Saga Solaz Corona – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Today's redux review highlights the Saga Solaz line, introduced by De Los Reyes at the 2019 IPCPR trade show. This series signifies a shift toward milder strengths within the Saga portfolio, traditionally recognized for its more potent offerings.

The Saga Solaz is crafted with an Ecuadorian Connecticut claro wrapper, alongside binder and filler tobaccos sourced from the company's Dominican farms. This line, designed to embody the leisure and relaxation after work, offers a full-flavored smoke with reduced spiciness, aiming to balance robust flavor with smoothness.

The Saga Solaz is available in three sizes: the Robusto at 5 x 50, the Churchill at 7 x 48, and the Gordo at 6 x 58, each presented in 24-count boxes. This range of sizes provides options for various preferences and durations of smoking experiences. We previously reviewed the Saga Solaz Robusto here.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Corona
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 44
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Factory: De Los Reyes S.A.
Blender: Nirka Reyes
Number of reviewers: 5 – John A. (Bostoneo) Alan (Eulogy) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Quinn (quinnpins269) Randy B. (randobush)
Price: $9.00
Age: 10 Months
Release Date: July 2023
Contributed by: De Los Reyes Cigars

Initial Impressions – Saga Solaz Corona

Appearance: 93

“This is a very attractive cigar that is wearing a Connecticut shade wrapper leaf. The leaf is silky smooth and has nearly invisible seams and what appears to be a perfectly applied triple cap.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Aroma: 91

“Not too strong aroma off of this cigar, just a little light must and slight barnyard, that seems pleasantly inviting.” –Randy B. (randobush)

First Third

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

“The first puffs of the cigar are quite creamy and have a walnut finish. While I don't detect any pepper on my pallet, I do have a slight tingling at the tip of my tongue after every puff. Through the nose, the smoke is very light and has no burn, that I can discern.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“The draw is a bit loose but the smoke output is awesome. The profile is creamy with a lot of red pepper on the finish. Notes of baking spice, sweet tobacco, leather, and nuts start to develop after the peppery opening calms down.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Second Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The retrohale is extremely easy on the sinuses, And it's absolutely necessary in order to add a bit more complexity to the flavor profile of this cigar. There is nothing new as far as any noticeable transition between 1st & 2nd third. So far, it's a solid basic Connecticut that is perfect for when you just want to get a morning smoke in quickly. The draw and pummeling mouthful of smoke is a highlight.” –Randy B. (randobush)

“The cigar continued a similar profile to the first third. The light amounts of white pepper were just enough to zing the tip of my tongue but not be so overpowering to mask the rest of the profile. The ample creamy smoke had a pleasant fresh cedar aroma to it as well. The cigar continued to be a mild to medium profile.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

Final Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The last third is upon me, and this cigar is still smoking quite well. Emboldened peppered cream, leather, Brazil nut starts out the beginning of the end. This mixture remains consistent through the end whilst getting a slightly damp leather flavor towards the very end.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“Surprisingly, entering the final portion of the cigar, it began to heat up significantly. As a result, I lost the creamy walnut flavors and instead was given a woody flavor that wasn't charred, but was sharp and reminded me of a campfire. As this portion progressed the smoke began to cool again, and while the creaminess never returned the walnut flavors did return and overtook the flavors I was getting while the cigar was burning hotly. Through this final portion, the strength edged firmly into medium, and the smoke likewise through the nose began to pick up just a hint of pepper, which is welcome and a fun ending to a very nice mildish cigar.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Overall Impressions – Saga Solaz Corona

Draw: 96

“I chose to go with a straight cut for this review. It offered up an excellent draw from beginning to end.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

Burn: 94

“Burned really well the entire time. I didn't need to do any touch-ups or relights and it was an easy experience.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Construction: 93

“This was a very finely constructed cigar in appearance and burn performance. The cap never unraveled, and although I'm a chomper it held together perfectly.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Overall Strength: Mild-Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 91

“Overall, this was a wonderful cigar that was very enjoyable as it fit my preferences like a glove. Tons of light to medium-bodied cream, wood, nutty menagerie of wonderfully nuanced flavors that put me in a dreamland as if I was smoking a true luxury cigar. The only flaw I witnessed was it was a bit wavy on the burn line, however, it was nothing that was a cause for concern as it carried on fine. I'd buy boxes of this cigar for myself and wouldn't share at all, these are great! Hopefully, I can get a repeat performance.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“I really liked the first third as it had a lot of sweet tobacco notes. The nutty notes started at the halfway point and lasted till the end. If the draw was a little better I would have loved it but it was a little too airy for me. Worth a try and maybe picking up a few for when you need a good cigar and don't have a lot of time.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“This was a very nice, mild to medium cigar from beginning to end. The creamy walnut flavors were enjoyable and the finish with white pepper was a nice way to wrap things up. I was particularly pleased with the draw and performance and based on the totality, I would recommend this to all of my friends for a mild medium cigar to start the day. I only wish I had a cup of coffee to pair with this.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“Start to finish it was a very pleasant mild to medium profile cigar. The cigar performed very well never giving me any problems or needing a relight. I may not be something I smoke on a regular basis but I could see myself enjoying it as a morning cigar.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

“This was a fun little cigar to smoke. I had just eaten breakfast, and it was the perfectly light after-breakfast cigar with a cup of coffee. The burn was ridiculously fast with a total smoke time of 37 minutes from first light to the last inch, but it burned a nice and cool and never got hot or bitter. It was a mild cigar with mild medium complexity, noting that the retrohale doubled the pleasure of the overall experience. I prefer a few Connecticut over this one for a morning smoke, but I could see this one making it into the rotation when a light & quick smoke is desired.” –Randy B. (randobush)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 51

To view the complete scores and notes, click here

Saga Solaz Corona – Blind Cigar Review