If you’re knowledgeable about the cigar industry and haven’t lived under a rock, then I’m sure you’ve come across someone smoking or talking about Drew Estate cigars. Specifically, the cigars that exist under the Herrera Esteli line. Willy Herrera is a master blender and a key member of Drew Estates’ success.

Today we’re reviewing the Herrera Esteli Miami Edition. Launching in 2016, Willy Herrera released this gem in five different sizes. What is unique about this cigar is that Willy himself rolled it to his tiny factory in the heart of Little Havana Miami, El Titan de Bronze. Returning to his roots has made for one delicious medium to full-bodied smoke.

I’ve smoked many products from Willy, including the delicious Herrera Esteli Miami. However, I smoked this bad boy in 2019 for the first time and don’t remember much of it since my palate and sense of cigars were extremely novice. So let’s dive in and light up the 92-rated smoke and see what it has to offer.

Country of Origin: United States

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro

Binder: Ecuador Sumatra

Filler: Dominican Republic/Nicaragua

Strength: Medium-Full

Wrapper Shade:  EMS

Sizes Available:

• Herrera Esteli Miami Edition Robusto Grande (5.25×52)
• Herrera Esteli Miami Edition Short Corona Gorda (5.88×46)
• Herrera Esteli Miami Edition Piramide Fino (6×52)
• Herrera Esteli Miami Edition Toro Especial (6×52)
• Herrera Esteli Miami Edition Lonsdale (6×44)

Smoke Time: 90-100 minutes depending on the size

For this smoking session, I decided to use a punch cut to allow for maximum output of smoke once lit. I was thinking of using matches to light the Miami up, but I went with my trusty torch lighter I always have on me.

Once punched, I took a few drags to see what flavors I’ll detect without lighting up the Miami. An abundance of cedar and fresh-cut grass came to the forefront of my palate. I attribute those notes to the eye-popping Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper cloaked over the Robusto Grande I am about to light up.

20 minutes into the first third, the notes from the cold draw are extremely prominent with each puff. As I was finishing up the first third, a touch of caramel came into play, adding the sweetness that I know and love.

As for the Second and Final Third, nothing really changed or adjusted that much. With Caramel and Earth tones taking the wheel, sweet cedar disappeared midway through the second third. It wasn’t a huge change, but you can tell that the cedar played a big part in the first third of the cigar.

As I smoked this gem down to the nub, I was detecting hints of espresso, but nothing to really affect or change much from the large amount of caramel and earth that took hostage of my tastebuds. Overall, I felt like the earth paired perfectly with the caramel with the two other flavors playing supporting roles extremely well.

I was fortunate enough to smoke the Miami Edition at my house, so I was able to pair it alongside two bottles of one of my favorite beers, Big Wave Golden Ale by Kona Brewing Company.

With Big Wave being on the lighter side for beer, I thought it was the perfect pairing for a cigar that is a little more on the fuller side when aged for a year, which was the case for the Miami Edition. The tasting notes of the Big Wave were Honey and Malt, which clashed perfectly with the caramel and earth tones. This is a pairing I’d go with the next time I light up a Herrera Esteli Miami.

There’s not much more I can say to persuade you to take a chance on Willy and his extensive catalog. The band and box will be a cool addition to your cigar box collection if and when you purchase the Miami.

The Miami Edition from Willy Herrera is slightly more of a special cigar since he made it himself at his home base, so that may be a good reason to pull the trigger and add it to your cart.

At the end of the day, you always know what you’ll be getting with a cigar from Drew Estate and Herrera Esteli. Phenomenal construction, delicious flavor notes, and affordable prices for everyone to enjoy.