Florida Man

Raymond Pages is the best young tobacco man we've seen since discovering AJ Fernandez in a small bodega back in 2008. Which is fitting, as Raymond (AJ's brother in law), immigrated from Cuba to Nicaragua and became his protege and top blender. Flash forward several years and today Raymond runs the Tabacalera Pages factory. He is already no doubt one of the most talented cigar makers in Esteli. Florida Man is among his finest, a smooth-as-silk, elegant, and refined masterpiece that hits all the marks. Packaging wise, Florida Man bands are beautiful, an homage to Ernest Hemingway's 'The Old Man and The Sea' with gorgeous matching boxes, and the size names nod to Papa's life and time spent in Key West.

The cigar itself is the real story. Florida Man is crafted with a lovely Connecticut wrapper that's oozing with a golden sheen, buttery smooth looking with some fine veins. Like all Raymond-made blends, it brings flawless construction including an ash that stays solid damn near halfway through the smoke. Almost medium-bodied, it's on the medium side of mild to medium for sure, with enough oomph to stay extremely interesting but without the slight bitterness often associated with Connecticut Shade. There is some nice spice on the lips and touch of pepper that you may not expect along with a pronounced floral note. Very interesting, complex, refined, pepper and some creaminess, with nuanced notes that ebb and flow from head to foot. This beautiful baby burns slowly and deliberately, making for a pleasing, full hour long ride perfect any time of day.

Our staff of cigar nuts compares Florida Man favorably to Perdomo Champagne, Arturo Fuente, CAO Gold, Cohiba Connecticut, and Ave Maria Immaculata in terms of cost and flavor profile.

Other great brands by Raymond Pages: Last of My Kind, Penn Standard, Hoofty, Antihero