Today, I had the opportunity to try each of the three sizes of Camaleon’s Huevo de Oro! I’m been really excited to share this as the Cigar of the Week for a little while now but wanted to make sure that I could accurately compare all three vitolas since they were available.
You can learn more about Manufactura Rivas here
If you remember from the past, I’m a huge fan of most brands hailing from Manufactura Rivas –and Camaleon is no exception. There’s a certain kind of craftsmanship and sophistication that we’ve come to expect from this boutique factory and group of blenders. Some call it the Top Secret Nest, others call it Manufactura Rivas, I call it one of the best kept secrets of the cigar world.
Huevo de Oro Toro
I began my day with the Toro because it’s milder than what you’d expect from such a dark cigar. In fact, it’s a bit on the sweet side, making it a perfect candidate for my first cigar of the day. One of the first things I fell in love with on this cigar was the retro hale: it reminds me of Hawaiian Sweet Rolls with hints of earth and black pepper. And the pepper here isn’t a front seat driver, it’s very much in the back seat.
Tasting Notes: Sweet Cedar, Croissants, Brown Sugar, Earth, Honey, Lingering Pepper
Intensity: Mild-Medium
Huevo de Oro Robusto
The Robusto moves more into the medium-bodied intensity, with a more robust retro hale that kicks much harder in the spice department. The overall mouth feel of this cigar begins with a milder body that ramps up over time to become wholly medium. If you think the Robusto is lighter than the other vitolas, that’s because you have a good eye! It actually uses an HVA wrapper whereas the other sizes use a Havana 92 wrapper.
Tasting Notes: Leather, Earth, Root Beer Spices, Nuts, Floral, Subtle Chocolate
Intensity: Medium
Huevo de Oro Corona
The vitola that really takes the cake for me, though, is the Corona! Complexity abounds, yet it isn’t subtle in the flavor department. This cigar is the perfect blend of instant gratification and mystery, bringing me back time and time again.
Much like the Toro, the retro hale in the Corona is pure magic. I keep waiting to get caught off guard and blasted with a ton of pepper in my nose, but it just doesn’t happen. Each retro hale reminds me of a latte tampered with leather and rye notes that form incredibly fascinating sensations.
Tasting Notes: Dark Chocolate, Rye Bread, Nougat, Leather, Sweetened Coffee
Intensity: Medium+
Suggestions:
If you’ve yet to give Huevo de Oro a try, I’d highly suggest that you add them to your list of cigars to sample during social distancing. Pedro and Gabriel did a fantastic job with this blend and gave us a cigar for every occasion in just one brand.
If your tastes lean towards the milder, sweeter side of the wheelhouse, I’d encourage you to start with the Toro and work your way up to the Corona. I also have a sweet tooth, and these were my jam.
If you prefer a savorier experience, check out the Robusto. This vitola balanced out the sensations of sweet, spicy, and savory really well.
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