If you judge a cigar by its first inch then this one ain't for you. My Father always told me the first inch was enough toโฆ nevermind. The Sucesor (Spanish for "successor") is the 2024 limited edition follow-up to the original Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial that debuted back in 2009 at a NYC event where it was so well-received they decided to actually give it a name and keep making it. Fifteen years later, Jaime Garcia and his legendary father Don Pepin Garcia have released this "limited edition" that somehow ended up on every retailer's shelf faster than your buddy's crypto advice. The cigar was announced via a Facebook post with all the fanfare of a dental appointment reminder, which is either refreshingly humble or a sign that even My Father knows this one needs time to open up.
๐ฅ THE VITALS ๐ฅ
Cigar: Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Sucesor LE 2024 Toro
Master Blender: Jaime Garcia & Jose "Don Pepin" Garcia
Size: 6" x 56 (Toro, Box-Pressed)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sumatra-seed (Colorado)
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: ~$14.00 MSRP
Strength: Medium
๐ WE ARE LIT!
Draw: Slightly too loose
Burn: Reasonably straight
Smoke Output: Respectable
Ash: Holds decently
The Nicaraguan Sumatra-seed wrapper presents in a red-hued Colorado shade that looks prettier than it smokes in the opening act. Construction is competent - this is a My Father operation after all, where quality control is tighter than your pants after Thanksgiving. The box-pressed format gives it that satisfying rectangular feel in hand, like holding a tiny tobacco briefcase full of disappointment that eventually becomes mild satisfaction. Two bands adorn this stick: the standard Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial band plus a secondary gold "Sucesor" identifier, because one band would be too subtle for a limited edition.
๐ข FLAVOR JOURNEY
FIRST THIRD: The Barnyard Awakening
manure, charred wood, earth, leather
Let's address the elephant in the room - or rather, the horse in the stable. The opening delivers manure, charred wood, earth, and leather. Yes, manure. That barnyard funk hits the palate like walking into a petting zoo you didn't sign up for. The charred wood tries to class things up while earth and leather play supporting roles to the agricultural main event. This is the cigar equivalent of a first date who shows up 20 minutes late and immediately starts talking about their ex. The Sumatra-seed wrapper that one reviewer said the industry needs to "get away from" is doing exactly nothing to help the cause here. Push through or put it down - your call.
SECOND THIRD: The Redemption Arc
earth, vanilla, espresso, charred oak
And here's where the Sucesor starts earning its name. Earth remains the foundation but vanilla emerges like a peace offering after the barnyard assault. Espresso notes develop alongside charred oak, creating actual complexity rather than just confusion. The profile smooths considerably, transforming from "what did I pay for" to "okay, I see what you're doing." This is the middle chapter where the protagonist finally gets their act together - took long enough but we're here now. The medium body settles into a comfortable groove that suggests Jaime and Pepin know what they're doing when the tobacco cooperates.
FINAL THIRD: The Predictable Conclusion
earth, roasted coffee, charred wood, leather
Earth continues its through-line dominance while roasted coffee steps in to replace the vanilla sweetness. Charred wood returns alongside leather for a closing act that's perfectly adequate if entirely unsurprising. The profile has stabilized into something drinkable but not memorable - like ordering the house red at a steakhouse because you forgot to look at the wine list. No harshness, no fireworks, just a cigar doing cigar things until the nub. The Sucesor finishes exactly where you'd expect from a stick that spent its first third making you question your purchase.
๐ THE VERDICT:
C+ TIER
Flavor: C+
Construction: B
Availability: A
Price: B-
Final Rating: C+ TIER
The Sucesor proves that limited edition doesn't always mean elevated experience - it survives its rough opening to deliver a passable middle and forgettable finish.
๐ BOTTOM LINE
The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Sucesor LE 2024 Toro is a tale of patience rewarded with mediocrity. That first third barnyard funk is a genuine deterrent that will send casual smokers running for the hills, while the second third redemption arc doesn't quite reach the heights needed to justify the journey. At $14, you're paying My Father prices for a cigar that performs like it's still figuring out what it wants to be when it grows up. The A availability rating means you won't struggle to find these, which tracks - limited editions that sit on shelves usually have a reason. Grab the Torpedo with its Habano wrapper instead, or just buy regular Jaime Garcia and skip the 2024 experiment entirely.
TLDR: A limited edition that opens like a livestock auction, recovers into competence, and finishes without distinction - proof that succession planning doesn't always produce heirs worth celebrating.
