Trinidad Santiago Belicoso
Rank: 22
Rating: 92
Price: $9.90
Made By: Tabacalera Palma S.A.
Factory Location: Dom. Rep.
Dimensions: 6" by 52 ring gauge
Filler: Dom. Rep.
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Dom. Rep.
The non-Cuban Trinidad brand has been sleepy for quite some time. It’s owner, Altadis U.S.A., hadn’t done very much with the cigar in the last 10 years, opting to focus on its larger, more recognizable brands. Rafael Nodal decided that this needed to change. He’s the head of product capability for Altadis and the driving force behind many of its new, creative projects. To bring Trinidad out of its slumber, Nodal collaborated with Dominican cigarmaker and tobacco grower José “Jochy” Blanco. The result was Trinidad Santiago, a bright, vibrant blend of all-Dominican tobaccos grown by Blanco. The Belicoso is full of earth, coffee and licorice notes that transition elegantly into a honeyed, woody finish that kept us wide awake the entire time.