Robusto, 5" x 50 ring gauge / MSRP $9.00
This is one of La Aurora's cigars that I didn't spot in March during the DR trip. Named after the patriarch of the La Aurora line, it is described by the company as "Cuban-esque and heady, offering bold nuances including wood, hearty spices, and rich tobacco, complemented by a long and luxurious finish and zesty aroma." That's a lot to live up to! This cigar features long-filler Dominican and Nicaraguan leaves, held together by a Dominican binder, which is in turn wrapped with a Dominican-grown Connecticut Shade leaf. I received this stick...my first experience with this blend...from Miami Cigar as part of a "New Release" Sampler.
I should say the marketing material did not specify "shade" for the wrapper, but I am guessing since it is a light-colored leaf. That being said, it was a bit dusky and darker than many shade grown leaves, so I wonder if these were under cloth or some other kind of more natural shade. Like many shade leaves there wasn't much oily sheen to the eye, but I could definitely feel it under my fingertips. There were a few medium sized veins, but mostly the vein structure was tiny and delicate-looking. The band is classy except the name goes all the way around the cigar, so it's impossible to photograph and get the whole name...and it doesn't say "Prestige" on it anywhere. Strange. I got a clean, sweet hay aroma from the wrapper; on the foot I noticed scents of earth, leather, and rich tobacco. After clipping the end, the cold draw had notes of hay and sweet tobacco.
The first puffs were rich and smooth, with flavors of wood...first maple, then cedar...as well as a grassy/hay note from the Connecticut wrapper and an earthy undertone. The retrohale had notes of natural tobacco, roasted nuts, and a pinch of black pepper. Yes, they were bold in the hype on this cigar, but so far it was exceeding what I had realistically expected. The Prestige served up billowing clouds of smoke and the wrapper took on an almost cinnamon hue in the orange-tinged light of autumn. I got more wood flavor through the rest of the first third, as well as an increasing pepper burn on my palate.
The rather free draw allowed the cigar to burn more quickly that I would have liked, especially for a cigar that costs close to $10. The flavors as the second third burned through, though, were still fantastic. The earthy undertone became more of a leading note, with a nice sweetness to round things out and a little pepper heat to keep things interesting. The body so far was in the medium range and, besides the quick burn, the construction was great, with a very even burn line and strong ash that held on for half to three-quarters of an inch.
In the last segment the Leon Jimenes Prestige saw an increase in spiciness on the palate, along with a continued earthiness. The Shade wrapper still influenced the overall profile enough to keep things smooth and creamy while adding just a touch of sweetness. This cigar was a surprise. Jason Wood of Miami Cigar called it "a hidden gem" from this year's show and I have to agree. While everyone was talking about the 107 Maduro, Casa Miranda, Humo Jaguar, and Grand Reserve, I heard nothing about this cigar until it showed up in my mailbox. It is truly a refined and full-flavored cigar that belongs in any conversation of so-called New Breed Connecticut cigars. With body just a tick over the midway mark and nothing more than the lightest nicotine kick, this cigar won't blow away newcomers to cigar smoking, and it will satisfy the palates of many veteran smokers, too.
Body: 6/10
Strength: 5/10
Complexity: 7/10
AFP Scale
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 1.5/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
This is one of La Aurora's cigars that I didn't spot in March during the DR trip. Named after the patriarch of the La Aurora line, it is described by the company as "Cuban-esque and heady, offering bold nuances including wood, hearty spices, and rich tobacco, complemented by a long and luxurious finish and zesty aroma." That's a lot to live up to! This cigar features long-filler Dominican and Nicaraguan leaves, held together by a Dominican binder, which is in turn wrapped with a Dominican-grown Connecticut Shade leaf. I received this stick...my first experience with this blend...from Miami Cigar as part of a "New Release" Sampler.
I should say the marketing material did not specify "shade" for the wrapper, but I am guessing since it is a light-colored leaf. That being said, it was a bit dusky and darker than many shade grown leaves, so I wonder if these were under cloth or some other kind of more natural shade. Like many shade leaves there wasn't much oily sheen to the eye, but I could definitely feel it under my fingertips. There were a few medium sized veins, but mostly the vein structure was tiny and delicate-looking. The band is classy except the name goes all the way around the cigar, so it's impossible to photograph and get the whole name...and it doesn't say "Prestige" on it anywhere. Strange. I got a clean, sweet hay aroma from the wrapper; on the foot I noticed scents of earth, leather, and rich tobacco. After clipping the end, the cold draw had notes of hay and sweet tobacco.
The first puffs were rich and smooth, with flavors of wood...first maple, then cedar...as well as a grassy/hay note from the Connecticut wrapper and an earthy undertone. The retrohale had notes of natural tobacco, roasted nuts, and a pinch of black pepper. Yes, they were bold in the hype on this cigar, but so far it was exceeding what I had realistically expected. The Prestige served up billowing clouds of smoke and the wrapper took on an almost cinnamon hue in the orange-tinged light of autumn. I got more wood flavor through the rest of the first third, as well as an increasing pepper burn on my palate.
The rather free draw allowed the cigar to burn more quickly that I would have liked, especially for a cigar that costs close to $10. The flavors as the second third burned through, though, were still fantastic. The earthy undertone became more of a leading note, with a nice sweetness to round things out and a little pepper heat to keep things interesting. The body so far was in the medium range and, besides the quick burn, the construction was great, with a very even burn line and strong ash that held on for half to three-quarters of an inch.In the last segment the Leon Jimenes Prestige saw an increase in spiciness on the palate, along with a continued earthiness. The Shade wrapper still influenced the overall profile enough to keep things smooth and creamy while adding just a touch of sweetness. This cigar was a surprise. Jason Wood of Miami Cigar called it "a hidden gem" from this year's show and I have to agree. While everyone was talking about the 107 Maduro, Casa Miranda, Humo Jaguar, and Grand Reserve, I heard nothing about this cigar until it showed up in my mailbox. It is truly a refined and full-flavored cigar that belongs in any conversation of so-called New Breed Connecticut cigars. With body just a tick over the midway mark and nothing more than the lightest nicotine kick, this cigar won't blow away newcomers to cigar smoking, and it will satisfy the palates of many veteran smokers, too.
Body: 6/10
Strength: 5/10
Complexity: 7/10
AFP Scale
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 1.5/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
Great Review guys I'm a fan of the La Aurora line this will have to be a must try
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