Cigars

Aganorsa Leaf Signature Selection Maduro

Aganorsa Signature Selection MaduroAganorsa Leaf has been in the game for a while, I just didn’t know how much they were into it… until recently. While smoking a few of their cigars I decided to do some homework and, before I get to the review, here’s a bit of what I found out.

Originally named Casa Fernandez it was in 1998 that Eduardo Fernandez went to Nicaragua with a dream: to grow the finest tobacco in the world that captured the very essence of the Cuban cigars of old.  To do this, he traveled to Cuba and assembled a world class team of Cuban agronomists who worked at the highest levels of Cubatobaco, in many cases for over half a century, and brought them to Nicaragua.  These men oversaw the production of tobacco during the heyday of Cuban cigars, knew exactly the taste they were famous for, and recognized they could recreate the style and aroma of Cuban leaf using traditional Cuban methods in conjunction with the resources available to them in Nicaragua. The tobacco they cultivated is named Aganorsa Leaf as an acronym for his farm named Agricola Ganadera Norteña S.A.

As a vertically integrated company, Aganorsa Leaf oversees the entire production process—from seed to ash—guaranteeing every cigar consistently produces maximum pleasure. Every cigar rolled in their factories in Nicaragua and Miami is composed their highest grade Aganorsa Leaf, and is crafted under the watchful eye of Eduardo, his son Max, and their team of Cuban supervisors. When you smoke one of our world class blends, you will experience the difference between ordinary tobacco and Aganorsa Leaf. Try one today and taste the superior flavor of AGANORSA.

OK, on to why you’re really here, how was this cigar?

Visually the Signature Selection Maduro is a great looking cigar. The wrapper is dark brown in color with hints of red when the light hits it just right. Light veining and seams that you have to search to find. It has a soft velvet finish to it and the body feels dense. The cap cuts easily and creates no damage to the body. The smell offers aromas of hay, cedar and leather with these notes stronger at the foot. The preflight draw had earthy flavors and a hint of cocoa.

The first half tasted of chocolate, earth, and a white pepper finish. With a profile in the medium body range it’s a smooth smoking cigar. It provides plenty of pleasant smelling smoke that has a good weight to it, burns evenly and produces a light grey ash that holds on for about an inch.

The second half is where the fuller flavors start to come into focus. at this point it transitions into flavors of coffee and chocolate with a spicy pepper finish. While these flavors are full it never feels overwhelming and remains a easy smoking, medium bodied cigar. Then burn is nothing short of perfect and the smoke gets more heavy and dense as you smoke, filling the room with its aroma.

In the end I thought this was a great cigar to smoke and now wish I had picked up more than just a few. I grabbed the Belicoso size and but I’m sure each size is equally as good. After looking into the blend I found that for this cigar they are using medio tiempo, which is not only rare but, very rich in flavor. If I had to guess this is the secrete ingredient to rounding out the overall flavor f this smoke. From novice to expert this is a solid stick to try out. When you see these in your local B&M make sure to pick some up.

Wrapper – Nicaraguan Corojo

Binder – Nicaraguan

Filler – Nicaraguan

Don’t Forget Medio Tempo is added in there

Price: $10.00

Website: Aganorsaleaf.com

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 pints

 

OSCAR VALLADARES CISERON EDITION

OSCAR VALLADARES CISERON EDITIONI think most of us know Oscar Valladeras from his popularity of The Leaf by Oscar, at least that’s how I first heard of him. In the Oscar Valladares Ciseron Edition the goal was to promote Honduran artist Elmer Ciseron Bautista. While Oscar has generally always used tobacco from Honduras in an ironic turn, in this cigar celebrating the Honduran artist he chose to use (for the first time) tobacco not from Honduras. Seems like an interesting choice given the reason behind the cigar but what do I know? Ok enough of the history behind it on to why you are really here, what is it like.

I normally don’t talk about bands or covers but with this cigar it’s impossible not to. While the blends and cigars are all the same there are five different spices of art from Ciseron covering the majority of each cigar. On the backside of these labels is a bit of history about his art. if you aren’t familiar with his work it’s worth a read to find out about the artist that inspired this cigar.

Once removing the large covering the look of the cigar is quite pleasing. The wrapper is light brown in color, while it has noticeable veining the seams are practically invisible. The body is firm but will give if pressed and there is a slight glossy look to it from the oils. The body and foot have very light aromas and are difficult to place. The  cap cuts with no issues and the cold draw gives flavors of cinnamon and of course tobacco.

The first half is light like toasted bread with a touch of spice and is slightly sweet. The burn is even and for the light flavor the smoke production is like a freight train. The burn is even and the grey ash holds tight until you decide to release it.

Entering the second half the spices pick up a bit but still remains a mellow cigar. The over all flavor is something unremarkable but interesting at the same time. While there is nothing that immediately jumps up and says pay attention to me, there’s plenty going on if you choose to look for it. It reminds me of very well aged tobacco. It is a very easy smoking cigar and something you can either choose to pay attention to or just sit back and relax with. For the duration of the cigar it burns sharp and needs no touch up at anytime. Smoke production is always full and provides a great aroma in the room.

Since I consider cigars, cigar blending and cigar rolling to be an art form, it’s nice to see someone in the art community help bring to light another artist. This particular blend is a touch on the lighter side for my palate but is in no way a bad cigar, if anything it makes it more accessible to everyone. novice or professional I would recommend picking some of these up if you can still find them. The five styles were only made in 500 boxes of 20 so go on the hunt and see what you can find left, it’ll be worth it

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: Around $9.00 a stick
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 pints

 

Bunker Buster F.U.B.A.R.

601 Bunker BusterThe 601 La Bomba Bunker Buster F.U.B.A.R., from Espinosa, became the most recent installment in the limited edition micro series blend for Smoke Inn back in July of last year. The Microblend Series began in 2010 and offers a unique micro blend each year (with a couple of exceptions).

You might remember the original Bunker Buster that was released in 2014 with its figarado style, light box press and Habano Claro wrapper. For this installment we see the same figarado style but without the box press and this time it’s covered in an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.

The look of the cigar is a work of art. This perfecto has very little veining, tight seems and the wrapper is the color of lightly roasted coffee beans and has a nice light oily sheen to it. The body feels nice and firm but springy to the touch. The smell gives aromas of fresh cut grass, cedar, light pepper notes and a hint of sweetness.

The cap cuts easily and does no damage to the construction. The pre-light draw is firm and has flavors of of rich sweet tobacco. When beginning to light it the draw feels nearly too hard to pull through the airway but then I remember, I’m usually a fast smoker. So I reduce the amount of effort I’m using to pull air through and it beings to light just fine. Using this light pull on the cigar it begins to burn properly.

The first half has woodsy flavors and a soft buttery feel, perhaps a hint of spice on the back end is worthy to mention. Even though it felt light it was somehow still full feeling. The burn was sharp and the ash held tight until I became nervous that would fall in my lap and had to knock it off. Smoke production is medium and has good weight to it.

The second half has a change in profile, there is a much deeper darker flavor here. There is the taste of roasted nuts, spicy black pepper and a nice meaty flavor. The burn stays even with no touch up required and the smoke just keeps coming.

Smoking this cigar was thoroughly enjoyable and not what you generally think of with a cigar wrapped in a Connecticut. It’s something you’ll want to make sure you put some time aside to smoke, this guy is not designed to be smoked quick. While some might consider the Micro Blends for Smoke Inn a novelty item I see it as a chance to try something unique. Like going to your favorite restaurant and getting the chefs special for that day. Even though there were only 500 boxes of ten made last year there are still a handful left and should definitely pick some up before they are all gone.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: $95 for a box of 10
Website: Available only at Smokeinn.com
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 pints