5 Vegas Reviews: Limitada '05, Gold, & Series "A"

[craigchilds]

A TOUR THROUGH 5 VEGAS

The 5 Vegas (pronounced cinco vegas) brand was founded in Cuba in 1890. It was resurrected by cigar-man Kiki Berger in Esteli, Nicaragua. They consistently score in the upper 80’s to lower 90’s in blind taste tests.


(1) 5 VEGAS SERIES “A”
Size: 6.0 x 50 (Toro)
Wrapper: Costa Rica maduro, Filler: Nicaragua/Dominican Republic
Price: $3.50

Location: Lounging on a friend's pool deck, after swimming but before dinner. Consumed with chips, salsa, and a strawberry daiquiri.

Construction: A deep chocolate-brown wrapper. A strong, striking aroma. Fairly loose draw, which burned hot but evenly.

Taste: Of the 5 Vegas line, I expected to like this cigar the best because it is the strongest and most flavorful blend. It began with strong spicy pepper tastes (very reminiscent of Comacho), which evolved to a milder chocolate flavor, but then quickly became hot and somewhat bitter in the final third as the draw loosened.

Final verdict: A decent full-bodied smoke but not as good as some others in the same price range--Comacho, IT Super Fuerte, JR Ultimate, or JR Limitada Edicion.


(2) 5 VEGAS GOLD
Size: 6.0 x 50 (Toro)
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade
Filler: Nicaragua/Dominican Republic (Aged 5 years)
Price: $3.50

Location: Lounging on a friends pool deck (again), after dinner, playing poker. Consumed with a glass of chianti and vodka-soaked watermelons.

Construction: A flawless, light tan wrapper. Very light, sweet aroma. Slightly tight draw. A slow cool burn, with no problems.

Taste: A mild, creamy smoke that manages to keep enough flavor to avoid becoming bland or boring. Very similar to other cigars with the “gold” moniker—such as CAO Gold and Royal Jamaican Gold. As far as mild cigars go, this would rank above the CAO, RJ, and Padilla but probably not as high as Onyx Reserve or Macanudo Crystal Café.

Final Verdict: Even though I’m not usually a fan of mild cigars, I would still purchase again, to be enjoyed as a before-dinner smoke.


(3) 5 VEGAS LIMITADA 2005
Size: 6.25 x 52 (BELICOSO)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown
Filler: Cuban-seed, Nicaraguan, Peruvian, Corojo long-leaf fillers
Price: $5.50

Location: Lounging on a friend's pool deck, after dinner, playing poker. Consumed with a few glasses of chianti.

Construction: A few very, very minor tears in the wrapper, which did not affect the smoke. Medium draw, slow cool burn. No problems at all with the burn. I nubbed this cigar until it finally extinguished itself under the 1/4th” mark.

Taste: Easily the crowning jewel of the brand. The medium-bodied cigar began with soft hints of pepper, which progressed to a citrus tang, and finished strong with solid smooth flavors.

Final Verdict: Will purchase again (while supplies last)


5 VEGAS brands I have not tried:
Classic
Limitada '06 (just recently released)
Vintage (rare, soon to be re-released)

[Poriggity]

Nice! Im a big fan of everything that 5 vegas puts out, with an exception to the red label versions.. I didn't really care for those.
Scott

[WBill]

I have tried all the 5 Vegas cigars and the "A" is my favorite, in fact I think the "A" is one of the best most flavorful cigars I have ever smoked bar none.

You might want to let the "A"s rest for awhile and give them another try.

Bill

[donp]

I have smoked all of the 5 Vegas brands except the Vintage; I didn't know about them, and will get some as soon as they are available if they are worth it.
I like all of the 5 Vegas brands for different reasons. My preference is the 5 Vegas A (Archetype); I agree with WBill; let 'em rest a bit.
The Limitada '06 is a good smoke and different than the 05 Limitada; I think I wrote a review of them in here somewhere
The Gold is probably one of the best mild smokes I have had. In all, the main reason I am partial to 5 Vegas is the price; you get a lot more for your money with these, because they consistently overachieve.

[The Professor]

I'm also becoming a big fan of the 5 Vegas line. I've only tried the Classic and the "A" styles. Though I haven't had them long enough to age, the "A" strikes me as one that would do well with age. That said, my new shipment was tasty right out of the box. Yummy! The Classics are a bit mellower, if memory serves correctly, and go great with a coffee. Anyway, I agree with dnop: 5 Vegas are a great value ... lots of bang for your buck.

[craigchilds]

Originally Posted by donp

I like all of the 5 Vegas brands for different reasons. My preference is the 5 Vegas A (Archetype); I agree with WBill; let 'em rest a bit.

That is a good idea. I will let my last Series A rest for a few months and then try again with an open mind.

Originally Posted by donp

The Gold is probably one of the best mild smokes I have had. In all, the main reason I am partial to 5 Vegas is the price; you get a lot more for your money with these, because they consistently overachieve.

I don't usually go for mild smokes, but there are times I do. 5 Vegas Gold is probably 3rd on my list, as indicated in the review. It is definitely a better bargain than either the Onyx Reserve or the Macanudo Crystal Cafe, which both usually exceed $5.

[Baric]

Ive never tried a Vegas 5 but from what you write in your review, it sounds very much like a Don Kiki, made by the same guy, which i am fond of!

[smokeydog]

i'm almost done with my box of vegas gold's. they are incredible, the only other mild cigar i like better is montecristo #2.

[papajohn67]

I must be really jaded because the couple I have tried did not send me at all. Guess it's time to take another crack at them.

Nice review!!

[donp]

Originally Posted by Baric

Ive never tried a Vegas 5 but from what you write in your review, it sounds very much like a Don Kiki, made by the same guy, which i am fond of!

Baric:
Don Kiki's Red label is the forebear of the 5 vegas classic but different. Following is the info of the 5 Vegas:
>>A robust and creamy medium to full-bodied taste, extensive aging, and a nice blend of Cuban seed Nicaraguan and Dominican long leaves, all wrapped in a dark and rich Sumatra wrapper leaf<<

And the Don Kiki Red Label is made of aged Cuban Seed Habano tobacco from Tabacalera Esteli. The binder and wrapper are Colorado sun grown Cuban Seed Habano from the Jalapa Valley.

IMO, they taste similar but are not a close match.

[White97Jimmy]

05 and 06 Limitadas are some good smokes. I am trying to stock up on as many 06's as I can afford.

[donp]

Originally Posted by White97Jimmy

05 and 06 Limitadas are some good smokes. I am trying to stock up on as many 06's as I can afford.

Yeah they are Jimmy. I was fortunate enough to have won a 10 pack on cbid a coupla months ago, and man they are good.

[G-Man]

I really like he '05 Limitada's. I have some '06 Limitada's I got off CBid, but I thought it would be best to let them sit a while.

Nice review on those 3. I also like the A's with a little time on them. IMO, the time tends smooth them out and make them quit and enjoyable smoke. A much different smoke than when smoked "fresh".

Others have talked about price as being a factor and I agree. The classics and the gold are quality smokes in the lower price range.

[White97Jimmy]

I am planning on handing the 06's out at my wedding, I figured it would be kinda a sentimental thing with the year of our engagement on the cigar.

[vtdragon]

I'm a fan of mild cigars and agree that the 5 Vegas Gold is a good smoke for a terrific price. My experience is that they are much improved (enhanced flavor, cooler finish) by resting in the humidor for a few weeks, though I admit to impatience.