The Saga Short Tales Tomo VII: Tales of the Land - Navarrete hits hard with its box-pressed robusto format (5"x52) and a wallet-friendly $9.20 per stick price tag. Wrapped in oily Mexican San Andrés Maduro leaf, this Dominican-made cigar packs Criollo 98 and Piloto Cubano tobaccos into a medium-bodied smoke that feels anything but ordinary. Let's cut through the marketing - this stick's real story lives in its earthy-sweet balance and that distinctive box-press grip.
The cold draw hits with raisin sweetness before flame meets foot. Initial puffs deliver black pepper kick that settles into baking spices - think nutmeg and allspice. The San Andrés wrapper shines through with semisweet chocolate notes, while the box-press construction ensures a slow, even burn. Smoke output stays moderate, leaving room to actually taste the cigar rather than choke on clouds.
Mineral notes emerge as the core profile shifts toward caramelized sugar and damp earth. I catch faint citrus zest acidity balancing the sweetness, likely from the Dominican Piloto Cubano filler. The ash holds strong past two inches, revealing textbook combustion of well-aged tobacco. This is where the "Tales of the Land" concept clicks - you're literally tasting Navarrete's terroir through those mineral undertones.
Leather and black cherry take over as the cigar heats up. Retrohale brings unexpected sea salt nuance that cuts through the richness. Strength ramps up to medium-full territory here - novice smokers might want to put it down with an inch left, but veterans will appreciate the bold finish. The last third demands slower pacing to avoid bitterness, rewarding patience with a satisfying espresso-like aftertaste.
What makes Navarrete stand out isn't just the blend - it's how the volcanic soil from San Andrés Valley (Mexico) interacts with Dominican Cibao Valley's calcium-rich red earth. The wrapper contributes molasses-like sweetness while fillers add that signature mineral tang. It's a bold encounter between two tobacco-growing regions, rolled into one compact format that respects your time without compromising complexity.
