At IPCPR 2016, La Aurora launched three new vitolas sans tube in each of the 7 blends of the “La Aurora 1903 Edition” line. The company started with the introduction of these formats in the Diamond, Sapphire and Emerald blends. Today we are reviewing the La Aurora | Preferidos Diamond Broadleaf Toro.
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 three new sizes were: Corona (5 ½ x 42), Robusto (5 x 50) and Toro 5 ½ x 54) priced Prices USD $157.68 USD $177.39 USD $193.16 USD per box respectively. These vitolas were added to give consumers more choices to fit their preferences as well as save on cost as they are offered without the tube originally found over these blends.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 5 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Factory: E. León Jimenes Tabacalera
Blender: Manuel Inoa
Number of reviewers: 5 – Ryan H.(Ryan H.) Daniel S. (Daniel S.) Mickey T.(irratebass) John A.(Bostoneo) Dave W. (mdwest)
Price: $10.50
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: July 2016
Contributed by: La Aurora
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 89
“This cigar has a chocolate colored wrapper with some brown and tan color mixed into the chocolate colored wrapper. In the light, the wrapper sparkled from the minerals in the wrapper. At first glance the cigar looks well rolled but does have some big veins going through the length of the cigar which takes away from the overall look of the cigar. The seams of the wrapper look a little loose.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
Aroma: 90
“Manure on the body with manure mixed with chocolate on the foot. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Blind Cigar Review: La Aurora | Preferidos Diamond Broadleaf Toro
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Perfume like floral notes hit the tongue on the light while a mustiness lingers on the palette. A quarter inch in a bold amount of black pepper enters the fray with minor notes of dark cocoa, soap/floral, and smoky woodsiness coat the tongue. This profile remains throughout the rest of the third. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“Wow! The bitter chocolate and earthy notes this stick puts out in the first inch are thick enough to chew on. A real flavor bomb!” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Second Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
Blind Cigar Review: La Aurora | Preferidos Diamond Broadleaf Toro
“The leather is a lot more pronounced now. Draw and burn are performing great. Loving the profile now, sweet bread and mud” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“A tiny bit of sweetness makes itself known on the finish of every puff during the second third. Otherwise the flavors remain the same as the first third. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Final Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The final third begins with a big peppery start with notes of dark chocolate on the finish. Intense smoky flavor and syrupy sweetness comes in with an uneven burn, touch up time. This stick finished up with pure spicy black pepper, nap time. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Blind Cigar Review: La Aurora | Preferidos Diamond Broadleaf Toro
“This cigar just keeps getting better. Bread is beginning to dial further and further back. The mud is coming to the fore front. The orange zest is still on the finish as well” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 93
“Draw is on point and has the perfect amount of resistance. Also getting a good amount of smoke with each draw.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
Burn: 92
“Very good burn with no touch ups needed.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Construction: 94
“Was a little worried about the construction because of how loose the seams looked However, there was no construction issues and the cigar burned cool the whole time.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 92
“I really enjoyed this cigar. Would look forward to buying some ” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Overall I would say the cigar was ok. The whole time smoking it, it felt like something was missing flavor wise. I like pepper but it got boring after a while with the same note. I felt that the flavors lacked complexity and depth. The draw was really good and the cigar had good smoke production. The construction was also solid.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
“This was an ok smoke, it was too one dimensional for me. The cigar didn’t really hold my attention. Strength was medium at best. Unfortunately there was some tar build up that made me put it down with about 2 inches to go. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Overall this was a solid performing smoke. A bit full bodied and strong for sure, make sure you have something in your stomach before smoking this bad boy, it will hit you going into the second half. Flavors were spot on for a full bodied smoke and diverse enough to make it interesting. Try one out, may be your next full bodied goto!” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“One of the best smokes I’ve had this year. All I need to know is what this stick was. I am ready to go buy a box tomorrow. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: La Aurora | Preferidos Diamond Broadleaf Toro
Overall Score – 91 – Very Good
Blind Cigar Review: La Aurora | Preferidos Diamond Broadleaf Toro
Summary
"Overall this was a solid performing smoke. A bit full bodied and strong for sure, make sure you have something in your stomach before smoking this bad boy, it will hit you going into the second half. Flavors were spot on for a full bodied smoke and diverse enough to make it interesting. Try one out, may be your next full bodied goto!" -John A. (Bostoneo)
