One of the coolest things about the CRA Sampler is the opportunity to try some sticks you never got around to smoking on other occasions. Two weeks ago I had the Cuba Aliados Miami, which I've only seen at one shop and never bought; today I am featuring the Aurora 100 (Cien) Anos. I do not dislike La Aurora cigars, but I never got around to trying this one mainly because of the mindset I had that their cigars were mostly overpriced. I am trying to break out of preconceived notions...be patient with me!
This cigar had a lovely oily, leathery wrapper and as soon as I removed the cellophane I was hit with rich barnyard, chocolate and even cinnamon notes from the the wrapper and the foot. Just judging by sight and smell, I expected to enjoy this cigar a lot. Prelight draw was just a little tight, but flavors of chocolate, molasses and pepper spice promised a great experience ahead.
For giving such a strong prelight presence, I was rather surprised at how mild and understated the actual smoking experience began--some hay and sweet tobacco, not much else. Flavor progressed through the first third from hay to earth with a hint of mushroom then to a stronger earthiness with a little cinnamon. The draw could have been better. In the second third a faint pepper spice was added in the retrohale. The final third had more intriguing flavor evolution with more cinnamon and bread notes.
This was an intriguing introduction to the Aurora 100 Anos, but I can't help but feel disappointed as it never did fulfill its prelight olfactory promise. Several people recommended the lancero to me and I did end up trying it some time after smoking this one. That cigar gets a full review in a couple weeks, but let just say this: where the toro failed, the lancero delivers.
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