La Aroma de Cuba

A few years ago this was a cigar that I smoked regularly.  It had been suggested to me by a friend who thought it was a good smoke at a great price.  One day I went into the tobacco shop only to find that the blend was changing.  I really didn’t understand why since it was a good cigar at a great price and may dealers had told me that it sold well.  Nevertheless, change it did.

I received a new blend (actually its been on the market for a couple of years at an event last fall.  While I had wanted to try it right away, somehow it never seemed to get smoked.  When I reached for a stick tonight, this was the one that made it to the top of the humidor.  Since this cigar has been well reviewed by many publications, I was expecting an excellent smoke.  What I got was a nice cigar, but certainly not one that I think is worthy of all the fanfare.

When you first look at the cigar, it presents as a pleasing medium brown with a nice band.  Despite being in my travel humidor for some time, I held up well.  I punched the end and lit the cigar easily.  It drew well and produced a medium amount of smoke.

This cigar is made for Ashton by Don ‘Pepin’ Garcia in Nicaragua.  Garcia is a great cigar maker, many of whose sticks are medium to full bodied with lots of spice and pepper.  This smoke started off with a bite, but rather lots of earthy flavor.  My companion asked me what I thought it tasted like, and I replied a nice cigar.  I didn’t get lots of overpowering flavors, but rather a consistent medium earthy, woodsy, and leather taste.  About two thirds of the way in it got much more spicy.  The spice was sharp but not bitter and I liked it quite a bit.

This cigar was well constructed.  It burned evenly holding a crisp edge with a long white gray ash.  It produced a nice volume of smoke.

At less than $5.00 per cigar, this is a good value.  As I write this I find myself thinking better and better of the cigar.  My initial reaction of disappointment has been replaced by a feeling that on balance this is a well made stick with lots of value.  I will be enjoying more of these in the future and that you do as well.