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Quick Take
The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011 is a big, full-bodied maduro that opens with a punch of spice, smooths out beautifully in the middle, and finishes strong — if you can keep it lit. It earned a 91/100 from me and nearly knocked me sideways after lunch, so don’t say I didn’t warn you. At $16 a stick it’s not an everyday smoke, but it’s absolutely one you need to try before they’re gone.
Initial Thoughts
I picked up the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011 after seeing it in my local B&M. They had it packaged together with some other sticks that made up the top 10 cigars for 2011 as judged by Cigar Aficionado. I didn’t want to buy the whole package so instead I sought this stick on out in the shop. Turns out it’s fairly pricey at $16 per smoke. But I figured what the heck I’ll get it this time just to see what a top 10 cigar tastes like.Looks
When I look at the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011 I see a bohemoth comparable to what David saw when he was about to enter his legendary battle with Goliath. Luckily I had my double guilottine cutter and a box of matches to take down this giant. At 6.5″ and a 52 RG wrapped in a Maduro wrapper I had to sit this cigar down and go inside and put on my big boy pants before I attacked this thing. I was excited yet scared at the same time. Looking up and down at this deep maduro wrapper there were no dominate veins only small bumps that glistened when they were struck by sunlight. The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011 had a beautiful triple cap on the head. I actually sat and marveled it for a few seconds and was in awe of the craftsmanship. I’m always a fan of Limited Edition cigars even when they don’t turn out to be that great like the “La Trompeta” I still tend to relish in their scarcity. This cigar had a beautiful double band surrounding the barrel. The bands were both similar in size and color. My only issue with the bands are that they went a little too far down the barrel. For me it interferes with smoking because I like to save the bands without having to tear them off unfortunately I had to tear the lower band off of this one. The bands were blue and gold in color and gave off a very regal appearance. They meet in the middle and almost like an extension of one another. In case you haven’t picked up on it yet, I’m a big fan of the look of this cigar.
Function
Looks are great, but as Kicking Bird from Dances with Wolves would say “How does it smoke?”. I nipped the cap off and destroyed the artfully crafted triple cap that I mentioned early. I tested the dry draw and was able to pull air through the barrel perfectly. There was zero resistance on this smoke.
Smoking
The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011 took to my matches without any issue whatsoever. The first draw was absolutely incredible. Full of rich white smoke this cigar has taken off like a steam engine pulling away from the station. I get it pumping pretty good and then lay it down to rest and cool off. I love to watch the smoke float off the wrapper in a small straight line and then just vanish into the air.
Flavor
On the pre draw the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011 had a very subtle tobacco flavor. It was hard to pull out the flavor right away I had to take quite a few drags off of it to really pick it out.
Would I Buy It Again?
Without a doubt, even though the price tag is a little high at $16 a stick this is a great cigar to have in your humidor.Is It an Every Day Smoke?
I don’t believe so, with the full bodied flavor and the size of this cigar it’s just too much to smoke everyday unless you’re just a beast.Would I Buy a Box?
I would, a box of 16 is around $215 which is a little steep, but it’s a great smoke to have around for those times when you want a full body pleasurable cigar.Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011?
This thing is full-bodied and then some. I smoked it after a big lunch and still ended up lightheaded with a serious nicotine buzz by the end — and full-bodied cigars don’t usually hit me like that.
What are the flavor notes of the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011?
You get a strong spice upfront that fades about halfway through the first third, then the flavor smooths out into something really pleasant through the middle. The spice comes back toward the final third if you can get past the relight.
Where can I buy the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011?
I found mine at my local brick-and-mortar, where it was part of a Cigar Aficionado Top 10 package. It’s a limited edition, so availability will vary — check your local shop and don’t sleep on it if you see one.
How much does the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011 cost?
Around $16 per stick, which I’ll admit made me hesitate. A box of 16 runs about $215. Not cheap, but I’d still buy a box.
What bourbon pairs well with the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011?
Eric doesn’t mention a specific bourbon pairing in this review, so we won’t make one up — but check the pairing notes below for his best guesses based on what this cigar actually tastes like.
Where to Buy Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011
Average retail: ~$16 per stick. Prices vary by retailer.
| Retailer | Price | Availability | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Famous Smoke Shop | ~$16/stick | ✅ In Stock | Shop Now → |
| Cigars International | ~$16/stick | ⚠️ Check Stock | Shop Now → |
| Amazon (samplers) | Varies | ✅ Available | Search Amazon → |
Stogies on the Rocks may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Best Bourbon Pairings for the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011
As a full-bodied, high-strength Nicaraguan torpedo, the Cojonu 2006 demands a bourbon with presence. Here are our top three pairings based on complementary flavor profiles.
#1 — Knob Creek 9 Year
Knob Creek 9 Year’s bold oak and natural sweetness should stand up to the Jaime Garcia’s full body and front-end spice without either one bullying the other off the porch.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#2 — Old Forester 1920
Old Forester 1920’s rich, high-proof intensity matches the sheer power of this maduro, and its dark baking spice character echoes the cigar’s own spice notes nicely.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#3 — Russell’s Reserve
Russell’s Reserve’s smooth, mellow sweetness would make a good counterbalance to the strength and spice here — especially once the flavor settles into that pleasant middle third.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →Pairing suggestions based on the Stogies on the Rocks flavor profile scoring system. Browse all bourbon reviews →
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Conclusion
If you’ve ever been curious about the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011 I would suggest you go and pick one up if you can find them. It’s one of those cigars that people will constantly compare other sticks to and you’re doing yourself and your palate an inservice if you don’t smoke this one before it disappears.
Cuba
