Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ Maduro Lancero Review

Series JJ Maduro
Made by: Don Pepin Garcia
Country: Nicaraguan
Vitola: 6 7/8 by 42 (Lancero)

The cigar is pretty hard to find in a lancero vitola. This was part of the Lancero’s collection by Don Pepin Garcia. The production on those was estimated at 1000 boxes, suggesting this is one of 1000 cigars released.  Let’s see what the cigar has to offer with the Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ Maduro Review.

Prelight

The wrapper of the cigar is very toothy and has plenty of medium size veins. Barely visible seams and an exceptionally well done pigtail cap. The foot is giving off traditional notes, cocoa and mixed pepper both very strong. My expectations for the cigar are high. The tooth suggests very thick creamy smoke that I expect to play into the profile alongside the cocoa notes. Perfect cut and a very peppery prelight draw. White pepper on the front followed by a black pepper. There is a slight bitter cocoa on the finish. There is a good amount of resistance on the draw, hoping that it opens up once lit.

1/3

There is a ton of slightly better cocoa on the front it is delicious. Pepper is detectable on the retrohale, and it is faint on the finish. There is a light cedar right before the mix pepper finish. But the slightly bitter cocoa is so robust it dominates the profile at this point. Full-bodied and low strength at this point. The smoke is very creamy, but it cannot contend with the cocoa at this point. The tooth is visible in the ash, and there are no issues with the draw it is perfect now. With eight years of age on this, it is smoking amazingly. I feel like I’m smoking a piece of dark chocolate, there is a note coming up on the finish somewhere between white pepper, leather, and cedar. The best part of this profile is the front by far. Strength seems to be rising to a low to medium and I expect it to rise further. As the first third comes to an end the finish is distinctly spiced gum drops. And it tastes amazing.

2/3

The cigar dropped the spiced gum drop taste. The front maintains a slightly bitter Cocoa and the finish is now a light white pepper. Good burn, not super straight but no issues. The ashes falling off in about inch chunks. The body is down to a medium now, and the strength is at a low to medium still. There is a floral no coming up just behind the cocoa, it’s actually quite strong and clean. Interesting transition, I will be interested to see if the cigar holds this flavor. At the end of the second third there’s a black pepper mixing with the floral note creating an interesting flavor that I cannot say I’ve tasted before.

3/3

At the start of the last third, the slightly bitter cocoa note and the floral note are dancing. Great balance, the cigars finishing off very nicely. Still medium to full body and medium strength. No issues with burn, although I did ask him myself once. It would be a good move to ash this cigar at an inch just in case. As the cigar reached the nub a black pepper came in to play with the floral note again. And the cocoa note came back up to control the front.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes

Conclusion: 89

This actually ended up being a pretty consistent stick. And I have no issue with that because the flavors were delicious, but it did lose points in the transition area because of this. There was the one main transition of the floral note coming up in the second third. Great cigar, if you have the opportunity to smoke one of these go for it. Again thank you to My Father for everything that they have done for Anthony Cigar Emporium over the years. And personally I hope your company releases these cigars again.

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

Crux Ninfamanic Review

Ninfamanic
Made by: Crux
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: 7 by 33 (Ninfa)

For a switch up I will be reviewing a lesser known cigar this time around. This size is an interesting one long and skinny, 32 ring gauge skinny. I am a fan of the lancero vitola due to the fact that they bring out the wrapper notes so much. I hope this keeps to that, let’s see what it has to offer with a Crux Ninfamanic Review.

Prelight

I have never had a cigar in this size before. Both ends are closed into a perfecto point, and the wrapper is a gorgeous chocolate. Barely visible seams and only a few medium sized veins. I was told only to clip one side and light the other as is. Due to that, I am expecting a tight draw to begin. The crux company did a wonderful job on the band for the cigar, it really makes sure it gets in eye-catching point across. I am getting a floral note off of the wrapper, however it is difficult due to the fact it is closed foot. Clean-cut no issues with the cap. And just as I spec did I cannot get a prelight draw at all.

1/3

Extremely tight draw, the current flavor note is a sour toasted marshmallow. Talk about a unique flavor, the draw is opening up slowly. The front holds a bitter cashew followed by a distinct creaminess and finishing on a tangy jasmine like note. There is an oak mixed in with the creaminess after the cashew. So with that I think it is safe to say that this is an extremely complex smoke. The burn is not perfect by any means at this point. Still a very tight draw, but good smoke output. As the first third continues a distinct milk chocolate arises on the finish. The ash did not hold on for very long, as expected with this ring gauge. At the end of the first third the creaminess was coming up in the center of the profile. Medium bodied and low strength, if it was a larger ring gauge I feel like the body would be a medium to full. But due to the tight draw it’s only reaching a medium. Also the burn evened out and required no touchups at all.

2/3

As the second third begins the oak is developing in the center of the profile. Also there is a white pepper zing just coming up on the finish. The finish dropped the floral jasmine, but the milk chocolate is still present in place of that note. The profile still does start with the cashew though. Consistent at a medium body, the strength is rising slightly but only to a low to medium. The burn is not straight, but does not need touch ups. The tight draw is still holding and I do not expect it to change. As the end of the second third comes, the nuts in the front of the profile are developing. A milk chocolate and Oak hold the center of the profile.

3/3

As the cigar is coming to an end the woodsy the notes take off. The cashew is the only nut note left on the front of the profile. There is a cedar and a deep oak that occupy the center of the profile now. And it is still finishing on a light white pepper with a milk chocolate undertone. The body never rose above a medium, and the strength held at low to medium. Not the best burn, but an astounding mix of flavors, transitions, and complexity.

Smoke Time: 50 Minutes

Conclusion: 91

Wonderful blend, a great switch up from the rest of the cigars that I have been reviewing this week. The complexity was well-developed and really showed through the profile. The transitions were impressive considering the ring gauge of the stick. Great burn-time out of it. Absolutely deserving of the 91, I wish I could give it more however did lose points due to the draw and burn in the first third. I hope to smoke another line from crux in the near future.

Curivari Reserva Limitada Review

Reserva Limitada
Made by: Curivari
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: (Robusto) 5 by 50

Number three for Curivari week is the one I have been looking forward to the most. This cigar had the darkest wrapper of the three. Let’s see what this has to offer with a Curivari Reserva Limitada Review.

Prelight

This is yet another cigar where the roller went a little bit crazy with the glue. Beautiful tripled cap, all of the Curivari cigars this week have had solid construction. Visible seams, medium-sized veins and a good amount of them. Spotty rapper, and as for the pack, there are only a couple soft spots. The foot is giving off a sweet cocoa and an undertone of light fruit. Perfect cut, just a little bit of loose tobacco. The prelight draw reveals a sweet chocolate, and there is a bit of a subtle tangy note on the finish.

1/3

As the cigar begins, the body is a mild to medium, and the strength is at a low. The sweet chocolate is the primary flavor, and there is a light mixed pepper on the finish. Great smoke output, the cigar has a nice mouth feel as well. Not the most perfect burn, but no touch ups have been needed. As the first third progresses, there is a subtle fruit note rising in the background. It’s hard to pick out the fruit at this point because the chocolate is on the front strongly.

2/3

The body is up to a medium now. The fruit note is a mix of plum and a slightly acidic note, almost a verging on a citrus. Interesting flavor note, very balanced profile at this time. The strength is at a low but is rising slowly. There is still a pepper note at the end of the profile, and it is noticeable on the retrohale as well. The body is continuing to rise slowly, and the main sweet chocolate maintains the front, that mixed fruit note is playing into the flavors as well. The slight pepper finish rounds off the cigar very nicely.

3/3

As the cigar is coming to an end the fruit note is diminishing in the profile. The sweet cocoa maintains the front picking up a little bit of a bitter taste. This justifies the wording change from chocolate to cocoa. The pepper note on the finish is coming up, it is a mix of black and white pepper. The black pepper is higher in the mix. The body is still at a medium, and as I approach the nub the strength is rising but I would still put it at a low to medium. Again the balance in the cigar throughout the first and second thirds was great. It is just starting to drop its complexity.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Conclusion: 88

In comparison to the others reviewed this week it was a step above the Gloria de Leon and the Selection Privada. I would have appreciated the fruity note having more power in the profile. There was actually a sufficient amount of complexity in this blend. The transitions were fairly smooth, and the burn could have been a little bit better. I would’ve preferred a higher body and a drop in strength. But the cigar is obviously appealing to a different profile then my own. On that note, it does do a wonderful job at maintaining balance and presenting unique flavors. This is the best of the Curivari this week in my opinion.

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

Curivari Seleccion Privada Review

Seleccion Privada
Made by: Curivari
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 1/4 by 54

Number two for Curivari week, this cigar comes in at 6 1/4 inches by 54 ring gauge. It looks pretty similar to the previous “Leon” blend but I can tell from the foot the notes will be different. Let’s see what this has to offer with a Curivari Seleccion Privada Review.

Prelight

Again a wonderful cap, Curivari has really outdone themselves with the construction of the cigars. Visible seams, and just a few small veins. A lighter shade wrapper, and an even pack except for one soft spot near the cap. A cedar note is given off from the foot, with an undertone of mixed pepper. Again the construction of the cigars is proving to be flawless, no issues with the cut whatsoever. The pre-light draw shows a robust cedar, similar to what the foot was producing. Time to get this started.

1/3

Initially there’s a robust burst of cedar coming on the front. There is a slight white pepper finish, but it’s very subtle. More noticeable on the retrohale. As the first third for progresses there is a sweet cocoa note coming up on the front. However, the cedar is dominate. Mild to medium bodied, and low to medium smoke output. I would put the strength of a low at this point. There is a slight amount of harshness to the flavors, almost like it requires more aging.

2/3

The burn has been a little bit wonky but no touchups have been needed. That is a little bit different than what I was expecting, the construction of this brand is usually flawless. The sweet cocoa now has come up, I would almost call it a chocolate at this point. The body has risen as well but I would only put it at medium, strength is still at a low. The Cedar note is still dominant, and the white pepper finish remains subtle. The flavors seem to be balancing out toward the end of the second third.

3/3

As the last third starts to burn down there is a mixed nut note coming up on the front alongside the chocolate. Finally the profile is showing a little bit of complexity. As the cigar is coming to an end the white pepper finish has come up a little bit, and now includes a little bit of black pepper. The body is still at a medium, and the strength is at a low to medium. At the nub the Nuttiness and the chocolate are still on the front and the mixed pepper is still rounding out the profile. It was getting rather hot and squishy at the end, probably due to the soft spot I noted at the start of this review.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes

Conclusion: 84

While I was surprised to find that this was better than the Gloria de Leon, it did not surpass it by leaps and bounds. The complexity and transitions still left something to be desired. I am slowly discovering this brand may appeal to the everyday and consistent seeking cigar smokers. In which case it is right up their alley, in my opinion. The score does not justify the place that this cigar holds with this segment of cigar smokers. And that is simply due to the fact that it lacks the complexity, transitions, and highly developed flavor profile, that earns cigars higher scores. It did gain back some points in complexity due to its performance in the last third.

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

Gloria de Leon Review

Gloria De Leon
Made by: Curivari
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 3/4 by 54

The last Curivari I review was a solid everyday cigar. Great robust and traditional flavor notes. This is another cigar from the company, so I expect another cigar holding to the quality of the Achilles. Let’s see what this cigar has to offer with a Gloria de Leon Review.

Prelight

The first thing to notice on this cigar is the masterful way it is rolled. Beautiful triple cap, and even pack not overly firm. Visible seams and a thick sturdy wrapper. Small veins and a minimal amount of them. The foot is giving off a leather and cashew note, it does smell well balanced. There is a subtle note that is harder to pick out but I believe it maybe the mineral/salted nut flavor. Clean cut no cap issues, there was a bit of loose tobacco though. Very easy prelight draw and a very clean flavor the leather is noticeable as is a mixed pepper tingle.

1/3

Something I didn’t pick up while looking at this cigar is the tooth. There is a good amount of it, and there is a lot of smoke being produced with a thick creamy mouthfeel. The main flavor is a salted cashew with a undertone of cedar and a leather finish. The pepper is not very noticeable without retrohaling at this time. Very consistent cigar as I am making my way through the first third there has been no changes to the profile. Medium bodied and low strength at this time. There is a slight white pepper blended very smoothly into the flavors that is enhancing the woodsy note in between the nuttiness and the leather. Very even burn, no construction issues. As the first third comes to an end the cedar, cashew, and white pepper are well blended on the front and a dry leather is the finish.

2/3

As the second third begins the cedar is coming up in the mix of blended flavors on the front and the leather continues to round out the profile. And just as I was getting use to that the salted cashew can back up over the cedar. This is a cigar that blended notes are fighting for dominance on the front, while the familiar finish stays consistent. Still medium body and low strength as I am reaching the end of the second third. The tooth is visible in the ash, but the creamy thick smoke hasn’t really played a large role in this cigars profile.

3/3

The body has risen slightly as this cigar is starting to come to an end but not enough to call a medium full. Medium body and I would put the strength at a low to medium now. The leather note is still rounding out the profile but the white pepper and the cedar notes have risen back up over the cashew. The flavor playground has been active the whole cigar with the main changes being on the front. No major switch-ups though, this cigar has been a consistent smoke with slight changes providing sufficient transitions to hold the smokers attention. The cigar continued this flavor battle to the nub where the white pepper had come up over the cedar and the salted cashew. The cedar was still detectable and it had acquired a hint of oak. The salted cashew was harder to detect at this point in the cigar.
Smoke Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Conclusion: 83

Not overly impressed, but it was a solid consistent and well-made cigar. Good burn time great mouth feel. Could have used more complexity and transitions. I will be doing 2 other Curivari blends this week, it will be interesting to see how they all stack up. This makes a good cold weather cigar much like the Achilles I have previously written on.

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

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo Box Pressed – Cigar Aficionado 2015 Cigar of the Year

A line of the very hip My Father boutique brand started by Jaime García to honor his father, José “Don Pepín” García, the My Father Le Bijou 1922 is a Nicaraguan puro (differing from the My Father which has a Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan leaves).   The My Father Le Bijou 1922 has a thick, leathery oscuro wrapper made by the García family from the Pelo de Oro varietal and is blended by Don Pepín to honor his father with a Le Bijou (the jewel) 1922 marker on a secondary band to the My Father.  The Le Bijou 1922 come dressed in white lacquered boxes.

According to Cigar Aficionado’s description of the regular production My Father Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo Box Pressed, which just won 2015 Cigar of the Year with a 97 rating:  “Some will say that box-pressing a cigar is only an aesthetic decision. But when the Garcias took this hearty, complex blend, rolled it into a torpedo shape and then gave it a pressing, the result stood out for its ability to deliver complex notes clearly and harmoniously… It takes a profound understanding of cigar tobaccos to create a smoke that conveys uncanny impressions of dark chocolate-covered raisins, savory leather and a sweet-and-salty finish that resonates on the palate.”  Only three sizes of the My Father Le Bijou 1922 are box-pressed, the 6 1/2 x 52 My Father Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo (regular production), the 4 1/2 x 50 Martino (Anthony’s Cigar Emporium 20^th anniversary 2014 store exclusive, see halfwheel.com article here, 500 boxes made) and the 6 x 46 Toro Fino (Honolulu Cigar Company 2015 store exclusive, see halfwheel.com article here, 300 boxes made).

In November 2014, Anthony’s Cigar Emporium based The Martino after the store-favorite regular production 4 1/2 x 50 Petite Robusto size but in a box pressed format like the My Father Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo Box Pressed which shows off the impeccable construction from My Father Cigars S.A., in Estelí, Nicaragua. The My Father Le Bijou 1922 Martino is full bodied and smooth with lingering finish full of spice and roasted espresso, just the perfect size for half-hour-plus smoke.

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Martino and Torpedo Box Pressed, winner of Cigar Aficionado 2015 Cigar of the Year with a 97.

Click to browse My Father Le Bijou 1922 line at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Mbombay Corojo Oscuro Review (Perfecto)

Corojo Oscuro
Made by: Mbombay
Warpper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Peruvian, Ecuadorian, Dominican
Vitola: 5 1/2 by 50 (Perfecto)

Given my experience with Mbombay in the past I am expecting a pepper bomb with a strength kick, but I will keep an open mind. This, much like the Habano Blend reviewed earlier this week, has a large outer band covering a large amount of the cigar. Let’s see what this has to offer with an Mbombay Corojo Oscuro Review.

Prelight

I have to say, aesthetically this cigar looks promising. Delicious looking wrapper and big veins. Lots of tooth present, visible seams, and the cap looks well-constructed. The foot is giving off a sweet herbal note and cedar with a cocoa undertone. Great smell. The cigar is quite squishy not a firm pack at all, clean cut very little loose tobacco. I am getting some subtle cocoa notes on the prelight draw with herbal/spice undertones. A spicy cayenne pepper tingle is present on the lips.

1/3

Took a second for the draw to open up but it did, and it is perfect now. Robust cedar on the front with a bouquet of floral notes. There are some light white pepper notes but the cedar is dominate at the moment. Medium bodied and low strength. The floral mix reminds me of jasmine and a light lavender very unique flavor note. As the first third comes to an end the floral note has come up over the cedar. The finish white pepper note has morphed into almost a light Jalepeño flavor that’s an interesting touch to the blend. Very high complexity in this cigar, medium smoke production.

2/3

At the start of the second third a nuttiness has appeared alongside the almost indescribable floral/herbal note at the front of the profile. And the light white pepper finish is back and is balancing out the profile perfectly. The blend is tasting like it is all working together. Wonderful flavors, medium to full body at this point and strength is rising slowly currently at a low-medium. Still medium smoke production. This cigar has surpassed my expectations at this point in terms of complexity and transitions. Great burn, no issues there, so it is doing wonderful in the construction category as well. The flavors have been shifting a little, the current forward note is the floral note, the jasmine is powerful with a much more subtle white pepper finish. Let’s see what happens as the last third begins.

3/3

The body is at a medium full with low-medium strength. Still medium smoke production and there have been no issues with the burn. Great blending for one of a kind flavors on this cigar. The herbal/floral note kept playing flavor wise but there was an almost toasted marshmallow note that appeared quickly and then dropped again toward the end of the cigar. This may have been attributed by a cocoa note that was on the finish with the white pepper in the end. Again this just goes back to the fact that this cigar had a wonderful and wide variety of flavor notes throughout it.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Conclusion: 90

Delicious cigar, highly recommended, if you have had a long week and need something to take your mind off of work this is perfect. Tons of complexity and wonderful transitions create a well-balanced and very intriguing profile that this cigar has. Entirely deserving of the 90 it achieved in terms of score.
Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Mbombay Habano Robusto Review

Habano Robusto
Made by: Mbombay
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Nicaraguan, Peruvian
Vitola: 4 1/2 by 50

The bands on the Mbombay cigars are always extremely eye catching. Beautiful designs on a band that covers half of the cigar in this particular vitola. A lesser known company, Mbombay is becoming known more and more. This particular blend I have visited before and the strength snuck up on me. Given that was a year ago let’s see what time has done to this cigar. And I have also prepared myself by eating a large dinner beforehand. Let’s see what this has to offer with an Mbombay Habano Robusto Review.

Prelight

This cigar has a closed foot that smells like a wide mix of pepper and a slight herbal finish. The herbs are reminiscent of clove almost a spiced apple. The cap is constructed nicely no issues. Once the outer band is removed, there are two, it reveals visible seams and medium sized veins. Lots of tooth on the wrapper, a foreshadowing of a tasty mouth feel. Quite a lumpy pack some hard and soft spots throughout. Clean cut but there is a lot of loose tobacco on the end. Lots of white and black pepper on the prelight draw with a cayenne pepper bite on the lips.

1/3

Pleasant surprise a burst of deep cocoa on the front, with a delicious marshmallow like finish of the creamy smoke from the wrapper, and a light mix of pepper notes (white pepper mostly). The tooth is doing wonders for this cigars profile. Medium to full body and low-medium strength at this point and I expect both to rise. The body has risen slowly in the first third. The cocoa note has died down and has been replaced with a woodsy mix which is oak forward. There is still a subtle white pepper finish with a cayenne pepper lip tinge as well. The creamy smoke is this blends current strong suit. The smoke production is very thick and high.

2/3

At the start of the second third the white pepper note has moved to the front of the profile and there is a dry cocoa note on the finish. The woodsy note has been mostly covered by the peppers now to the front. Very odd shift, I have to say revisiting this has been a great experience perhaps time did this cigar wonders in terms of balancing out. The ash has tons of marks from the wrappers tooth and is a reminder of the thick creaming mouth feel this blend has to offer. The flavors are playing a bit in terms of what is on the front but it is very well balanced. Full bodied now and medium strength.

3/3

As I reached the final third of this cigar which really is the nub due to its size. There was a black pepper that came up to mix with the white pepper, the dry cocoa came up further to blend with the pepper notes, and it held through the finish. Full bodied, and strength was at a high medium at the end of this for me still.

Smoke Time: 55 Minutes

Conclusion: 87

This was much more enjoyable then the first time I reviewed this cigar. Much more robust flavor wise and well structured. I would still say the strength needs to be toned down but that is a matter of personal opinion. Delicious blend, definitely a medium to full cigar with medium to full strength that builds as the cigar burns down. I would highly suggest letting this blend rest if they are fairly young. Because after that time they develop into a much more well-rounded cigar. Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Caldwell Eastern Standard Review

Eastern Standard
Made by: Caldwell
Wrapper: Dominican
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Vitola: 6 by 54

Today I will be doing a Caldwell Eastern Standard Review, this is another cigar from the main line Caldwell production. The last two Caldwell’s both preformed wonderfully so my hopes are up for this one as well. I know for a fact that the lancero version of this line is wonderful, I have yet to visit this vitola. Let’s see what it has to offer.

Prelight

Visible seams, thick veins, and as always with Caldwell a beautiful cap with a sturdy pigtail. That is one thing I have to admit, the Caldwell cigars in the main line are all rolled very well. Not a very even pack on this one several lumps and soft spots. A very floral note on the foot with a light citrus in the background, the cut was absolutely perfect no issues at all. The prelight draw shows similar notes to the foot, floral and light citrus note that seems to be a mixed herbal flavor with a lip tingling white pepper finish.

1/3

The floral note is big on the front with a white pepper finish. There is a light oak note coming up as the first third progresses. Light to medium smoke production. Medium body, low strength and great light grey ash. The finish if wonderful clean and reminiscent of the floral/herbal note at the front of the profile. At the end of the first third there is a cedar note rising alongside the oak note. It’s a very well balanced profile currently. The floral note is diminishing in the front and the woodsy notes are beginning to take over the profile as the first third comes to an end. The clean herbal white pepper finish rounds of the profile wonderfully at this point.

2/3

The woodsy notes have come up even more on the front, a delicious mix of cedar and oak. And the white pepper finish has developed into an even more herbal/spice flavor that results in a wonderfully clean finish. The burn has been great so far, it is just starting to be off-set by a little. Medium bodied still and low to medium strength. As the second third comes to an end it has been consistent, and the floral note did reappear on the front for a brief moment. The Woodsy notes are rising again.

3/3

The oak developed more as the cigar entered the last third. The woodsy notes have begun to dominate the profile the white pepper finish has continued throughout the cigar. The body held at a medium the strength rose to match the body at a medium as I reached the nub. Very smooth and balanced transitions with a good amount of complexity.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Conclusion: 87

I am usually not partial to larger ring gauge cigars, but this blend held the profile of the other vitola’s in this line very well. Great construction and wonderful flavors with a unique finish that tasted spectacular. Highly recommended, another wonderful cigar by Robert Caldwell. The first two thirds would be enjoyable for a mild cigar smoker, but a medium cigar smoker would enjoy this all the way through and possibly as a breakfast smoke.

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

La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Review

Mi Amor
Made by: La Aroma de Cuba
Wrapper : San Andres
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: Magnifico (6 by 52)

This cigar is the favorite of a lot of casual cigar smokers for its consistency, and the company did make a nice band for this one. Some people I bring out to have a cigar simply enjoy it because Cuba is in the label. To each their own, but the quality of a cigar isn’t always reflected by its band. Let’s see what this has to offer with a La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Review.

Prelight

The most appealing aspect of this cigar is the tooth, this tells me I am in for thick creamy smoke with a wonderful mouth feel. Barely visible seams and sturdy cap, and there are veins but they are small and should not affect the burn line. The foot is releasing a black pepper and cedar note mix. This cigar is boxed pressed and has a very firm pack, only one soft spot near the band point is noticeable. Great cut and no cap issues, just a bit of loose tobacco. A clean cedar note and light cayenne pepper bite on the lips is what can be picked up on the prelight draw. Time to get this lit.

1/3

A bitter cocoa and black pepper finish is the profile. Good smoke output, pretty good mouthfeel. The flavor profile though, bitter cocoa and barnyard notes with a mouth washing of a black pepper finish. For the sake of this cigars sheet score I hope the profile changes because this is not enjoyable at the moment. Once you’re able to get past the bitter cocoa and barnyard flavor there is a light cedar with some mixed nuts notes in the background. But it is quickly taken over by the black pepper finish. Medium body and low strength. Also the ash is quite dark, usually a sign that the soil was less nutrient rich where these leaves were harvested. The tooth is definitely visible in the ash, and that mouthfeel is the best part of this cigar at the moment. It is really interesting that the black pepper and bitter cocoa are so dominate they are hiding all of the more subtle notes in the profile. The mixed nuts are coming up slightly at the end of the first third showing a salty cashew flavor.

2/3

Well there is one thing I have to say for this cigar, it is consistent. I could see how this cigar could attract repeat smokers. The flavors that it does have are bold, and the mouth feel is nice. If that’s all you are looking for that’s fine, but complexity, transitions, and a different profile than the norm is not what you will find with this cigar. The barnyard is back accompanied by the bitter cocoa in the front and that black pepper finish is still holding. The construction is great though, perfect burn and great draw. The profile has not changed as I reach the end of the second third. Bitter cocoa and black pepper, consistency again is the main characteristic of this cigar.

3/3

The body has risen slightly to a medium-full and the strength is still at a low. The rise in body lowers hopes at finding other subtle flavors because the bitter cocoa and black pepper are still dominating. The construction of this cigar has been perfect throughout though. One thing to note there was a slight oak note coming into play at the very end. And that was the biggest transition of the cigar. It did start to get warm with about an inch and a half left.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Conclusion: 74

This cigar is a great everyday cigar if you enjoy bold consistency. And why not if you find something you like by all means stick with it. However, there are many cigars offering much much more. It does, as always, come down to personal preference. This lost points in complexity, transitions, and profile. Yet it did wonderful in mouth feel, construction, and smoke production. This makes a good “yardgar” something to smoke while doing yard work or simply not paying much attention to the cigars profile.

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