Wrapper: Nicaraguan Dark Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5 x 52 “Robusto”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: Unknown

If ever I did a blind taste test, this is the moment. Robert Arango, president of Arandoza Cigars, was kind enough to send me some samples for review. The only information provided is that this stick is a Nicaraguan puro. And info gleaned from a press release they sent me. That’s it, folks. Their web site is devoid of any info on this particular blend.

I reviewed the Blue Label Arandoza back in February of 2013. You can find it via this link: Cigar Review- Arandoza Cigars.
I do know that the cigar is being produced in Erik Epsinosa’s factory: La Zona.

After publishing this review, I got an email from Pilar Arango. Co-owner of Arandoza cigars. This is what she said:
“Arandoza Cigars is the first Private Boutique brand coming out of Erik Espinosa’s “La Zona Factory” in Esteli, Nicaragua.

“Reviews like yours really help out Boutique lines like ours..small lines that people wouldn’t normally even consider because it’s not a well know name. So thank so much you for all that you do for us “little people” in this cigar industry.
“We have a retailers list on our website and new B & M’s are added weekly:”
www.arandozacigars.com

And Pilar provided this information on both blends:
Blue Label :
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5 x 52 “Robusto”
6 x 52 “Toro”
6 x 52 “Torpedo”
6 x 60 “Trabuco”
Body: Medium
Price: $ 6.00 – 7.50

White Label:
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Dark Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5 x 52 “Robusto”
6 x 52 “Toro”
7.25 x 49 “Doble Corona”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $ 6.50 – $ 8.00

So here we go. The first thing that catches your eye is the splendiferous main band and the foot band. It’s Liberace time. Everything is done in metallic, bright colors. The background is white, as the name of the blend implies. And then there is the ornate gold scallop surrounding the name of the cigar. That black band, with more gold lettering, states it is an Arandoza cigar. While the foot band has the name of the blend in gold lettering on a bed of white and gold extravaganza. It’s very kitschy.

I remove the foot band. It slides off easily. That’s a good sign of being dry enough to smoke. The stick is very solid. A small amount of give. The wrapper is the color of coffee bean. There are a few visible seams but nothing that looks like it is going to break free. And there are lots of spider veins. It looks like a triple cap to me but I cannot confirm it.

The stick is very oily with a sandy touch.

I clip the cap and find aromas of exotic cinnamon and strong red pepper. There is a lot of cedar and earthiness. The spiciness is way up front. Eye watering upfront.
Time to light up.

The first puffs are sweet. And the spiciness loses no time in smacking my palate in the puss. There is a very nice light cocoa flavor. More like hot cocoa with marshmallows than dark cocoa. A slight creaminess enhances that flavor.
The earthiness is rich and all encompassing. It grounds the cigar into its baseline. (Sorry for the pun.)
The char line goes wavy almost immediately. I touch it up.

There is a cotton candy element. And the coffee I smelled is now a flavor. The red pepper is burning on all cylinders. And the body is classic medium from the start. Which means I probably should have had some breakfast before lighting up. This cigar may, indeed, kick my ass by the time I get to the last third.

The char line is looking good now. Fingers crossed that no more touch ups are required.

This is a multi-layered cigar. The sweetness, spiciness, cocoa, coffee, earthiness, and cream are all pumping away at different levels. That is the hint of complexity just prior to it happening.

I haven’t had the Blue Label in quite a while but I remember it being a very good cigar. My first impression is that this is a very good stick. It seems to be bolder than the Blue. More arrogant in its flavor profile. Daring me to find Waldo. There are more layers of flavor here and I’m being dared to find them. But then again, I’m only at the one inch mark. As the prophet Moe said, “Spread out.” And there is plenty of time for that.

The creaminess bursts like a huge balloon. And splatters all over the other flavors giving them more intensity.
There is a fruit component. It is dark and treacly. A caramel element shows itself making the fruitiness hard to discern. Actually, though this sounds crazy, it tastes like a caramel covered candy apple. Nuanced and subtle, of course.
The spice tamps down a bit and lets the other flavors do their thing. The cocoa and coffee back off a bit. This cigar, so far, is about sweetness and richness. Like eating an exotic $30 dessert at a fancy restaurant.

I grabbed a Diet Coke because of the cocoa. But each swig brings on a definitive, distinct sweetness that is unusual for most cigars. This is the kicker for the whole cigar’s character.

The draw is impeccable and the char line is close to perfect now. This stick is very good and totally unique in its flavor profile. This is nothing like I expected from a Nic puro. The standard Nic flavors are strictly background music. While the exotic-ness of this cigar leads the charge.

The first third ends with a nice flourish. The second begins with a resurgence of red pepper.

I’m guessing the same sized band is used for all the different sized cigars. It is impossible to get the whole name of the cigar in a photo.

The cigar is now showing off its complexity. Morphing flavors are the rule of the day. The creaminess and sweetness are pounding hard but other flavors have balanced out perfectly.

The body remains the same at medium. The red pepper is movin’ on up. My tongue is beginning to burn a little. My eyes water and my nose runs. Isn’t that a song by Iron Butterfly?

I hit the halfway point and the cigar is sizzling with flavor. Officially, a flavor bomb. But, again, nothing like any Nic cigar I’ve ever smoked.

The creaminess and caramel are riding high on the wave of the other flavors. And while early on, I thought of candy apple; I now taste rich Khudry dates. The richest of the line. The sweetness is too intense for the simple raisin. It has that sticky sweet flavor that dates provide. And if you haven’t had a Khudry date, get some. They ain’t cheap but they are a treat.

I remove the main band with ease and decide to flatten it so you can see the whole name in the photos.

The strength of the cigar is making a move towards full. I can feel the nicotine doing its job.

The last third is about the complexity, richness, and nuance. The flavors find their place in line and stay there. The red pepper takes a dive once again and moves behind the creaminess and sweetness.

With a couple inches to go, I kick back and just enjoy the cigar.

I read my own review of the Blue and find there are similarities in the White to the Blue. But this is a cigar that stands on its own. The Blue Arandoza price point for the robusto was $6. A real steal. And I’m betting that the White will be in that same range. Another steal.

I will have to contact my dear friend Ana at Cuenca Cigars about buying a box of these.

If this cigar were to be any creamier, or sweeter, it would be a Krispy Kreme. But in a good way, not an infused stick. The cigar is uber complex.
The cigar finishes out at the full body mark. And never becomes harsh, bitter, or hot. It took 8 months for Mr. Arango to release this second cigar in his line and I respect him for that. No need to hurry. That means the man takes cigar blending seriously. Reminds me of Moya Ruiz Cigars. They see cigar making as a serious undertaking and no one, or thing, will rush them. Mr. Arango has that same attitude.

At $6, this is a no brainer. A real quality, premium, cigar loaded with flavor and complexity.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS