Viaje WLP Candela (L-R), Viaje Exclusivo Short (Center)

Well fresh out of the humidor of Outland Cigars in Charlotte, North Carolina are two of the most sought after releases from the folks at Viaje Cigars.  These are the Viaje WLP Candela – and the Viaje Exclusivo Short.  Yes folks, we are in full swing of the Spring release cycle in the Cigar Industry.

Viaje recently rose above many “indie” cigar makers by getting Cigar Aficionado’s #2 Cigar for 2010.  However Viaje has already been long distinguishing themselves from their competition.    Viaje has been employing a “micro batch” process for many of its cigar releases.  Namely, it is producing the majority of its boxes in small batches (i.e. under 500 boxes) for a release.   Once the batches are gone, so is the cigar – although the cigar has been known to make a comeback in a new vitola (as is the case with the Exclusivo Short). The other thing is that the cigars are very good.  The majority of these micro-batch releases have been memorable smokes.   This micro-batch release is the vision of company head Andre Farkas.  There are some fans of this concept and there are some detractors.

First up the Viaje WLP Candela.  WLP stands for “White Label Project”.   This has also been called the “St Patrick’s Day” cigar for its candela wrapper.   As always with Farkas and Viaje, they keep pretty tight-lipped on the blend.   What we do know is that this is a Candela wrapper with a Nicaraguan Binder and Filler.  It is available in one size – a 5 x 50 Robusto.   This is part of the larger Viaje WLP line.

The Viaje Exclusivo Short is a new vitola to the Exclusivo line.  Information was just as sketchy for this one as the Viaje WLP Candela.  This also uses Nicaraguan binder and filler but comes with a Nicaraguan Criollo wrapper.  The size doesn’t excite me as it is a small cigar – a 4.25 x 42.

I have these cigars in my possession.   I am letting them get a little age and will be reporting on them soon.

Update (3/4/11): The Viaje WLP Candela has been reviewed by me – click here.
Update (5/15/11): The Viaje Exclusivo Short has been reviewed by me – click here.

As always, if my information is wrong, feel free to correct me.