First Look: Carlos III Cafe con Leche Poderoso

March 1999

Filler tobacco type and origin: blend of tobaccos from Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua
Binder tobacco type and origin: Pennsylvania
Wrapper tobacco type and origin: Barber poll combination of Ecuadorian grown Connecticut seed and Indonesian grown English Market Selection

Where rolled: Danli, Honduras

Tobacco aging: 2-3 years
Cigar aging after rolling: Minimum of two months (see aging note below)

Qty rolled/month: 5,000
Release date: April 1999

Sizes/Style: Figurado shaped, 7 x 60
MSRP: $110.00/box of 20

Positioning: The goal of Carlos III was to "focus on the antique shapes and size, but keeping the taste as most important. Like a Cuban cigar, with richness and strength and complex flavors." The company sells its' products direct, mostly online. This helps keep the costs down and allows the owner, Carl Mott III to maintain closer contact with his customers: "I get feedback right away. If something is wrong I know about and can fix it right away."

Aging: When asked about aging, Mott says that while the tobacco is all aged for two to three years, the cigars are only aged for a couple of months to let the ammonia escape. "It is a business decision," Mott says. "We are a small company. If we tie up our money in aging the cigars, we have less money to spend on the tobacco quality and blends." Mott says the Poderosos seem to reach their peak after eight to ten months of aging and the Cubanitos peak around four months. Though these times are not firm, since the cigars are relatively new.

Find out more

First Look: Cubanitos Cafe con Leche
First Look: Huevo de Cuba
First Look: El Perfecto Cubano

Interview: Carl Mott III
Carlos III company website