Viaje White Label Project Candela

Happy Saint Patrick’s day everyone! On a day where green clothing, green beer, Shamrock Shakes, Irish Whiskey and corn beef and cabbage are a staple, one thing is for sure, Green cigars are not. Until recently, there has not been a major release in years featuring the once popular Candela wrapper. Candela wrappers were extremely popular in the late 50’s to the early 70’s. Candela was at one point called American Market Selection because of their extreme popularity in the United States. Nearly all cigars from that era that were smoked in the states were candela cigars. Candela wrappers have green appearance because of the unique way they are cured. The curing barns are sealed and vented from the bottom to promote up and down air exchange. Either small charcoal fires or propane heaters are used to start the process. The temperature is slowly raised in the barn to about 165° F over a 60 to 72 hour period. The green part comes from the chlorophyll that is trapped inside the leaf as the tobacco cures. At this stage the tobacco is extremely dry and brittle. The tobacco is then re-humidified so it can be handled without damaging the leaves.

Recently there have been two additions to the extremely small inventory of Candela wrapped cigars on the market. Illusione was the first to release a candela wrapped cigar earlier this year, then Viaje released its White Label Project just in time for St. Patricks day which is what we are reviewing for you today. The White Label Project from Viaje is a new; you guessed it, Limited Edition series of cigars that will be experimental blends, mash ups, factory errors and the likes. Now, I don’t have much experience with Candela cigars and I only remember having one when I first stared smoking cigars and quite frankly, I remembered I didn’t like it. Let’s see if Viaje can change my mind about candela cigars.

Viaje White Label Project Candela
Size: 5×50 Robusto
Price: About $7.50 per single cigar
Wrapper: Candella
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Made In: Honduras

Appearance & Construction: As you would imagine, the first thing that you notice about the Viaje White Label Candela is it is green. Not a bright vibrant green but a baby diarrhea green; I know, appetizing right? There are some medium sized veins in the pale green wrapper of this cigar but nothing major. The construction seems top-notch as there are even seam lines and a nicely prepared triple cap. The band is boring and simple and actually doesn’t look very good on this color of a cigar, but I get it, it’s White Label Project with concept blends being introduced in the series.

Smoking Characteristics: The draw on the Viaje Candela is great; very smooth with almost no resistance. The burn is thick and even. The ash, although flaky, does hold on for a decent amount of time.

Flavor: The Viaje Candela starts out with some spice and your typical Nicaraguan flavor profile of coffee, earth and some leather. At this time I don’t really notice a huge difference with the candela wrapper. Where I do notice it is on the finish where some tea- like, vegetal flavor is present. As you smoke the cigar down you start to notice the candela wrapper. The flavors get a little sweeter but are also a touch flat.

Final Thoughts: The Viaje White Label Project Candela is a good cigar. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this cigar but I was mildly impressed. Did it change my mind about candela cigars? A little bit, but I would not rush out to get more that is for sure. It’s a good novelty smoke but nothing I could see myself smoking on a regular basis which is why I rate the cigar ‘Good.’

Cigar Rating: Good

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