pull the pigtail cap off, opting for a clean cut with an Xikar Xi cutter resulted in an excellent cold draw. Pre-light flavors were a pleasant combination of chocolate and dried berries, underpinned by earth and cedar notes.
Flavor Journey
Upon lighting, the Chupa Cabra Hellcat immediately makes its presence known with upfront notes of leather and dark roast coffee. A slightly bitter earthiness follows closely behind, adding depth to the initial profile. The finish introduces nuances of semi-sweet chocolate, dark fruit, and a touch of red pepper spice, creating a complex and engaging start. The retrohale further enriches the experience, revealing medium-roast coffee, roasted nuts, tea, and a more pronounced pepper spice. As the first third progresses, the flavor profile refines, settling into a core of coffee, earth, and baker’s cocoa.
The second third marks a subtle increase in sweetness, yet the earthy foundation remains central. Espresso bean notes continue to play a prominent role, while the pepper spice recedes noticeably throughout this middle section, allowing other flavors to emerge.
The final third of the Chupa Cabra Hellcat shifts towards a greater emphasis on earth and cocoa powder, accompanied by persistent espresso bean and a hint of tea. By this point, the pepper spice has become a distant memory, resulting in a more grounded and less complex finish compared to the initial and middle stages.
Construction and Performance
The construction of the Chupa Cabra Hellcat proved to be exceptional. It offered a fantastic draw, producing ample smoke with each puff. The ash was solid and held firmly, indicating quality tobacco and rolling. The burn line remained consistently even, requiring only a couple of minor touch-ups throughout the smoking experience, showcasing excellent construction quality.
Value Proposition
Esteban Carreras maintains its reputation for delivering cigars with reasonable price points, and the Hellcat is no exception. Considering the overall smoking experience, the Chupa Cabra Hellcat presents very good value for the price, making it an accessible option for enthusiasts seeking quality without breaking the bank.
Final Verdict
The Esteban Carreras Chupa Cabra Hellcat delivers a solid smoking experience. While undeniably good, it falls short of being truly “great.” The cigar exhibits a commendable level of complexity in its initial stages, but this complexity diminishes as it progresses into the second and final thirds, becoming somewhat one-dimensional towards the end. However, its positive attributes, particularly the enjoyable flavor profile in the first half and the excellent construction, combined with its reasonable price point, make the Hellcat a cigar definitely worth exploring. It’s a worthwhile addition to any humidor, offering a satisfying smoke without demanding a premium price.
By-The-Numbers Breakdown
- Prelight: 2/2
- Construction: 2/2
- Flavor: 3.5/5
- Value: 1/1
- Total: 8.5/10
