I received this special new size of La Aroma de Cuba at an event last month--buy a certain number of sticks and get one (or two or more) of these "free." This vitola is at this point only available at events and I could not find any information regarding if it would be more widely available at some point. The aroma from the wrapper leaf was a faint barnyard and cocoa mix; the foot gave off a stronger manure smell with some chocolate as well. These "New Blend" LAdCs are made by Don Pepin Garcia using Nicaraguan binder and filler along with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper leaf.
Prelight draw was easy and tasty--there were notes of chocolate and coffee. Lightup was fairly easy and right from the first few puffs, I was a bit surprised--I bought a bunch of LAdCs at the event so I have smoked a fair number lately, both original and new blend, and this one had the most distinctively enjoyable flavor right out of the gate. Due to it having the smallest ring gauge of the New Blend line? Maybe. Initial flavors of dark chocolate and dark roast coffee, along with a nice peppery retrohale, led to a first third that was both smoother and more flavorful than other vitolas of this blend.
I said it before (most recently in long article yesterday)--in a market where large ring gauge cigars are dominating the landscape, often the thinner cigars deliver more flavor. This La Aroma de Cuba is a perfect example. Whereas the other vitolas are very good, this one was simply great. I would love to see this as a regular production size (with or without the tubo) as well as perhaps a panatella or lancero.
"....the thinner cigars deliver more flavor"
ReplyDeleteYou know what, I am starting to agree with that. I have started to experiment with different sizes of the same cigar and I do feel as though the thinner sizes allow the wrapper to be more predominant and add more flavor/taste. I have tried the larger size of the La Aroma de Cuba and they were good but was expecting more. I am looking forward to trying this size. JohnG