Felipe Gregorio Classic Belicoso (Full Box 25 Cigars)

• Length: 159mm
• Ring Gauge: 52
• Flavour: Medium-Full
• Wrapper: Habano 92
• Binder: Sun Grown Habano 44
• Filler: Habano 92
• Origin: Dominican Republic

Felipe Gregorio Classic Belicoso – Full Box of 25 Cigars

There's something rather satisfying about opening a wooden cigar box and finding twenty-five beautifully presented Belicosos lined up inside. The Felipe Gregorio Classic Belicoso makes a particularly handsome sight, with its golden-brown wrappers, pointed heads and traditional blue and gold bands. It's the sort of box that deserves a moment's appreciation before anybody starts helping themselves.

At 159mm long with a 52 ring gauge, these are generously proportioned cigars. The Belicoso shape gives them an elegant, tapered head, a feature that takes considerable skill to produce and makes them immediately recognisable among the usual collection of Robustos, Coronas and Toros.

Felipe Gregorio is the work of Philip Wynne, an American cigar entrepreneur who has spent decades exploring tobacco cultivation and cigar manufacture. His brand has developed a reputation for interesting tobacco selections, and the Classic range is a particularly good example of his enthusiasm for traditional cigar-making.

The tobacco composition is worth examining. The wrapper is Habano 92, the binder is Sun Grown Habano 44, and the filler is also Habano 92. It's a combination built around the character of Habano tobacco, rather than a complicated assortment of leaves chosen simply to make the specifications look impressive.

The Habano 92 wrapper gives the cigar its attractive golden-brown appearance, with natural veins and a gently textured surface. Beneath it, the sun-grown Habano 44 binder holds the filler together, contributing to the overall tobacco character.

With a medium-to-full strength classification, the Classic Belicoso sits towards the more substantial end of the spectrum. The emphasis here is on the tobacco itself, making it a cigar worth considering for those already familiar with fuller-bodied blends.

I've always had a soft spot for the Belicoso. Its pointed head allows a little discretion when cutting, as you can begin with a modest opening and enlarge it to suit your preference. A small detail, admittedly, but cigar enthusiasts tend to appreciate these things. We can spend twenty minutes discussing a fraction of an inch and consider it an afternoon well spent.

The presentation is equally traditional. Twenty-five cigars arrive individually wrapped in cellophane and arranged inside a natural wooden box. The inside lid bears the colourful Felipe Gregorio coat of arms, while the front is marked with the brand name and Belicoso designation.

A full box of twenty-five is a substantial addition to the humidor, particularly for somebody who has already enjoyed the Classic Belicoso individually and decided it deserves a permanent place in the collection.

And if you're wondering whether twenty-five cigars constitutes an excessive purchase, I can only say that I've seen considerably worse decisions made in Scarborough on a Saturday night.