Marevas - By Gellis Family Cigars
- Jay Grubby
- Aug 10
- 2 min read
The Leaf
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Factory not disclosed
Wrapper: Ecuador Corojo '99
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic Piloto Cubano, Dominican San Vicente, Nicaraguan Jalapa Corojo '99
Size: 5 1/8 x 43
Body: Medium
Strength: Medium
Purchased At: Creekside Cigar Co.
Rating: 7.5 / 10 – A Solid Companion
If you enjoy this, you might also like: Rojas Bluebonnets, Tatuaje Black, Illusione Original Documents.
What We Do Here
The beauty of cigars isn’t just in the smoke; it’s in the ritual, the memory, and the lore. Each review starts with the basics: how it smokes, how it tastes, and whether it’s worth lighting up again or buying a box. For those who crave the full story, we peel back the layers. We explore deeper notes, subtleties, and the craft behind the leaf. At the end, we leave you with a little folklore to match the mood. Because around here, the smoke always carries a story.
Casual Take
This cigar presents itself as a trim, elegant smoke. You’ll notice musty oak, toasted marshmallow sweetness, and a gentle herbal mint lift. It’s not flashy, but it’s smooth and approachable. This is the kind of cigar you reach for when you want an easygoing hour without overthinking.
Deep Burn
From the first light, a familiar mustiness and toasted oak lead the way, evoking the character of an old wood-paneled library. The oak briefly drifts into cedar before settling back, joined by the soft sweetness of burnt marshmallow and creamy tobacco.
Midway through, the profile gains a subtle herbal mint note. It keeps things fresh without distracting from the core flavors. Unexpected, but very welcome! The burnt marshmallow and sweet tobacco notes linger, with a subtle pepper on the retrohale.
In the final third, that pinch of black pepper sharpens up, giving a little edge to the sweetness and earth. The Marevas never shifts into high gear, but that’s part of its charm. It keeps a steady, medium-bodied pace the whole way through. Dependable, enjoyable, and clean. Outside of that mint surprise, you won’t find many curveballs here.
The Heart of the Leaf
The Gellis Marevas plays in the classic, understated lane. With a small ring gauge and balanced profile, it invites conversation more than contemplation. It doesn’t aim to overwhelm; rather, it’s chasing that “Cubanesque” feel—familiar, refined, and comfortable. While it won’t wow you with fireworks, it’s the kind of cigar you’ll come back to if you enjoy petite formats, consistent Corojo '99 flavor, and a reliable burn. Scoring a 7.5 - A Solid Companion!
The Lore
In Cuban folklore, the Duende is a mischievous spirit said to live among the sugarcane fields and tobacco barns. It slips in and out of sight like a wisp of smoke. Farmers claimed the Duende could bless a harvest with sweetness or curse it with rot, depending on how it was treated.
The musty oak and marshmallow sweetness of the Marevas feel like a cigar touched by the Duende’s gentler hand. Grounded in earth, lifted by that playful herbal freshness, and carrying just enough pepper to remind you that even in kindness, the spirit’s touch has a bit of mischief.
The cigar in this review was paid for by me.
