Miami Cigar & Company announced in May last year that the Don Lino Africa line would return to shelves in 2019. It was shown off at IPCPR. The re-release of this cigar is part of the companies 30th anniversary celebration. It started shipping on November 18th, 2019. THis time around, the cigar is blended by AJ Fernandez and rolled at his factory Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua in Estelí, Nicaragua.
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.
Don Lino Africa uses an Ecuadorian Habano 2000 wrapper, African Cameroon binder, and Piloto Dominicano, Ometepe, Jalapa, and Esteli fillers. It comes five sizes, all box-pressed, Robusto “Duma” 5×50 ($9.00 MSRP), Belicoso “Kifaru” 6.25×52 ($10.50 MSRP), Toro “Punda Milia” 5.5×54 ($10.00 MSRP), Gran Toro “Tembo” 6×60 ($11.00 MSRP), and Petite Corona “Kudu” 4×44 ($5.98 MSRP).
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Robusto Length: 5″ Ring Gauge: 50 Country of Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000 Binder: Cameroon Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Blender: A.J. Fernandez Number of reviewers: 4 – Matt Cade(CADE) Jeremey W. (Jeremey) Sean F.(fullermaine) Joseph S.(Bearded Bastard) Price: $9.00 Age: 4 Months Release Date: November 2019 Contributed by: Miami Cigar & Co
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 95
“This box-pressed beauty is comprised of a milk chocolate colored wrapper and some very dark tobaccos in the filler when examining the foot.” –Matt Cade (CADE)
Aroma: 93
“Notes of leather and cocoa to start.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)
“Very strong spice and mineral on the nose upon torching the cigar, accompanied by strong notes of oak and earthiness on the draw. Smoke production and construction overall is impressive.” –Matt Cade (CADE)
“A great combo of earth, coffee with a touch of woodsy” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)
“Even burn still going strong. The cocoa and leather notes give way to notes of tea and cream.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)
“The second third is just as enjoyable as the first with the same flavor profile at play (mineral on the nose with woodsy and earthy notes on the draw) and the strength increases slightly around the halfway mark as the spice on the retrohale picks up a notch as well.” –Matt Cade (CADE)
“At the start of the final third a nice cedar joins the oak, that multi-layered woodsy profile meshed with the earthiness (along with the ever present spice and mineral through the nose) is really impressing me. The strength settles down a bit too in the last stages and it makes for a highly enjoyable finale.” –Matt Cade (CADE)
“Complexity of notes. Flavors coming through include sugar, espresso, and pepper. Earlier notes of cocoa and leather return for a brief moment.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 94
“Close to perfect draw.” –Jeremey W. (Jeremey)
Burn: 89
“Burned really well, had a few touch ups due to unevenness but nothing bad.” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)
Construction: 96
“As a fan of box pressed cigars, this cigar was constructed beautifully. No flaws in the making of this stick.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)
“Nice aroma, fantastic flavors that are both complex and easily discernible – this is a very well blended and constructed cigar that I would smoke again and again and again. And again. I didn’t want to let this one end…” –Matt Cade (CADE)
“This cigar doesn’t even qualify as a yardgar for me. The taste of barnyard and must was overwhelming that I couldn’t even get through the final 3rd.” –Jeremey W. (Jeremey)
“Whether on your porch, deck, or lounge, this cigar is worth the time and relaxation to enjoy. Great flavors throughout this stick. Grab a few when the opportunity presents itself.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)
“After a long rough day of ER visits to have staples put into one of my kids head, (yes she is fine, she has a hard head just like her dad, and was laughing as head juice was pouring out) this was a pleasant cigar to finally kick back and relax with. A solid bold flavor throughout, great draw, a solid medium to full strength, it paired well with an evening of stupid movies as the wind blew outside. Loved it. It hit the spot, like my kids head on the damn coffee table.” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Don Lino Africa | Duma
Overall Score – 90 – Very Good
Blind Cigar Review: Don Lino Africa | Duma
Summary
"Nice aroma, fantastic flavors that are both complex and easily discernible - this is a very well blended and constructed cigar that I would smoke again and again and again. And again. I didn’t want to let this one end..." -Matt Cade (CADE)
