Luciano Foreign Affair Corona – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Luciano Cigars showed their first new line of the year at TPE 2023 in Las Vegas. CEO and Founder Luciano Meirelles says that this cigar is a tribute to the globalization of the cigar industry and its smokers., to the capacity we have of connecting with one another by experiencing a great cigar together.

There is something extraordinarily magical that occurs in the shared space of smoke, cigars, and people. It’s as if barriers are bridged, and guards lowered. The experience goes beyond language, culture, gender, or any sense of otherness. Varied pathways lead to this common ground, a sacred ambience where we can connect and understand that no matter how foreign we may be to one another, the humanity in us overwhelms our perceptive differences. Those once strangers to one another are brought together, under the influence of a worldly cigar.

Luciano Meirelles – CEO & Co-founder of Luciano Cigars

The Luciano Foreign Affair is the culmination of work and between Luciano Meirelles, Frank Cossio (Co-founder of Astorian Cigar Co.), and Mike Dounoulis (Luciano Cigars‘ Regional Sales Manager & Co-founder of Astorian Cigar Co.). The three iterated on the cigar for over a year using Cossio’s attentive palate, Dounoulis’ creativity, and Meirelles’ blending ability. The final blend came together in a cigar the company says will appeal to a broad range of cigar smokers. Foreign Affair comes in four sizes: Corona – 5 ⅝ x 42 $9.50 MSRP, Rothschild – 4 ½ x 48 $10.35 MSRP, Toro Extra – 6 ½ x 52 $11.80 MSRP, and, Belicoso – 6 x 54 $12.50 MSRP. The blend uses an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, Nicaraguan and Ecuadorian binders, and Nicaraguan Costa Rican and Dominican fillers. Foreign Affair is rolled at the Luciano Cigars Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Corona
Length: 5 5/8″
Ring Gauge: 42
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua, Ecuador
Filler: Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic
Factory: Luciano Cigar Factory
Blender: Luciano Meirelles
Number of reviewers: 5 – Sean F. (fullermaine) Chris M. (Chris) Noah S. (Noah) Randy B. (randobush) Angel M. (Angel)
Price: $9.50
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: April 2023
Contributed by: Luciano Cigars

Initial Impressions – Luciano Foreign Affair Corona

Appearance: 95

“This is a solid-looking corona, maybe 5.75 x 42-44. The wrapper is a very even-hued tan/light brown. The veins are very minimal, and the pack is smooth and even. The cap up top looks to be a well-placed double.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Aroma: 93

“The aroma on the wrapper is mostly musty hay with a bit of cedar, and a faint sweet tobacco smell. On the foot, a much more pronounced smell of sweet tobacco along with baking spice.” –Angel M. (Angel)

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The initial puffs are luxuriously smooth with an abundance of flavors that kicked me square in the taste buds! Definably sweet up front and spicy on the back end. Nutmeg and cedar are the dominant notes out of the gate which lead to a dry finish and lingering tingle on the lips and tongue. Even the retro is undeniably smooth with echoes of the same sweet and spicy dynamic. Touches of dried fruit join the mix which replaces the cedar notes and take the finish from dry to tangy and mouthwatering.” –Noah S. (Noah)

“Oak and a slightly salty leather dominate after the light up. Smooth brown sugar and a bit of citrus just below that. There is a minimal mixed spice profile in the background. The brown sugar shifts to a floral sweetness around ten minutes in. The saltiness in the leather increases getting further in.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Second Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Going into the second third, all the flavors remain pretty much the same with vanilla, and nuttiness followed by baking spice and white pepper. The only major transition is that a small bitterness has kicked in, but nothing too off-putting. But I will admit the first third was better than the second.” –Angel M. (Angel)

“The flavors to me are still super flavorful, only to be exceeded by the deliciousness of the retrohale. The finish is now long and really satisfies the palate in between draws. There a hint of blood orange now that really compliments the sweet paprika, and baking spices, and salted butter, and let’s add a touch of leather here too, for good measure.” –Randy B. (randobush)

Final Third

Flavor: 94
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Currently getting an oak and mineral-rich earth up top, no peat left with the oak. The salted leather took a slight drop, back with the floral sweetness now. Still just getting a slight red pepper heat and a more minimal citrus in the back. The floral sweetness and red pepper heat do start to creep up getting into this final third a bit.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“What I’ve experienced leading up to the final third isn’t what I would consider being a transition of flavors but rather a maturation of flavors that has culminated into a blissful harmony that is nothing but balanced. The sweetness and spiciness have subsided a bit and are most prevalent on the retrohale, leaving the nuttiness in the spotlight. A delightful mix of buttery cashews and peanut shells seem to be the dominant flavors now, creating a creamy mouthfeel and a saltiness that lingers on the lips.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Overall Impressions – Luciano Foreign Affair Corona – Blind Cigar Review

Draw: 97

“The cigar has an excellent draw, smack dab in the middle of open and tight with an excellent amount of smoke output.” –Angel M. (Angel)

Burn: 97

“Nice even burn from beginning to end.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Construction: 94

“Overall the construction on this cigar is decent. The roll is firm and tight from head to foot. Although the double cap is always a nice feature, it is raised slightly in a couple of areas. The seams are also raised and could be tighter but they don’t seem to pose a risk of unraveling. A few minor blemishes are present right at the foot however they should disappear upon toasting and lighting.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 95

“A nice quick smoke with notes of tea, leather, cinnamon, black pepper, and licorice. Perfect construction, appearance, and draw. It pairs well with coffee and is definitely a cigar I’d want in my humidor and to share with friends.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“This one was pretty solid. The balance went a little off in the middle, but the flavors were enjoyable enough that it didn’t matter too much. I could see smoking these again, maybe scooping up a couple to rotate in.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“Of the all the parejo vitolas, coronas are one of my favorite sizes that I tend to reach for and I was excited when I pulled this stick out of the humidor. I just love a cigar that showcases the wrapper and binder as opposed to the filler and this blend certainly works in this vitola. Not only were the flavors explosive from the very first puff to the very last but this smoke was incredibly smooth throughout. The flavors never really transitioned but rather matured and evolved all the while complimenting one another in perfect balance. Kudos to the blender for creating a delightful blend that I can not wait to smoke again!” –Noah S. (Noah)

“I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing the cigar, with its delicious flavors, and absolutely incredible retrohale. From start to finish I’ll give it very high marks.” –Randy B. (randobush)

“Overall, this was a good cigar, unfortunately, for me, the bitterness and dryness took away from the flavors in the second and final third, but that being said it was still fairly enjoyable and smokable. I would recommend you definitely drink something while smoking this cigar to counteract the dry mouth feel.” –Angel M. (Angel)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 56

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Luciano Foreign Affair Corona – Blind Cigar Review