Villiger 'La Capitana' Robusto. 4.75x52. Medium brown wrap. Decent construction with straight lines, some prominent veins and ends. Footer tapers to a box press. Cut well. Light took a few extra rounds but roasted well once lit.

First half tastes of bright herbal spice, earthy tones on fresh leaf. Second half tastes of leather, light wood, almond. Slight bitter finish toward the band. Full body. Aroma is roasted hard wood. Ash was light gray, chunky, flaky. Burn was uneven in the first half, evening out mid point.

This is a nice bright session smoke, strong for its shade with plenty of spice and fresh tobacco taste. The build quality was not pristine but worthy with a decent burn. Far from world class, but still a nice 45-minute smoke that has some nice quality. Mildly recommended.

From the company:

"Oh captain, my captain. The Villiger legacy can be traced all the way back to 1888, and even in present day the company is family owned and operated. La Capitana is hand-rolled with perfection, while keeping great focus on quality. La Capitana features a luscious dark chocolate colored Habano-seed Colorado wrapper overtop a bold mix of Nicaraguan long-fillers. Notes of spice and citrus with a slight hint of chocolate are present in good measure, and the overall flavor experience is bold and eventful. This Nicaraguan puro is powerful and memorable, much like the mighty sea. Set sail to flavor town and enjoy smooth sailing from here on out."
[source: cigarsinternational.com]

Villiger 'Export Natural' Maduro. 4x37. Medium brown box wrap. Wrap is mostly straight, smoothed seams, with the exception of a couple of largely pronounced veins. No cut needed since the cigar is open-ended. Lit very easily. Medium draw pre-light, effortless draw soon after.

First half tastes of dank leaf, tangy herbal notes, flat pepper on the exhale. Second half is a little more round herbal, leather, brighter tobacco notes. Charred wood emerges toward the end. Medium body. Ash is marbled well, holding at an inch. Burn was mostly even across.

This is a nice value smoke, a cigarillo that bends expectations: mild for a Maduro, thick for a cigarillo, excellent far beyond its price point. It has dark dank tobacco taste with a somewhat tangy botanical aftertaste that's herbal, leafy. Not a bad way to spend a half-hour break. A good little smoke from Switzerland. Well recommended.

From the company:

"Villiger Export round and pressed is a cigar with a balanced, pronounced Havana blend. The high-quality Maduro wrapper rounds off the tangy taste. This small Havana is a value-for-money alternative. Mellow and flavorful, Villiger cigarillos and little cigars are made in Switzerland and available in American, allowing cigar lovers to experience the smoothness of Villiger."

[source: thompsoncigar.com]


"Villiger Sons Limited was established in 1888 by Jean Villiger in the small town of Pfeffikon, Switzerland, where Villiger remains headquartered to this day. All Villiger cigars are Machine made in Switzerland with only the finest select Cuban-seed tobaccos from the world's most fertile growing regions. Whether you choose the box pressed and nutty tasting Villiger Export or the rustic Villiger Kiels with the unmistakable mouthpiece, you will definitely enjoy these tasty cigars. Light up a Villiger today and enjoy a relaxing time-out from your busy day."
[source: jrcigars.com]