Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio Toro – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

The latest release from AGANORSA Leaf is a tribute to the late master blender, Arsenio Ramos. The new AGANORSA Leaf Arsenio follows the footsteps of the retired Casa Fernandez Arsenio and Arsenio Oro lines.

The blend features a corojo wrapper from Jalapa, Nicaragua, paired with two binders: criollo 98 and tobacco from Estelí. The fillers are sourced from AGANORSA‘s own farms in Condega and Jalapa. It is available in three sizes: Corona (6 x 44) for $14.99 (box of 15, $224.85), Robusto (5 1/4 x 54) for $15.99 (box of 15, $239.85), and Toro (6 x 52) for $16.99 (box of 15, $254.85). For 2024, production is limited to 2,000 boxes each for the Robusto and Toro, and 1,500 boxes for the Corona, Arsenio Ramos‘ preferred size.

Ramos, a pivotal figure in the Cuban tobacco industry, brought his expertise to AGANORSA after leaving Cuba in the early 2000s. His legacy continues through this blend, a nod to his remarkable contributions and the unique flavors he helped craft. The new line will debut at the 2024 PCA Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas and will be shipping to stores this month.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Aganorsa
Blender: Max Fernandez
Number of reviewers: 4 – Randy B. (randobush) Mickey T. (irratebass) Bradlee W. (Brad W.) Fred L. (Fred L.)
Price: $15.99
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: March 2024
Contributed by: Aganorsa Leaf

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 88

“Dry, crispy feeling light brown wrapper.” –Bradlee W. (Brad W.)

Aroma: 93

“Rarely do I garner praise on pre-light aroma, but this cigar was quite pleasing
It reminded me of the smell of my grandpa’s old Chevy truck on the inside, from my youth.
Musty and leftover sweet tobacco spit cup smell. Doesn’t sound good, but it is.” –Randy B. (randobush)

First Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“Cocoa, hay, and just good tobacco flavors in the first third.” –Bradlee W. (Brad W.)

“The cold draw meets me with flavors of milk chocolate, salt, and roasted peanuts. I get a tight draw that makes me take a few puffs each time before any action happens. Then I get caramel notes mixed with some faint cream. The draw does tend to loosen up some close to the end of this third and I am picking up honey flavors as well as that same caramel as well some bread notes on the retro. The strength is a mild to medium.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Second Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“I get the same caramel flavors, but there are also some peanut and coffee notes peeking about. The tight draw returns about the middle of this third and I have to baby it. My nursing abilities have seemed to settle the stick down some and there is a very strong honey flavor that is prevalent. The cigar has mellowed to a mild cigar now.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“A retrohale brings a pleasant rush of white pepper with hints of leather, cream and a subtle honey sweetness. The profile picks up a bit more meat here, delving into a more refined array of flavors such as cinnamon, leather, and a saltly/mineral note on the finish.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Transition again in the final third. Oak and coffee and a little black pepper combine with the pillowy graham cracker salty baking spice for a pleasant draw. The finish is med-long and salt and oak stays on the palate the longest. Retrohale is delightfully pleasing!” –Randy B. (randobush)

“This last stretch brought forth much more flavor and power than its’ predecessors with a more nuanced caramel sweetness and hearty baking spice supported by subtle hints of rich leather and mineral.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 89

“I had a few instances in the first two thirds where the draw was very tight and I had to puff a few times to get anything out of it, but it did eventually correct itself and caused no more issues.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Burn: 94

“Excellent burn even though there were draw issues I did not have to touch it up or relight it.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Construction: 88

“The draw was certainly a constant battle, however, the ash held tight in neat white stacks.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 88

“Most notable here was the wild transitions in between thirds. Started out strong and powerful, with hearty spice, and a super zesty retrohale. Transitioning to no spice but a hearty charred oak, coffee, and more soft and subtle retrohale. Finally to a smooth and relaxing oak and coffee with a salty baking spice. Very nice cigar that kept me interested the whole journey.
It’s a thumbs up!” –Randy B. (randobush)

“Overall this was a very good cigar that I would happily smoke again. There were enough flavors to keep my interest with Caramel, salt, honey, peanut and coffee flavors. The cigar started out as a mild to medium and eventually ended up being more mild which was fine with me.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Overall a solid smoke, I wouldn’t go out of my way to smoke this flavor profile daily, coupled with the burn issues gives it a mediocre scoring for me.” –Bradlee W. (Brad W.)

“Overall, this is a decent mellow-medium bodied cigar that would make a great recommendation for beginners or those who prefer the lighter side. A mostly sweet profile, its’ defining notes consisted of white pepper, caramel, honey, baking spices, and leather. Unfortunately, the construction was a bit lagging. The draw was certainly a constant battle, however, the ash held tight in neat white stacks. While the wrapper seemed quite handsome, it torn quite a bit throughout smoking and left me a bit disappointed.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 82

To view the complete scores and notes, click here

Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio Toro – Blind Cigar Review