Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Ecuadorian ~ Rum Barrel-Aged for 6 months
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, Peruvian ~ Aged 6 Years and then Rum-Barrel Aged for 6 Months
Size: 5.7 x 54 Sumo Toro
Strength: Medium
Price: $10.00
I bought a 10 pack 6 months ago because I enjoyed these cigars immensely when I reviewed them 3 years ago in February 2022. At that time, I was 8 months into less than an hour of sleep per night due to nerve pain in my neck as a delightful parting gift from my 2001 skydiving accident. I was barely cognizant of my surroundings. I would go another 6 months before the problem was resolved. I regret that I agreed to participate in my one and only video interview that lasted nearly two hours…as I endured at least one mild stroke prior to taping. I would experience two more mild strokes in the coming months. Don’t let your babies grow up to be skydivers.
Based on feedback from you, I created a tiny bit of consternation with my review yesterday of a small release of only 1,370 cigars of the La Aurora Small Batch 006 because it was long sold out. It seems only right that I should bring this fine La Aurora blend to your attention as my apology.
Only $10. And after promo codes, even better at $9.00.
Skip the following fol de rol and go buy some at Small Batch Cigar. Take 10% off with promo code KATMAN.
BACKGROUND:
From La Aurora Cigars:
“Tobaccos are aged for six years before spending another six months aging in barrels of rum. This gives the final cigar its aromatic notes from aging in a barrel, as well as the toasted wood notes. Thus, all tobaccos in this blend—except for the wrapping leaf—are aged for six months in barrels of rum. They also remain in the aging room for three months after being rolled.”
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
The draw on the cigar is exactly how I like my women. I cannot think of anything that is sufficiently inappropriate and still meets my low standards. I therefore have rough sex with my PerfecDraw and put it in the barn wet.
I have a nimbus cloud of smoke circling my head. I see Snoopy.
Good start…a nice tease of complexity from the get-go. A soupçon of sweetness…followed by some potent black pepper. A very earthy blend at its inception. The honey is buckwheat in nature. Dark and succulent like shoving your face into a Yucca Valley cactus.
A strong depth appears and causes my cheeks to collapse until I look like a baby’s first taste of a pickle.
Strength is a very easy going.
The aged tobacco is the star of the revue. The sweetness factor is strong, but the balanced tobaccos really push on through to the other side. More than earthy. More than burnt liver and onions. More than your average bear, Boo Boo.
The first inch finds itself testing the waters.
The smoke flows through the cigar with no issues along with stress free construction.
I do like flavor bombs. But I enjoy a blend whose sum exceeds its part even more. This avenue is aimed at cigar smokers who don’t want to pick out flavors and just enjoy a fine experience.
The complexity reaches the intense level.
The char line has military spec the entire time.
No idea why this cigar has not been reviewed more. It is certainly a winner with only 2”+ smoked.
The only other sports figure blend I truly enjoyed is the Big Papi by David Ortiz that I reviewed in 2016 and received a rating of 93 from me.
The rest of the celebrity-oriented blends, over the last 10 years, have been total shit.
La Aurora hit a homer with this baby…or should I say a slam dunk.
The leaf stats are unusual. And the cigar is better for it. This is a unique blend. It doesn’t taste like a gazillion Nic puros or any other puro for that matter. The medium/full strength is not causing injury to my being.
Not a hint of linear. The cigar is like an Asian fan spreading out more and more with each inch smoked. The stick’s parameters widen like exiting a cave at the beach and the warmth and daylight blinds you with joy.
The halfway point is bitch slapping me with a surprising adroitness.
My first sip of water and the rum, honey, and earthiness explode.
The cigar demonstrates just how good simple complexity can be. The little snippets of flavor and its minions hold court while the overview picture slams a giant gong. ?
8-1/2 months of no sleep. I believe I will go skydiving again this weekend.
The ash is stout and structural in nature. Strength remains at medium/full. I’m guessing the last third will kick my ass.
The only real change is that the spiciness of the black pepper is waving its arms in the air and demanding I pay attention.
More water please…it brings out all the sweet factors designed into the blend. The barrel aging is hyper prevalent. I don’t know if they use oak barrels but there is a strong rum-soaked wood influence that puts a smile on my palate.
Remember Rum Crooks?
This was my last stick of the fiver I purchased. The earlier sticks I smoked just didn’t have the push and pushback as the cigar I am reviewing this morning. Buying them and storing these cigars will require all of your manhood to be present so that ye shall allow extended hibernation. Well worth your restraint.
The Karl Malone gets better with only 2” to smoke.
This is a perfect morning with coffee cigar or an after-dinner smoke along with a good bourbon…rum would be a better choice.
As good as this cigar is, the sweet spot occurs in the last couple of inches. There are faux sweet spots along the way, but now we have Big Daddy.
The sophisticated palate will be cupped and exploited.
Transitions have been whizzing by the entire time. The finish is equally divided between the aged tobacco and the woody rum sweetness.
I place the nub in my ashtray and I genuflect 3 times.
An excellent blend to start your day. It comes in 4 sizes: Robusto, Belicoso, Toro, and Churchill. Prices range from $10.00-$12.00 before promo codes.
You can purchase these cigars at Small Batch Cigar. Remember that the promo code katman will get you 10% of your purchase.
Have a good weekend.
RATING: 94
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
Rum soaked crooks. What a blast from my misspent youth!
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Not every flashback is a good one…big smile.
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Another awesome review Katman, perfect timing as I just finished unpacking my Last Gig Sampler that surprised me at my front door, coming home from hitting the lounge. Man, I want to hit one of those Avowed so bad, but I will have some intestinal fortitude and just pack the whole sampler away in the humidor and wait until at least May to light one up. I got plenty of others but I really want to sample that sampler!
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Hi Rob,
Enjoy that sampler, man.
I have never stated this before…all the samplers that have my name on them? I don’t get a single penny.
I reach out to the brain trust of sponsors, past and present, and ask that they get a good deal to my readers. Should I get a cut? Probably.
But I am more about paying it forward than concerned about making a dime.
Thanks for your comment,
Phil
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