Nat Sherman Epoca Cigar Review

Nat Sherman Epoca Prince (6 x 50)

W: Ecuador CT

B: Dom. Rep.

F: Dom. Rep., Nic.

Origin: Quesada Cigars, Santiago, D.R.

Originally a clear Havana cigar produced in the United States before the embargo, Nat Sherman re-introduced their classic Epoca brand as both a tribute to the company’s roots and an updated new blend for today’s discerning smokers.

Produced by Quesada Cigars in the Dominican Republic, the Epoca features an Ecuadoran Connecticut wrapper around a blend of Cuban-seed Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. For today’s review, I procured a sample of the Prince (6 x 50) vitola which was so courteously supplied by our friends at Nat Sherman.

Pre-light draws gave off some simple sweet cream and light, toasty cedar.

The smoke began with a very “clean” taste of cedar flecked with dollops of cream. The draw was a bit firm for my preferences in this first portion but not as to hinder the smoke. The burn-line was straight and producing neat gray ash. Around the 1 1/4” mark the profile opened up a bit to include notes of toasted bread and white pepper.

In the second third the Epoca deepened in taste, presenting a hearty earthiness with tones of black pepper and nutmeg. Hints of vanilla emerged as well, adding some subtly-sweet contrast to the swirling tones of cedar, pepper, and earth at play. Every puff was super-smooth, but a quick retrohale revealed a formidable spicy boldness that was looming in the background.

As I burned into the final third the profile “thickened” a bit and some dense breadiness with tinges of caramel sweetness hit the palate. With about an inch remaining I let the nub go peacefully into the ashtray.

The Epoca had a pleasant simplicity to it that was enjoyable from start to finish. While there was definitely a noticeable progression in terms of flavor, a glorious streak of rich cedar shined all the way through, kind of like its “calling card.” If elegant, creamy, and woody smokes are your thing, the Nat Sherman Epoca is, in theory, your favorite cigar. Click the link in the previous sentence and you can have it at the lowest prices you’ll ever see.