My Father Cigars releases a new regular production cigar at IPCPR almost every year. Last years new cigar was La Promesa. La Promesa translates in Spanish to “The Promise.” The cigar gets its name from what José “Pepín” García told his family when he left Cuba for America. He promised them he would succeed. By all accounts, he has done just that, he went on to start El Rey de los Habanos, My Father, and would make cigars for Ashton, Tatuaje, Miami Cigar & Co., Crowned Heads, and many many others.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
The blend for La Promesa uses an Ecuadorian habano oscuro wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. It comes in five sizes: Petite (4 1/2 x 50) – $7.80, Corona Gorda (5 1/2 x 48) – $8.20, Robusto Grande (5 1/2 x 54) – $8.50, Toro (6 x 52) – $9.20, and Lancero (7 1/2 x 38) – $10. All come in boxes of 20.
“7 1/2 with pigtail x 38 lancero. Very dark wrapper. Wrapper very thick so you can see seams without trying. Moderate bordering heavy veining.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Aroma: 91
“Not picking up any aromas except maybe a hint of wood on the foot.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Flavor: 89 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“First few puffs are straight earth with some black pepper. First third seems to be typical for what I’m presented with here; little bit of chocolate, earth and a smidge of black pepper. Retro is pretty much the same.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
“Spice is kicking in this one even after a 1/2 inch the spice is still very strong. The profile is a jalapeno spice with a bitter bakers chocolate and some earth, as well as some oakyness through the nose.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Second Third
Flavor: 88 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Some other notes are adding to the complexity of the cigar making wonderful additions to the experience. Draw and burn are performing exceptionally for a lancero. A dried fruit sweetness barely detectable through the nose the oak is also still present and becoming more powerful.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“The second third of this cigar has developed nicely into a sweet and spicy treat. Bakers spice with a hint of dark fruit dominate the flavor profile. Retro has once again smoothed out nicely with a touch of white pepper.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Final Third
Flavor: 88 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“Getting into the final third, the cigar has maintained a sweeter profile than the first third and is much the same as the second. Dark fruit, baking spices and some white pepper. This has been a much better cigar than I was expecting from the way it started. Strength has ebbed and flowed from medium to medium full throughout like a symphony. Very nice indeed.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“The dried fruit didn’t stay long, just the oaky note remains. Cigar loses some strength through the final third. The cigar finishes with the same oaky note. Burn did go a little wonky in the last third but didn’t need any corrections.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Little uneven pretty much throughout.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Construction: 92
“Despite the relights the construction was on point. It did burn a little uneven, but never got hot and there was plenty of ash and smoke plus it didn’t unravel on me. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Overall Strength: Medium Overall Body/Complexity: Medium Experience Overall: 90
“I enjoyed the experience, I usually look for more complexity and some transitions, but it was a good experience worth a fiver.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“There really was just not a whole lot going on with this cigar. I won’t lie, I was looking down at it multiple times, hoping I was done.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
“If this cigar was handed to me to smoke and not think about, I’d be fine with it, but to smoke and review it was difficult. There wasn’t really anything going on with this cigar. No real flavors to pull out except your typical wood, sweet tobacco and some oats……sorry this was not for me.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“I generally do not smoke lanceros due to the work needed to keep them going strong. This one however was an easy smoke and a very relaxing experience for me. The flavors from the start were not perfect but it developed into a very tasty treat. Make sure to have ample time because this is one long smoke!” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
