The Crux Limitada is a cigar filled with mystery and exclusivity. This annual release is limited to only 1,000 boxes, comes packaged in just a few vitolas, and like every year since its inception, comes covered in a wrapper leaf that is exclusive to this specific limited-release line from Crux Cigars.

This exclusive cigar wrapper is pulled from a specialty crop called Engañoso. From what we've been able to glean, this rare strain was cultivated down in Estelí, Nicaragua many years ago, and to keep from burning through it at a rapid rate, Crux has been slowly but surely using the leaf on a controlled, annual basis. 

With a USA-grown Connecticut Broadleaf binder beneath, a mixture of Dominican and Nicaraguan long-filler bunched inside, and Plasencia-grade levels of manufacturing on hand, this rare release seems like a sure-fire stogie success story. Oh, and then there's the "Short Salomone" figurado vitola, which in our eyes is the most appealing and enjoyable offering, and is what we stock here at Klaro.  

[Buy 5-Pack]

Unlit Impressions 

Looking good has never felt so effortless when this stogie is in hand. Crux might add an extra "e" to the end for no apparent reason, but the traditional look of the salomon vitola is always good in our eyes. Firmly bunched, but not very oily upon contact, the feel of this smoke is all Plasencia all the way. And while the faux carbon fiber print on the band doesn't do much for my eye, it is clean in appearance and has just enough gold accentuation.

Both cigar bands did have a touch too much glue though, which caused the wrapper to rip in the split area between the two. This seems to be a common concern with Crux's bands, as I encountered the same in one of the Crux Epicure Maduro smokes as well.

Banding bungle brought out into the light, it's time to talk about that ultra-rare Engañoso wrapper leaf, which likely is a hybrid of some sort. To the naked eye, it seems like a crossbreed between a Colorado Rosado and a traditional Havana 2000 strain, both in its aroma and appearance. It's a little red, but far more brown in color, with some mottling and a mild tacky feel to the surface that showcases some hidden tooth beneath the surface. 

Smells are somewhere in the middle of that mixture too, with rich, red tobacco spice and sweet sorghum, with some sun-grown woodiness being the primary notes I detect underneath. There's a little rum raisin spice on the nose from the foot, but just barely, and it smells earthy and dark, likely due to the Connecticut Broadleaf binder beneath. 

Cold draws take the sorghum funk and woody top notes to another level, and add a tack or two of light leather and cinnamon and all-spice to it. 

Initial Smoke 

The foot of this figurado lights and burns beautifully, forming a dine ash that will soon stay for the remainder of the next two hours or so. Toasty oak tastes, mineral, oiled leather, and a tad of tropical spice make the sweet and sour sorghum and sun-grown flavors feel deep and rewarding.

1st Half   

Mineral notes and a salty, near-meaty taste take on a personality all of their own before long, and it is here that things get really interesting. Sorghum still sends your senses the sugary funk it craves, but beyond that, there is the flavor of salted roasted meats grilling over an open flame. Thoughts shift toward the barbecue grill, and I wonder to myself, "If this smoke were readily available, it could be one of those BBQ cigar blends."

Strength is mild-medium at the moment, while body, flavor, and finish are all medium, with retrohales picking up more leather and spice, before sending you some tasty tannin notes. 

2nd Half 

As spiced cola tastes touch-off the fireworks that are the second half, I seriously start to wonder if this may be one of the smoothest cigars I've smoked all year. There are no sharp edges, sudden changes, or imbalanced flavor formations. 

Balsa wood lightens up the latter part of the second third, and makes the cigar seem lighter, when it should be getting heavier. It's a spiced cola flavor one moment, dry mixed nuts the next, and dry rub BBQ under it all. 

Parting Puffs    

Dark meat char and sticky BBQ sauce might strike at the last moment, but anything prior to that climax is all smoked hardwood and rich soil. The Broadleaf binder really blooms in this bit, building some strong soil and richer, darker leather-like notes.

Drying sensations from those woody tannins skip about alongside some nicotine, which seem a bit strange at first, but settle into a cleansing concoction before things go full-blown pit barbecue on you. 

Ash / Burn / Smoke / Draw

Pure and simple perfection. All of the words beginning with the letter "P" in the previous sentence represent this blend beautifully. There truly was nothing wrong with any section of either cigar in this category, and I could not have been more pleased with how cool both sticks burned and the smoke they formed. 

Final Thoughts  

The day after filming this review, I found myself reminiscing over this blend, and questioning my abilities as a presenter. For if it were up to me, Morgan Freeman would have reviewed this cigar instead of my happy ass. Hell, if Morgan Freeman were a cigar he'd be a Crux Limitada.

Distinguished, calm, completely in control, and refined without being overly pompous, this blend sits at the upper echelon of stardom. And like Mr. Freeman, this super rare blend from Crux Cigars is one that I would enjoy the company of any given day if possible. 

Flavor, Aroma & Transitions

Depth & Complexity

Construction, Burn & Physical Appeal

Backstory & Branding

Overall Balance & Repeatability

Stogie Specs

Cigar	Crux "Limitada 2023 Edition"
Wrapper	Engañoso (Nicaragua)
Binder	Connecticut Broadleaf (USA)
Filler	Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
Factory	Nicaragua
Size	6" x 54 "Short Salomone"
Strength	Medium
Pairing Drink	Cassis and Lime Homemade Soda
Rating	4.7/5