Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown Sumatra Seed
Binder: Dominican Cibao Valley
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, Peruvian
Size: 5.5 x 54 Toro
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $10.75

My cigars received 4 months of naked humidor time.

BACKGROUND:
Rated 91 by Cigar Aficionado in 2019.
Regular Production.
From La Aurora Cigars:
“Released in 2010, our 107 Tobaccos of the World collection features a selection of our finest tobacco from around the globe, paying homage to 107 years of artisanal handcraftsmanship. The 107 Ecuador cigar is distinguished by its sun-grown Ecuadorian wrapper, resulting in an oily texture and rustic, natural red color. Complemented by a Dominican binder from the Cibao Valley—and finished with filler from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Peru—this cigar offers a smooth burn and gives way to a light grey, consistent ash.”

THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
Everyone and his marmot reviewed the 107 Nicaraguan version. The poor Ecuador blend was left in the dust. Until today.

Ecuadorian wrappers always ask we stop and smell the roses. The floral notes are scandalous. In addition, there is a kid popular Welch’s Grape Jelly aroma that makes my rear leg move like crazy. And it doesn’t stop there…vanilla, caramel, chocolate covered malted milk balls, and fresh bread out of the oven. Nice.

My cigars have been laying nude, with their genitals exposed, in my humidor for 4 months. I’ve ridiculed the cigars for their Hollywood lifestyle behavior, but it has fallen on deaf ears; most notably because they have no ears. Dr. Rod is working on a cure.

A flood of flavors burn rubber: Salted caramel, vanilla custard dripping from a dead dog’s eye, milk chocolate, cinnamon, raisins, malt, and light black pepper. I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day.

Strength goes right to medium. Similar blends are in the light medium range. But it’s nice to get this familiar tobacco profile with some real punch. Casdagli Basilica C #1 (Natural and Maduro), Brothers of the Sabre Forrader, DOTW Dahman, and Club Mareva are Jeremy’s blends that have serious punch. I would need to research to illuminate others…but you get the idea. Not all these blends are morning smokes. Some are great with after dinner brandy or bourbon.

The burn is crisp. Like my edges.

Who says that music reporters and critics don’t pay attention to detail:
“Curved Air Live reunites Sonja Kristina with original members Darryl Way, Francis Monkman and Florian Pilkington-Miska plus a new bass guitarist, Philip Koch. [Strangely, when Koch inevitably left the group soon after (following a long-standing tradition of exploding bass guitarists), the group (with tongue firmly in cheek) cited his Semitic interests as the cause of his departure.”

You know, if someone knows me, they can say whatever they please. But when complete strangers take hits at your religion, culture, or heritage…well, fuck you. And my name is spelled Kough.

Lemony citrus appears but doesn’t have that cringy tartness attached. Sweet like me on Sunday morning. The Sweet v. Savory balance is full stop. Mongo like.

The 107 Ecuador has been around 14 years. And has always been affordable. Ahead of its time.

Smooooth. This is a big stick. And fully packed. A solid 2-hour smoke. I need to pace myself.

This cigar reeks havok with lush notes. And the fucking price? A solitary sawbuck. Can’t beat that with a Mustela furo.

Sips of water bring out massive flavor notes that beg my merkin to spin counterclockwise. I have merkins for all occasions…casual or formal. I even have one with a top knot.

Coffee, cinnamon, raisin, bread, earthiness, cocoa, apricot, blueberry bran muffin, hazelnut, caramel, vanilla, nutmeg, malt, and Tuscan derriere donut holes. All subtle. Would I detect these distinct flavors if I wasn’t sitting in front of my computer while making funny faces? Nope. Is it a cigar I like? Yep.

Nice construction and burn:

What are the odds? Curved Air is playing in Milwaukee tonight. I shit you not. Found out yesterday. They are part of a tour that includes ASIA, the Dutch band Focus, and Martin Turner of Wishbone Ash. 22 gigs on the right side of America. No west coast dates. And tonight is their last gig. The members who I would have spent the dough to see (Florian Pilkington-Miksa and Francis Monkman) are no longer on the planet. So, there is no point in going. The Pabst Theater seats 1339. They will not get close to selling out the place. Even if they do, at a paltry $20 per seat, that’s $26,780. The bands must pay for sound, lights, security, clean up, and renting the hall. By the time those features are paid, it leaves a dollar fifty for each band member. Since every person performing is in their late 70’s, this is a vanity tour. I forgot to include rider fees: walkers, toilet rails, cases of Metamucil, blue tooth hearing aid access, and a fleet of ESA dogs.

This cigar is a total delight. An adventure. A seduction. A wet dream. A dish rag caught in my anus. A blip on the universe’s timeline. A second chance to transition.

The anticipated second half begins. No fucking around now. Strength is upped to an acute medium/full. Flavors intensify. Not the light vehicle transport of an hour ago. It morphs into sundry territory. Getting better all the time.

No matter your age, you are in a transitory phase. This never changes.

My swoon is attained. Head bopping begins. My loins are girded. Clenching of the buttocks. Thin lips. Cruel to be kind.

It has become a heartless fact that finding a great $10 stick in the year of the dog is near impossible. 10 years ago, we would have complained about this price. Now we complain that our kids don’t call, and a Big Mac is $12.

There are nuances. There is boldness. A flavor profile that is schmeared across the universe. Floral is in the air and on my palate. Transitions are lock step. What else is there? Free shipping of course.

Ever notice that if sips are taken too often that harshness replaces the flavor profile. I sometimes fail to pay attention and this becomes painfully apparent. Not here. The 107 Ecuador is smooth throughout. A blissful cigar experience is all we ask for. Take us away. Are cigars your sanity? Me too.

Nubbing begins my duderinos…

You can purchase the 107 Ecuador from sponsors Small Batch Cigar (10% off with promo code ‘katman’) and Cigar Page.

RATING: 95

I am considering taking this blog to ‘Subscription Only’ in 2025. I’m in my mid-70’s. Cigars are not getting cheaper. The only way to avoid me disappearing into the mist is to pony up now instead of later. This has always been a free service (nearly 15 years) because I love doing it. Remember…to the cigar industry, I’m the antichrist. Don’t let the bastards win. You need my voice.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: cigar reviews, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, katman, La Aurora 107 Ecuador | Cigar Reviews by the Katman, la aurora cigars, phil kohn