One of the most exciting aspects of cultivating an interest in cigars is that there are always new and interesting smokes to discover, so there’s always the opportunity to expand your palate and curate a uniquely intriguing humidor, one that really showcases your taste and refinement to perfection.
If you’re looking for a new addition to your cigar treasure trove, might we suggest something from the Curivari collection… the Buenaventura range to be exact.
But why would we put forth this particular smoke as your next must-have?
Now’s your chance to find out! Here are some of the more frequently asked questions about the brand and its fantastic line of Nicaraguan cigars.
And if, by chance, we haven’t answered your questions and your thirst for knowledge continues, all you have to do is give the Havana House team a call and we’ll be able to lend a helping hand.
So, without further ado, here’s your first glimpse behind the Curivari curtain… Enjoy!
What’s the history behind Curivari cigars?
Curivari is a boutique cigar brand set up back in 2003, or thereabouts, by Greek entrepreneur Andreas Throuvalas, famed for its high-quality Nicaraguan output typified by traditional Cuban manufacturing, modern craftsmanship, quality construction, unrivalled consistency and authentic flavour.
Over the years, Curivari has worked hard to build up a dedicated and loyal following, despite maintaining a relatively low profile and minimal marketing presence, so you know the quality ultimately speaks for itself.
There’s nothing we love more than a hidden gem here at Havana House and the element of mystery that surrounds the Curivari brand is certainly part of its charm… so you can be forgiven for not having come across them before.
But rest assured that every cigar is handmade in Nicaragua using 100 per cent Nicaraguan long-filler tobacco from only the finest growing regions in the country.
As such, you’ll enjoy a balanced draw and perfect burn, along with the depth of character that you would expect to experience when smoking one of the Cuban heritage brands of old.
Intense and complex, the Curivari range delivers a rich and aromatic experience – one that certainly must not be missed.
What are Curivari Buenaventura cigars?
An excellent gateway cigar, the Buenaventura (Spanish for “good fortune”!) is high quality yet very budget-friendly, so you can indulge to your heart’s content, really cutting your teeth as a newcomer on something that won’t break the bank.
Yet it also holds serious appeal for aficionados, as well, delivering a Cuban-esque smoking experience that reflects the traditional flavours of the classic Cuban, featuring criollo seed and Corojo tobacco, as well as blends from Jalapa and Estelí.
Made in Nicaragua at the Plascencia factory, these cigars are often soft box-pressed in shape with a wonderfully vintage look and feel, easily recognisable thanks to their stripped-back and understated branding.
But, of course, while we enjoy how cigars look and how weighty they feel in the hand, it ultimately all comes down to flavour, so if you’re asking yourself, “what are the main Curivari Buenaventura tasting notes?”, wonder no more!
The fantastic flavour profile of the Buenaventura is made up of:
- Cream
- Cedar
- Roasted nuts
- Coffee
- Mild pepper
- Florals
- Cocoa
- Leather
As for strength, Buenaventura cigars are generally considered to be medium to medium-plus, so you can expect a balanced and versatile smoking experience with more flavour than a mild cigar but without the intensity you might find with more full-bodied smokes.
What Curivari Buenaventura sizes are available?
These cigars are available in a range of different sizes and formats.
Core sizes for the BV line include:
- BV 500 (Robusto): 5¼″ x 50
- BV 554 (Robusto Gordo): 5⅝″ x 54
- BV 560 (Gordo): 5½″ x 56
- BV 600 (Toro): 6″ x 60
- BV 654 (Gordo Toro): 6¼″ x 54
- Petit BV: 4¼″ x 54
- Mini BV: 3½″ x 50
Maduro sizes include:
- BV Maduro Mini: 3½” x 50
- BV 500 Maduro: 5¼” x 50
- BV 560 Maduro: 5½” x 56
Picadores Series sizes include:
- Picadores 42 (Corona): 5½” x 42
- Picadores 50 (Robusto): 5″ x 50
- Picadores 52: 6″ x 52
Favoritos Series sizes include:
- Favoritos 50 (Robusto): 5″ x 50
- Favoritos 54 (Toro): 6″ x 54
- Favoritos 56 (Gordo): 5″ x 56
- Favoritos 60 (Gordo): 6″ x 60
What is the Curivari Buenaventura Favoritos collection?
The relatively new launch of the Buenaventura Favoritos line (brought to market in 2024) is certainly something worth investigating, a value-driven collection of three variants intended to give you access to delicious Cuban-influenced cigars at accessible prices.
All hand-rolled at the Tabacalera de Nicaragua factory, you can take your pick from the Favoritos Natural (Red), the Favoritos Maduro (Blue) and the Favoritos Connecticut (Yellow).
Favoritos Natural
This medium-bodied Nicaraguan puro, (premium cigars sourced and manufactured in just one country, including tobacco, wrapper, binder and filler), features a Jalapa-grown Habana wrapper and captivating sweet, woody notes with hints of pepper revealing themselves as the smoke draws on.
What do the cigar reviews say?
Halfwheel described the Favoritos Natural as having flawless construction, along with “enjoyable intensity and sensation”, with detail and nuance on the retrohale, as well as amazing pricing.
Favoritos Maduro
You’ll find this full-bodied beauty packaged in a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, sporting earthy notes of dark chocolate, coffee, spice, cedar, leather and nuts, with just the right amount of sweetness.
What do the cigar reviews say?
Reviews for this particular iteration are thin on the ground for now but the Havana House team praise this puro for its excellent construction and complex smoking experience… a budget-friendly dream come true, perfect you’re looking for a daily smoke option.
Favoritos Connecticut
This Favoritos comes in a creamy and smooth Ecuadorian Connecticut seed cigar leaf wrapper, a beautifully golden-blonde colour that’s sure to impress – and that’s before you even light it up!
Flavour notes include vanilla, chocolate and caramel… the perfect choice for anyone after a mild-bodied cigar.
What do the cigar reviews say?
The Developing Palates review team described the flavour profile of the Connecticut as “stable and consistent”.
There were slight disagreements about the burn, which some found wavy and others considered perfect throughout, but the draw was generally judged as being bob on from start to finish. As ever with the Favoritos line, the price point was “wildly attractive”.
What is the Curivari Buenaventura cigar price range?
As we’ve already mentioned, one of the biggest attractions where the Buenaventura range is concerned is the price point – and they’re perfect for anyone looking for budget to mid-range smokes who doesn’t want to compromise on quality.
You can expect to pay between £6 and £22 or thereabouts per smoke, while boxes of ten to 20 will range roughly from £120 to £270.
Where can you buy Curivari Buenaventura cigars in the UK?
Right here at Havana House HQ!
We have the full Favoritos range in stock right now and we’re always adding to our collection, so make sure you keep checking back to see what we’re showcasing at any given time.
How does Curivari Buenaventura compare to other premium cigars?
Quite rightly, the Curivari Buenaventura cigar range is one of the industry’s true hidden gems and, as such, an absolute must-have for any true cigar aficionado.
Often very favourably compared to the likes of Casa Magna and Four Kicks, other premium (and significantly higher priced) Nicaraguan smokes, what sets the Buenaventura apart is its affordability, high-end, hand-rolled construction (often described as flawless!), a solid and consistent burn, and an easy draw.
And, unlike other budget cigars on the market, you won’t compromise on complexity of flavour with the Buenaventura, either. You never need to worry that you’ll experience a one-dimensional smoke.
Instead, you will be taken on a journey from start to finish, starting off with milder flavours and earthy notes before moving into a rich, spicy and indulgent taste sensation.
Furthermore, because these smokes have been intentionally designed to replicate old-school Cubans, manufactured in adherence with traditional Cuban cigar making processes (growing tobacco in nutrient-rich soil before curing, fermenting, stripping, blending and rolling by hand), you know you’re only ever going to get a quality product, each and every time.
What other Curivari cigar brands are there?
Beyond the Buenaventura line, other distinct Curivari series to explore include:
- The Curivari Reserva Limitada, including the Cafe, Cafe Noir and the Classica
- The Gloria de Leon (famed for its traditional classical-style blend)
- The Seleccion Privada
- The Curivari Achilles (featuring Nicaraguan Habano wrappers and a blend that contains ligero for added strength)
- The Curivari Socrates
- The El Gran Rey (often presented in smaller vitolas, with the focus on balanced flavour)
- The Ciclope
What are the best cigars like Curivari Buenaventura?
As a final thought, if you like what you find with the Curivari Buenaventura collection, you’re sure to want to seek out other cigars that tick similar boxes to further develop as a cigar enthusiast.
With this in mind, here are just a few other cigar brands to taste test over the coming months:
Illusione Epernay
These Cuban-esque Nicaraguan cigars boast unique flavours in mild and medium-sized sticks, with ranges that appeal to everyone from the novice smoker looking for milder tones to the aficionados keen to experience true complexity with each draw.
Padron
Founded in Miami by José Orlando Padron, Padron cigars are manufactured in Nicaragua, with 100 per cent of the tobacco used grown on private farms in the country… so you know the blends are all sunkissed to perfection.
This comes through in the flavour, for sure, with the sticks boasting bold tasting notes and full-bodied profiles, with everything from dark roast coffee and almonds to cocoa coming through.
Davidoff Winston Churchill
Davidoff is a top-tier cigar brand and your humidor will never be complete without one of their stogies contained within.
If you’re looking to take your Buenaventura experience to the next level, the Winston Churchill would be a fantastic choice, featuring a multi-blend from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, with notes of spice, leather, coffee, malt, spice and dark chocolate.
Amazing!
