Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Maduro
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano & Nicaragua
Size: 5.25 x 50 “Robusto-Box Pressed”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $11.00 MSRP

Today we take a look at the La Hoja Edición Maduro 1962 No. 1 Robusto.
Thanks to Carlo Gomez, co-founder of La Hoja Cigars, for the samples.
I still have the La Hoja Reserva Limitada 1962 and the La Hoja Edicion Crema cigars for review soon.
I reviewed the La Hoja Edición Clasica 1962 back in mid-October. Fantastic cigar!

BACKGROUND:
Release Date: December, 2014
Regular production
Factory: Tamboril DBL S.A.

Due to a legal battle, the La Hoja Edición Clasica 1962 is the rebranded version of the Hoja de Flores Autentico Maduro.

From the La Hoja Edición Maduro 1962 press release:
“The Edicion Clasica Maduro 1962 features similar Dominican Piloto Cubano and Nicaraguan tobaccos found in the binder and filler of the Edicion Clasica Corojo. What sets the Edicion Clasica Maduro apart, says J Carlos Gomez, Executive VP at La Hoja Cigars, is the carefully selected Mexican San Andreas Maduro wrapper.

“The danger of San Andreas (sic) Maduro wrappers, Gomez says, is “that particular leaf can create a smoke that is too dry and that parches the smoker. We’ve blended this cigar specifically to offer the flavor of San Andreas but with considerable balance as well.”

It seems for every review, there is a different opinion. But some are brutal with ratings of 81 to high ratings of 91. That’s a huge spread. If this was the Richter Scale, oh my.

DESCRIPTION:
Beautiful cigar. I fear my photographic skills will not be able to provide an accurate display. A sharp, square box press. Looks like a Twix.

Tight seams. Almost no veins. A rounded, triple cap.
The wrapper is a very oily dark chocolate brown. A solid cigar.
The cigar band is gorgeous. And the crimson red ribbon at the foot tops off the sundae like a maraschino cherry.

SIZES AND PRICES:
No.1 Robusto 5.25 x 52 $11.00 MSRP
No.2 Belicoso 5.25 x 54 $11.50 MSRP
No.6 Toro Gordo 6 x 60 $13.50 MSRP
No.9 Toro 5.75 x 56 $12.50 MSRP
Presented in boxes of 20.

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell floral notes, molasses, cream, cocoa, and oatmeal.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell dark bittersweet chocolate, spice, red hot cinnamon, (Double sneeze & eyes water), candied red apple, and espresso.
The cold draw presents flavors of candied red apple, chocolate, spice, cream, baking spice, and cedar.

FIRST THIRD:
The draw is superb.
And then the flavors begin to scrum.
We start off with: Chocolate, big power blast of red pepper, cream, cedar, espresso, dried fruit, red apple, caramel, and pie crust.
Flavors are blasting away like an $11.00 cigar should.
Strength is a strong medium body.

The malts pile on: Chocolate Malt, Wheat Malt, Special B Malt, Mild Ale Malt, Flaked Oats Malt, and Crystal/Caramel Malt. (See Malt Chart).

The La Hoja Edición Maduro 1962 No. 1 Robusto starts off with a big bang and is an immediate flavor bomb.

As I peruse Google to see who sells them, it becomes apparent I’m the last guy on the block to review this cigar. The CI Conglomerate sells the cigar as well as Famous Smoke. It doesn’t appear that the usual boutique discount stores (Small Batch Cigar, Cigar Federation, and Summit Cigars) carry the brand at all. Shame on them. Come on Joey. Get on the bandwagon. You’ll sell a million of these cigars.

The La Hoja Edición Maduro 1962 No. 1 Robusto is a very slow smoke. Makes me happy. Carlos sent two of each blend…. La Hoja Reserva Limitada 1962, La Hoja Edicion Crema, and the La Hoja Edición Maduro 1962 No. 1 Robusto.

I smoked this cigar too early. A week after I got it. So now, I’ve waited a few weeks and my patience has been rewarded. Dying to review the other two blends. Of which I haven’t smoked either yet.

Construction is magnificent. The char line is spot on.
Transitions occur every couple minutes. Complexity settles in. The balance is building. And the long, chewy finish is delicious.
The apple element is omnipresent and I don’t know if I’m eating a great homemade apple pie or a cinnamon candy red apple on a stick.

My only assumption is that the reviewers that gave this cigar a low rating did not allow the blend proper time to mature a bit. Seems like they were given 2 days or ROTT reviews. Because their experience is nothing like mine.
Strength hits medium/full.

The La Hoja Edición Maduro 1962 No. 1 Robusto is very intense now. Giant, bold flavors. A red hot peppery cinnamon is wonderful.

I can’t believe that I waited this long to finally review this cigar. I would stare at it in my humidor like a siren calling my name.
“She said, there is no reason
And the truth is plain to see.
But I wandered through my playing cards
And would not let her be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might have just as well’ve been closed.”
Thank you Procol Harum.

The old lady took off for work. Let the music begin. Gotta play the new Van Morrison album: “The Essential Van Morrison.” 37 great songs I can bop to while writing.
The ash is hanging tough. Over an inch long and hasn’t moved from the foot.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 25 minutes.
Strength remains at medium/full.
Sweet Spot 2.0.

No change to the list of flavors…but they are so ridiculously intense that my ears are twitching. And my naughty bits are shrinking. (Just what a Jew needs) Oy vay.

This cigar blend is wonderful. And even though I’m only a third a way through it, it is worth every shekel. Those pitiful $15 cigars with no flavor or consistency can bow at the feet of Carlos Gomez.

The chocolate, the spice, the apple, the sweetness, the malts, the coffee, the cedar, the caramel, and the dried fruit are blasting a tunnel from San Diego to Tijuana.

I removed the cigar band and because the cigar is so tightly box pressed, I have creases in the band. No matter how much I press it, the creases will remain. Now that’s box pressing.

I’d be hard pressed in picking which cigar blend I like best: the La Hoja Edición Maduro 1962 No. 1 Robusto or the La Hoja Edición Clasica 1962. Both medium/full blends. Both flavor bombs. And both exactly the same price.

“My sweet Lord (hallelujah)
Hm, my Lord (hallelujah)
My, my, my Lord (hallelujah)”
Thank you dear departed George Harrison.

And now Van is singing “Someone Like You.”

I got the music in me this morning. Makes me so happy and I forget I have Alzheimer’s. Big smile!
What could be better? An incredible cigar blend and fine, fine music.

Halfwheel.com uses the term: “Terrior” several times. I have no idea what that means so I look it up: “The characteristic taste and flavor imparted to a wine by the environment in which it is produced.”

That is a very good description of the La Hoja Edición Maduro 1962 No. 1 Robusto. You can actually taste the soil in which the tobacco was grown. It’s that rich and decadent.
I’m at the halfway point.

I’m kvelling. (Yiddish for “feeling happy and proud.”) That’s what Carlos should feel with the accomplishment of this blend.

We got the remnants of the terrible storm that started in the South West. Windy, thunderstorms, and mucho rain.

I now relax as Van the Man sings “Have I Told You Lately.”

This has been one of the most gratifying reviews I’ve done. I wish I had more of the the La Hoja Edición Maduro 1962. I’m now thinking I found the cigar to give out to the wedding party at my daughter’s wedding in May. This will be the only time that Charlotte will give me her blessing for buying a box of not so inexpensive cigars. It will be $200 at CI but worth every nickel. And I will get a kick of the non-cigar smokers turning green.

The La Hoja Edición Maduro 1962 No. 1 Robusto is now very full bodied. Nicotine arrives.

I’d say this cigar is “Real Real Gone.” Tell us Van.
Transitions galore. Complexity intense. Perfect balance. With a sip of water, and the finish is a mile long.
Nothing I smoke today will compare to what I’m smoking right now.
Construction is flawless. Char line…not a lick of trouble.
I panic as I see the La Hoja Edición Maduro 1962 No. 1 Robusto begin to dwindle.
I’d love to try the big Toro. That just might be the one for the wedding.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is one hour 10 minutes.
Carlos, get your web site happening. And sell the cigars from there.
CI sells all three blends I’ve mentioned; except for the Crema. At very reasonable prices. About a buck, or so, less than MSRP.
Each blend has some sizes backordered. Clearly, this is a very popular cigar line.
This is a major full bodied blend. Woo Hoo!

I was going to review another cigar this morning but at the last moment, picked the La Hoja Edición Maduro 1962 No. 1 Robusto instead. Glad I did.
A good cigar. A good review. Makes my day.
I want to adopt Carlos.

For such a strong cigar, it is uber smooth.
Last time for flavors: Spice, chocolate, creaminess, malts, caramel apple, cinnamon, espresso, cedar, dried fruit, chocolate frosted croissant, and a rich earthiness.
Impressive.
A grand cigar blend!

Clearly, I highly recommend this cigar. Same goes for the La Hoja Edición Clasica 1962.
And I have no doubt, that I will feel the same way for the last two remaining blends.

It was only a year ago when I would have railed against the double digit priced cigars. But now, you are lucky if $11 is all you have to spend on a new cigar. The median price seems to be $14-$15 a pop. Has the world gone mad?

Like anything in life, you should get what you pay for. I don’t mind going to an expensive restaurant if the food is magnificent.
Same goes for cigars. The $15 San Cristobal Ovation was a bust. In fact, I’ve found that every $15 cigar I’ve reviewed was a travesty. I don’t care what Cigar Aficionado says.

The price points for the La Hoja blends are worth it. You get what you pay for plus some.
I’m ever so grateful to Carlos Gomez for sending me samples.
Snag a 5 pack. If you’re flush, snag a box.

Final smoke time is one hour 45 minutes.

RATING: 94

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: carlos gomez, cigar review, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, La Hoja Edición Maduro 1962 No. 1 Robusto | Cigar Review