Vegas de Santiago D8 Corto: A cigar of perfect proportions

Sometimes you can tell that different cigars have been crafted at the same factory. This is exactly what I noticed when I smoked the D8 Corto by Marc Niehaus from his Vegas de Santiago factory. This is the man behind the Skull 77 cigars, and that same care and attention to detail that was put into making those cigars, he been put into the D8 cigar line. Coming in at 4 by 60, the Vegas de Santiago D8 Corto is similar in stature to the Skull 77 El Nino, Inca Secret Blend Bombaso and NUB 460. Small it might be, but do not underestimate this delicious little beauty.

The biggest difference between this cigar and the others that I have mentioned is the closed foot. The wrapper was beautifully smooth and the cigar felt firm and evenly packed from head to foot. Aromas of cocoa enticed me to cut and light the D8 Corto and this was further encouraged by the toffee and bay leaf that I tasted on the beautifully easy cold draw.

Upon lighting the cigar, I got a good hit of pepper spice which subsided to reveal a juicy apple flavour. I initially put this down to my choice of a dry cider to pair with it, but then I realised that I had yet to take a sip from my drink. After touching up the foot a few draws in (I hadn’t fully lit the closed foot), the pepperiness died down allowing the apple to reveal itself more prominently partnered with warm fresh toast notes.

As I came to the end of the first third, the flavour profile started to change subtly. Taking a big draw and savouring the creamy but light smoke, I picked up hints of floral honey. A gentle sweetness had entirely replaced the initial pepperiness and my interest was very much piqued as I wondered what other surprises this delicious Vegas de Santiago cigar had in for me.

My entry into the middle third of the cigar was heralded by a smooth cocoa flavour. The floral notes were still present, as was a hint of honey on my lips. By this time I, and the other people enjoying the Vegas de Santiago D8 with me were all admiring my lovely two and a half inch stack of ash. Despite the uneven light at the start, the cigar had burnt perfectly. Not wanting to take the risk of dropping ash everywhere, I gently rolled it off into my ashtray, where it remained intact.

I was met by a return to the opening spiciness in the final third. This was accompanied by a darkening and intensifying of the overall flavour signalling a build up of nicotine and smoke. I decided that a purge and blow-through were in order, and after a display of blue, red and purple flames, the flavour returned to its opening cleanness.

This really was a delicious cigar and I have to give a big shout out to Rebellion Cigars for sorting out the September monthly cigar for Cigar Club LDN as well as to Marc Niehaus for spending his Sunday evening with the club on our virtual herf as we quizzed him about his cigar.

Did you know my website is entirely self-funded? I currently do this as a labour of love and am not sponsored by or affiliated to any of the cigar brands or retailers featured in my content. If you enjoy what you read here, please consider contributing to my next cigar review or article by donating an amount through my Buy Me a Coffee page. Thank you so much for your support x

Vegas de Santiago D8 Corto Cigar Details