La Aurora Preferidos Maduro Review

Preferidos #2 Maduro
Made by: La Aurora
Country: Dominican Republic, Brazil
Vitola: 5 by 54

These cigars often get overlooked because of how long they have been around. I have to say it has been a while since I have visited these. One difference to take into account is that this is a review of the non-tubo version of the Preferidos. The tubos are significantly more expensive, which makes these a good buy. Lets see if that holds true with a La Aurora Preferidos Maduro Review, but keep in mind this is just one of the offerings that La Aurora puts out.

Prelight

Nice tooth to the wrapper, medium sized veins. Visible seams and the perfecto shape has been absolutely “perfected” by this company since 1903 as it says on the band. The foot is showing lots of pepper and heavy barnyard. The prelight draw has above average resistance, no doubt due to the shape. The notes off the draw are heavy molasses and black pepper. I am expecting heavy cream in the profile as well. Let’s get this lit up.

1/3

Lighting this was easy, good smoke production, it opened up pretty quickly. Sweet molasses on the front with bitter macadamia nut and black pepper on the finish. There is a strong bitter note near the finish. There is a dry hay coming up on the front coming up slowly. Interesting, the foot had leaf wrapped over the wrapper leaf. I believe the sweet molasses was coming from that, as I am getting to the end of that “exterior wrapper leaf” the molasses is dropping and being replaced by the dry hay. Bitter macadamia nut and black pepper remain on the finish. Smoke production is increasing as the burn reaches a wider ring gauge. Body is at a medium and strength is at a low. It’s odd that that added foot wrapper played an important role in the first third. Previous times smoking this cigar I had not noticed that.

2/3

Dry hay remains on the front, and then the profile moves to bitter macadamia nut and black pepper. Good burn line and the ash is holding on wonderfully, smoke production is up and the draw is perfect now. This is a cigar whose profile could break through a heavy drink pairing. The hay and bitter macadamia nut could still be picked out after a glass of bourbon. Body remains at a medium and strength has moved to a low to medium. The only real change to note is black pepper has come up as I get to the end of the second third. Great burn for a figurado. Also, I tapped the ash right at the halfway point just to be safe. Impressed that it made it that far.

3/3

Unfortunately I did get a little crack/pop in the wrapper, not a major issue but worth noting. Oak has come up on the front as the hay has dropped, the finish has been consistent the entire cigar with bitter macadamia nut and black pepper. That bitter note and black pepper have been a good characteristic. Body stayed at a medium the whole cigar and strength stayed at low to medium. Overall a solid cigar.

Smoke Time: 55 minutes

Conclusion: 85

This cigar is stable and had good notes while leaving some room for improvement. However, at its price point, and for what you’re getting its spot on. The flavors, while not super complex, are enjoyable throughout the cigar. The construction is good for a figurado. Wonderfully thick smoke and overall a relaxing cigar, worth keeping around for events or an afternoon by the pool. When I think about this cigar “Island life” comes to mind, something to do with the perfecto shape and the big lion on the front.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com