Cuesta Rey Centenario Pyramid No. 9

📌 Brand: Cuesta Rey
📌 Line: Centenario
📌 Size: Piramide No. 9 (6 1/4" × 52)
📌 Weight: 15.3 g
📌 Age: 5 years
📌 Origin: Dominican Republic

Tasting Notes

• Grass & Hay – Dominant, fresh-cut profile

• Cream – Softness underneath when the smoke cools

• White Pepper – Gentle retrohale lift

• Dry Wood – Slightly sharp, lingering finish

First Impressions

The Centenario Piramide No. 9 features a smooth blond Connecticut wrapper with minimal veins and a well-applied torpedo head. Pre-light aromas include hay, sweet cream, and light cedar. Cold draw is near perfect with a grassy note leading the way.

Smoking Experience

• First Third – Grass and hay dominate immediately with cream in the background. A touch of sharpness appears early but burn is clean.

• Second Third – Pepper wakes up slightly; dry wood joins. The profile gets a bit harsh at times, though construction remains reliable.

• Final Third – Grassy character intensifies, cream fades, and wood sharpness becomes more pronounced. Still burns well to the nub.

Pairings

• Alcohol – Dewar’s 15 Year Blended Scotch , mellow honey, malt, and soft oak that round out the cigar’s grassy sharpness.

• Tea – Sri Lankan Uva Black Tea (Ceylon), bright with slight minty high notes that complement the hay-forward profile while smoothing the harsh edges.

Music Pairing

“King Without a Crown” – Matisyahu
Uplifting, mellow energy that helps soften the dryness of the smoke.

Final Thoughts

The Cuesta Rey Centenario Piramide No. 9 delivers a classic Connecticut-style experience with dominant grassy tones, mild cream, and light pepper. While construction is strong and burn performance solid, the profile leans too grassy and occasionally harsh, limiting depth and sweetness.

Final Score: 8/10
Why not a 10?
Grassy, sharp, and slightly harsh character kept it from showing complexity or evolution despite excellent construction.

Only cigars that deliver flawless draw, balance, flavour evolution, construction and satisfaction get a 10.