The La Riqueza brand is created by Pete Johnson from Tatuaje and is blended in the style of the full flavored medium bodied Cuban cigar. They come in dress boxes and are a bit box pressed. The filler and binder are Nicaraguan and the wrapper is a natural dark USA broadleaf Connecticut. The wrapper has some spots, but is nice oily. Although the construction feels good, the predraw is very easy and leaves me with some peppers on the lips. The aroma is leather and a barnyard smell. The #4 is a 5 x 48 robusto.

Image

I taste full leather and some pepper, sharp white pepper. The pepper might be a little much, if it was toned down a bit it would have been nicer. Halfway some chocolate accompanies the pepper and dry wood replaced the leather. The pepper doesn’t lose any of his strength.

Image

The draw is way too easy. The cigar is indeed full flavored and medium bodied, Pete did a good job on blending these cigars in the style of the old Cubans, although there will always be a noticeable difference between Cubans and Non Cubans, not that that is a bad thing though, I prefer Nicaraguan tobacco anyway. The ash is firm and light colored, and the amount of smoke I got is more then enough.

Image

Would I buy this cigar again? Yes, I liked it and want to give it another try, and hopefully the draw on the next La Riqueza I smoke is much better.

Appearance: 7 / 10
Construction: 6 / 10
Draw: 5 / 10
Smoke & ash: 8 / 10
Burn: 8 / 10
Aroma (first part) 8 / 10
Aroma (middle part) 7 / 10
Aroma (last part) 7 / 10
[Reply]

Thanks for the review Ferdie! You're like a machine lately...churning out the reviews, carpeting bombing the US. What's next? LOL!! :-)
[Reply]

I'll tell you a secret, I had these reviews lying around for a while, but I didn't get to transferring them from paper to a digital format. Now that I have time I am in the process of typing them all and post them. Still have about 7 or 8 to go :-)
[Reply]

Great Review, Ferdie! My Favorite NC, BTW. I prefer a loose draw myself, so it's perfect!:-)
[Reply]

Thanks for the review and pictures. The first Riqueza I smoked was really tasty and I kept going until I couldn't hold it anymore. The second one was just as good but that spiciness you mentioned was a little overpowering. I may have to try another before I make a final judgment.
[Reply]

Great review
[Reply]

I know, I know, I reviewed this 5x48 cigar not too long ago but The Longfiller Company, who imports these great cigars in The Netherlands asked me to revisit these box pressed cigars as they recently came available on the Dutch market with a price tag of € 9.00. It is made by Don Pepin at the Tabacalera Cubana factory. The Connecticut broadleaf wrapper comes from the Oliva farm while the filler and binder are from Nicaragua.

Image

I like the simple band and the fleur de lis gives away that this cigar is part of the Pete Johnson empire. The wrapper is dark, oily, leathery and only has a few minor veins, just a few thin ones. I don't smell anything when I sniff the cigar. The construction feels good, and the triple cap always looks good. The predraw is good and I get a little pepper on the tongue.

Image

I taste a spicy coffee flavor with some sweetness and a peppery aftertaste. After an inch these flavors have transformed into a mild and sweet dry leather flavor with a spicy aftertaste. The feeling in my mouth is dry.

Image

Halfway I taste a lot of spicy herbs with some cedar wood. The flavors are sweet and spicy. Near the end I taste a spicy leather with herbal flavors again, the cedar has disappeared.

Image

This cigar lasted me for 50 minutes and gave me a lot of thick smoke. The draw and burn were good and the white colored ash is firm. I would call this cigar full flavored and full bodied. I love this cigar, the only downside is the short smoke time.

Image

Would I buy this cigar again? Damn sure I will

Appearance: 8 / 10
Construction: 8 / 10
Draw: 8 / 10
Burn: 7 / 10
Smoke & ash: 8 / 10
Aroma first part: 8 / 10
Aroma second part: 8 / 10
Aroma third part: 8 / 10
[Reply]

Great update review, Ferdie. :-) I'm glad the draw the second time around was good.
[Reply]

I found the cigar to also have a strong pepper attack to the tounge. The suprizing flovor I pulled out of the 2 I smoked was that of black berries (such as dark cherries, blackberry) profile. Not a bad thing, in fact would have been better with a little less bite on the tounge.
[Reply]

I believe that's also the flavor that I couldn't quite describe, but after reading this it sounds about right. Though I'm not noticing the tongue bite at all. Great stick!
[Reply]

Great reviews Ferd....though much to strong for me
[Reply]

Thanks for the review ferdie, I read every one you post lol.
[Reply]

I love almost every Riqueza I've had. These are some consistent heavy hitters to me.
[Reply]

I LOVE the big spicy flavors in these. Great review, as always.
[Reply]

Yes these are a damn fine smoke and I can see where you guys are getting a berry flavor. In one word this cigar is elegant:-)
[Reply]

Beautiful cigar, gorgeous presentation, perfect size, and I love the box press.
I tried SO hard to get beside these smokes, I thought it'd be the one Pete cigar I'd like.
No dice.
I can see why guys enjoy them, I just don't care for the flavors.
Nice review, Ferdie!!! :-)
[Reply]

Great review! I love the Riqueza's! Damn, now I'm really in the mood for one!
[Reply]

Good review. I still have half a box I think.
[Reply]

Great review of one of my absolute favorites. Rarely does a week go by where "The Riches" works it's way into the lineup. Thanks for the write-up!
-Dude
[Reply]

nice review, this sounds like something I would like
[Reply]