Blind Cigar Review: Vallorani | The Aurelius

Cigar Info

Vallorani Cigars are made by the renowned Alberto Medina of PIO Resurrection Cigars. Medina has been producing unique and powerful blends for the American and European markets for over 16 years. This new brand has just finalized their distribution in the US, so look out for them this year. The first cigar we are taking a look at is the Vallorani | The Aurelius

Hand-rolled in Nicaragua, The Aurelius is beloved for its consistently satisfying taste and rugged hints of earth and spice. A perfectly suited cigar to start your adventure off right. Vallorani Cigars, The Luigi and The Aurelius, are built exclusively by Alberto Medina, an internationally recognized manufacturer of cigars. Their cigars are the product of nearly twenty years of excellence and expertise in the cigar industry, forged by Medina's passion, knowledge, and utmost attention to detail and quality. Boasting a stout nature, these handpicked, hand-rolled, top-shelf cigars feature a Maduro wrapper and Nicaraguan filler.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Dominican Republic; Nicaragua
Factory: Vallorani Cigars
Blender: Alberto Medina
Number of reviewers: 5 – Kent (Throck) John I. (John I.) Mickey T. (irratebass) Adam B. (Bushboy) Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Price: $10.00
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: 2016
Contributed by: Vallorani Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 86

“This cigar has a nice look. Dark brown, box press and very cleanly rolled. The seams aren't perfect, but the look is not distracting. The foot looks well bunched and the pack feels even, albeit light for the size.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

Aroma: 88

“The aroma isn't strong, but there are notes of coffee and wood as well as a faint femented scent, particularly at the foot.” –John I. (John I.)

First Third

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

“Tremendous and distinct flavors immediately here, there is a smooth caramel sweetness, and a nice earthiness. Unfortunately the draw is crazy light and I think overheating it going to be an issue. After just a couple puffs there is some charcoal bitterness on the finish and it is burning really hot. Ash held for about an inch, then plopped into my lap and exploded. Disappointing. Flavor wise after about 15 minutes there is still plenty of sweetness, with some additional oaky flavors dominating, but there is still a bit of ammonia harshness on the finish.” –John I. (John I.)

“Intense flavors and big smoke production as soon as the fire hits this one. Bold pepper and toasted wood. The pepper is not too spicy or overpowering. Some dark, dried fruit and baking spice mix in the profile. The retrohale is smooth but not boring. It is like a sweet spiced rum.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

Second Third

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

“Getting a little bit of nut flavor, but can't tell which one, maybe hazelnut. Still lots of cream/butter, and now some milk chocolate has popped up. Finally getting some spice now at the end of the 2nd.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Second third is definitely better than the first. The flavors are settling in a working together a bit nicer. Still has the clove flavor and a nutty undertone has developed. The aroma is almost floral at times which is surprising. The burn has been fantastic and almost dead nuts straight. Easy draw, good smoke output. I am hopeful the final third stays the course and finishes strong.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The final third was pretty much a continuation from the second in the sense of flavors. The sweetness prevailed with tobacco and leather notes always at scene.” –Kent (Throck)

“The sour notes have resolved somewhat, but the final third is burning really hot. Any flavors that could be isolated at this point would largely be characterized as “charred.” After a long break between drawing on this there are still some nice things happening, but they remain really difficult to pin point. Definitely some earthy, leathery flavor hidden in the mix here.” –John I. (John I.)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 94

“The draw was just the right resistance, and each one came with big smoke output.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

Burn: 91

“The burn stayed true and never threatened to go out. The ash collecting at the foot was not dense and would cascade off with about a centimeter of accumulation.” –Kent (Throck)

Construction: 84

“The cigar was very nice looking. It was well built and properly rolled. A minor burn issue may have been a construction related issue, but that is uncertain.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 88

“The cigar would have been great if the construction was on par with the other aspects. I will likely try this one again in the future and hope that the construction on my trial was a fluke and not an inherent quality.” –Kent (Throck)

“Such a shame. I think that there is something worth exploring here, but the inherent flavors were just totally hammered by bad construction. Total smoking time is going to come in at around 50 minutes, so this thing just really burned hot and fast despite efforts to maintain a tempo to avoid overheating. I'd definitely try another in hopes that the poor construction here was a fluke.” –John I. (John I.)

“This was a nice cigar that could have been smoked anytime of the day, I believe this would pair nicely with a cup of Joe, but I could also pair it with some spirits as well. It never got hot, the construction & burn were impeccable. It had lots of cream/butter nuts and just a tiny bit of spice at the end. All in all this was a tasty cigar. If I had to guess I would say this is a Padron of some sort.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Flavors were a little mixed to begin, but they settled in and lead to a nice overall smoke. I kept getting a extremely floral aroma off the foot which was pleasant. Probably not a cigar I would reach for unless the price was right. Cold night, quick smoke. Overall was a decent smoke.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)

“Because the flavors were so nice, I would look past the burn issue and try this cigar again. The mix of sweetness and spice was very pleasing and I would reach for this cigar again.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 52

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Kent	83	95	90	92	90	95	90	80	88
John I.	90	88	88	78	85	75	88	80	83
Mickey T.	87	90	88	88	90	100	92	97	95
Adam B.	83	88	85	88	90	93	92	87	88
Matthew T.	87	88	90	88	88	90	85	87	90

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.