The 5 Vegas brand (supposedly pronounced “Cinco Vegas”) has an interesting history even though it hasn’t been around very long. It was created in the boom years by World Cigars, Inc., and produced by Kiki Berger in Esteli, Nicaragua. The name evidently came from a story about 5 tobacco growers who came together to produce a single blend.
But like many of the Boom cigars it did not survive into the 21st century. Like Cupido, another of Berger’s blends I was fond of, 5 Vegas was eventually closed out. Keith Meier of Cigars International bought up the rest of the 5 Vegas inventory and scooped up the trademark while he was at it.
Today it is one of CI’s best selling brands, and the full bodied “Series A” line is getting a lot of attention. The old Nicaraguans are now gone, and I hear the new ones are now made by Nestor Plasencia in Honduras.
The information from CI is that this is a three-country blend, though it does not say which three countries, with the exception of the wrapper which is a Costa Rican maduro. It goes on to say that the tobaccos are aged for four years, and the cigars are aged six months further after they are rolled. They are then dressed up nicely in gold and black bands and wrapped in a sheath of cedar.
The various sizes in the Series “A” line are given names beginning with the letter A, as if they were children in a cute little family. The petite corona is called “Anomaly,” as if there were something abnormal about this particular child. Aside from the fact that it is a bit runty at 4 1/2 x 44, this anomaly is just abnormally rich and tasty. This kid may be small, but he’s feisty.
There’s a whole lot of nose-tingling spice in this little corona. It starts up fairly mellow with a rich full flavor– Costa Rican maduro is tough to beat — but soon the spice takes over and really makes a move. It does get a bit harsh toward the end and it has a fairly short finish at 25 minutes into the smoke. But at this point I must say I was thoroughly satisfied. Good construction and a great price at less than 3 USD makes this a must try. Maduro fans take note!
Cigarfan.net 
Nothing beats a great cheap smoke. I admit it makes me a little jealous that there are so many great little cigars in the U.S. that I can’t get my hands on at a moment’s notice. As a rule, you’re lucky if you pay less than 5 bucks for a stick in France… but there’s something really satisfying about paying less than 3 bucks for a great smoke.
Your description of it is eerily perfect. The tobacco flavor for this entire line is so rich its juicy. I also got a mouth tingling sensation from this. For a scaled down version of this try the Gold Series, also very juicy. Though the first inch of both of the Torpedoes I tried was terrible. May have been storing them wrong.
One of the best stogie that I can pull from by humdior and expect the flavor and taste of a big buck cigar. Good burn and wrapper, with that aged smoke bite to the backside of a mellow smoke.
One of the best that I keep count in my humidors.
These are my favorite. Put aside my Romeos, my Gurkhas and my Graycliffs. These are all I smoke.
The wrapper on this cigar is fantastic. These are hugely popular amongst maduro fans for a good reason. CI has a good thing going here.
The AAA. Is an exceptionally fine smoke also. my favorite along with Brazilian GO. And EP carillo dark rituals
I have no knowledge of cigars, but I do know my friend likes the 5 Vegas Series A.. suggestions of similar cigars i can buy him for the holiday…?
Try Partagas Black
You’ll end up spending a little more for other cigars with a similar flavor profile, but ones that come to mind are CAO Brazilia and Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve Maduro (expensive). The standard Padron Maduro might do the trick, or if you want to see him do backflips, the Padron Anniversary Maduro (also expensive, and hard to find, but incredible). A little more on the budget side are the Indian Tabac Super Fuerte Maduro, Mayorga Maduro, or the Sabor Cubano. Just some thoughts… You could also go to your local tobacconist and ask him for something “medium to full in body, slightly spicy, in a maduro wrapper.”
Hope that helps!
perfect call
I reviewed the 5 Vegas Series ‘A’ Artisan, and placed a link to your review there as well. I thought it was quite agreeable.