Wrapper: Dominican Habano 92-seed
Binder: Dominican Olor del Valle del Cibao
Filler: Dominican Corojo, Olor del Valle del Cibao, Piloto Cubano del Valle del Cibao
Size: 5 x 50 Robusto
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $14.50
Date Released: November 2023
Quantity Released: 2500 boxes of 20
Factory: La Aurora Cigar, Dominican Republic
My cigars received 4 months of naked humidor time.
BACKGROUND:
From La Aurora Cigars:
“This unique cigar is a tribute to the very first Preferidos cigars from 1903, with replicas of the original tubes encapsulating a new, meticulously crafted blend. To ensure it’s quality, 120 LE is hand-made in small batches and rolled exclusively by our most expert Torcedores who have more than 20 years of experience. The Torcedores use an exquisite Habano 92-seed leaf wrapper, Dominican binder and a Dominican Republic filler blend, resulting in a super-premium, full-bodied Dominican Puro that exudes legacy, craftsmanship and flavor.”
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
This is a compact cigar. A limited cigar. And its construction is solid.
Dominican puros can be spot on or they can be drek. I’m here to decide whether this cigar floats to the top or drowns in its own effluence.
Aromas are faint but deliver sweet notes of floral, green grapes, Worcestershire Sauce, cedar, barnyard, lemon pudding.
The cold draw is heavy on the Worcestershire Sauce with a sizeable amount of cedar and sugar cane.
Love how it starts with the familiar earthy Dominican piquancy and mild chocolate mousse sweetness. There is even milder black pepper that accents beautifully with an even flow of creaminess. A wispy dried fruit that ups the cedar. Nothing better than when a cigar tickles your fancy early in the passion play.
The spiciness of the black pepper turns the creaminess into fettuccini alfredo. The nice saltiness and the crisp parmesan Reggiano created a cracker-like taste. I’m only half an inch in and the cigar is performing beautifully.
I smoked a couple cigars early and enjoyed them but now with several months of home detention, the cigar sings to me. Much more sophisticated and complex than those early sticks. Waiting has its perks.
Because the strength is medium/full, I’d rather go with the Toro which is a perfect 5.7 x 54 for an after-dinner smoke. The Robusto is a morning smoke, not the evening fare.
The char line is crisp. The cigar plumps. The strength began at medium but as the first inch fades, it shifts into medium/full. But not an abrupt change as the blend is as smooth as the Trump family milking every cent they can while in power.
Saltiness can be a disaster in the wrong blender’s hands. It can ruin a cigar. Not here. It bobs and weaves with an easy flow allowing accents to simmer. I smell Basmati rice. That wonderful floral and sweet concoction. Everything works.
I love that the cigar comes in a multitude of sizes: Robusto (5 x 50), Gran Toro (6 x 58), Toro (5.7 x 54), Lancero (6.7 x 40), and Churchill (7 x 47). Every size can affect the way a cigar tastes. I’m going to get me the Churchill and Lancero before I finish this review.
An oaky flavor shows itself and couples easily with a new candied lemon sauciness. The blend morphs. Café au lait joins the frenzy. I honestly don’t know if I’d pay attention to flavors if I wasn’t writing. In fact, I know I would not. A cigar either strikes you in the puss or it doesn’t. Your brain figures things out.
As the first half fades into obscurity, a wonderful vanilla cookie with raisins enters. The wrapper provides an aged leather overview. Strength becomes definitively medium/full. This is not a morning cigar.
The 2-1/2 years of box aging has served this blend well. The constant transitions with an earthy complexity is just great. I used the word ‘great.’ It’s official. I’ve run out of adjectives. Everyone that has reviewed this cigar has given it a resounding thumbs up. It is a supremely complex smoke. Any other manufacturer would charge $20-$25 for this cigar. And it would be worth it. La Aurora has always been fair with their pricing.
The second half is the star of the show. This is a very dynamic blend.
I have zero complaints. Maybe one…I wish I had bought the 120th in a bigger vitola.
You can purchase La Aurora 120th Anniversary from sponsor Cigar Page. Use promo code KATLA10 for 10% off. The discounted price plus the promo knocks $4.00 off the retail from $14.50 to $11.60. If you are a Page Plus member, the cigar goes for $6.69 each. Retail for a box of 20 is $310. Cigar Page’s reduced price is $230. The Page Plus price is $163. It knocks $147 off retail. Page Plus membership is a one-time $100. It is nearly paid for with this deal. There are hundreds of discounted deals with the membership.
RATING: 96
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
I did not like these when I impulse bought a box at regular release. I pulled one about a month ago and it had developed into a oatmeal raisin sugar cookie grilled on a cedar plank. Really great when you give them time!
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Things get better with age…especially old men.
Thanks for your comment, Ben.
Phil
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