Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan Estelí, Jalapa, and Namanji
Size: 6 x 52 Toro
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $9.85
Quantity Released: 3,000 boxes of 25
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A. Estelí, Nicaragua

My cigars received two months of naked humidor time.

BACKGROUND:
From La Aroma de Cuba:
“La Aroma de Cuba Habano Reserve is released in extremely small batches once a year. An oily Habano Rosado wrapper leaf, cultivated in Ecuador, surrounds vintage Nicaraguan long-filler tobaccos harvested in Estelí, Jalapa, and Namanji. Every leaf of tobacco is triple fermented for maximum smoothness. Talented artisans roll every cigar in entubado fashion and finish the head with a traditional Cuban-style triple cap. Elaborate notes of coffee bean, molasses, cream, cedar, and spice layer the palate throughout an enticing, medium to full-bodied profile. La Aroma de Cuba Habano Reserve is available in a flawless 6-by-52 Monarch, released in limited, annual quantities. “

THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
20 years ago, My Father cigars were special and unique. Two decades later, less unique but more reliable. Tastes change. We all succumb to the fickle finger of fate and squirreliness. I bought a fiver on a hunch.

I found only a single written review since its release this year. It was positive but I found the lack of more critiques a message sender. Is this blend not worthy? I dunno, let’s see.

The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper sings with notes of sweet floral, steaming hot cocoa, barnyard, malted milk, crackling black pepper, and cinnamon Red Hots.

The caps on all my cigars look slapdash.

Carefully using my PerfecPunch, I remove an 8mm portion of the cap and the top layer cracks. Not the PP’s fault, it was the roller’s.

Resistance is tight but I postpone drilling with my PerfecDraw…I store it away in my special hiding place where I keep 325 kilos of marijuana. Skunks gather at my door in the evening.

The cold draw is dull with notes of baking spices, cinnamon, and dry earth.

I get an initial blast of Ecuadorian sweetness and then more dry earth. A slight touch of malt is included as well as a bit of rye seeds, and finally…raw broccoli.

Times drags. The first inch is OK. Just OK. It’s not bad, mostly boring. It’s a big cigar and as such, takes longer to mature than a robusto or corona gorda. I am an impatient man. If inch number two follows suit, I will be on the verge of tossing. A dull and listless cigar spins me into a tedious critic. If I find no joy in Mudville, the lack of excitement turns me into a copywriter. In the good old days of 2021-2022, I could be a funny scathing writer. I was enduring sleep deprivation psychosis due to nerve damage from a broken neck. Insanity can sometimes be fruitful.

Flavors. Generic sweetness, espresso, cedar, slight creaminess, and baking spices. Not very exciting so you can imagine my dread in typing those words.

Strength is medium. The blend is smooth. And monotonous. The Habano Reserve tastes like all the My Father cigars rolled into one and does not show a lick of uniqueness. I spent $50. I have buyer’s remorse.

I sip cold coffee hoping to invigorate the senses. I get a boner. Wrong sense. But I tuck it away for later when the cat is dreaming of mice and tuna.

The creaminess is the sole savior of the blend. Often, My Father blends need months and months of home humidor time. The one thing guaranteed with a ten spot cigar is that the aging is up to you. But there should be some signs of life. I sit here arguing with myself that I should dump the cigar and go reviewless on this dreary Fall Monday. I’m very close. If you’re reading this, I adhered to the union cigar reviewer’s handbook and completed the critique. I hate rules and regs.

The first third was a complete dud. I made a promise to only bring decent or better cigars to your attention. I don’t know what I was thinking this morning.

The cigar’s cap completely unravels. I hate that too. My gut says quit while I’m almost ahead, ditch the cigar, eat some chocolate to cleanse my palate, and smoke something I like for my morning ritual. Maybe some street meth will liven things up. Hang on while I walk down to the corner.

There are some tried and true review sites I avoid. They never like a single cigar they rate. Why torture yourself? For one thing, they’re half my age so there is still hope in their lives. That, or they think they are doing their readers a service.

I’m closing in on finishing the first half. That’s it, I’m done. Not a horrible cigar, just incredibly boring. A piece of chocolate beckons me. Another $1 cigar bites the dust.

You want a good morning cigar? I found a great deal on the Megilla Miami Toro by El Titan de Bronze ($6.50-$10.00) (Wrapper: Connecticut Shade, Binder: Mexican San Andrés, Filler: Dominican Seco and Ligero Negrito, Nicaraguan Estelï Viso, Ligero, Stalk Cut Habano). Take another 10% off (through November) with promo code MEG10. A Cigar Page exclusive.

RATING: 81

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: cigar reviews, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, katman, la aroma de cuba, La Aroma de Cuba Habano Reserve Monarch | Cigar Reviews by the Katman, phil kohn