A majority of cigars in the Aganorsa Leaf lineup are salty, peppery, and strong. That’s just the way I like them. But I know not everyone out there likes a kick in the teeth. That’s cool. For you, Aganorsa has a lot of other options, too, like the JFR Corojo, JFR Connecticut, Aniversario series, and New Cuba. Well, add another one to that list: Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio.
Originally blended by Cuban legend and longtime master blender Arsenio Ramos for his own, personal enjoyment, the cigar features tobacco from Aganorsa seeds grown on the man’s favorite Aganorsa farms. Today, it’s reblended and packaged for everyone to enjoy, and enjoy it we shall. Sorry, the correct Aganorsa term is “validate.” We are going to validate the Arsenio.
Of course, that begs the question: What does this special smoke taste like? What does it smoke like? Is it really Cubanesque as promised? Pour yourself a nice tall glass of something cold and refreshing, cut the cap and light your stogie and let’s smoke this conversation out.
Yackity yack, I’m going to share my cigar sack. Okay, really, I’m just sharing how I store my cigars, like I always do. That gives you a baseline to follow when and if you smoke the same thing.
I keep my humidor’s relative humidity (RH) between 64 and 67 and the temps in my house stay around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, I always let my cigars rest. The Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio had well over four weeks of rest before I lit one up. I know, I know, that’s a long time, but I’ve been in and out of my depression for a turn now, and sometimes, I just don’t feel like lighting one up. I want to make sure I can enjoy it when I do. The mental drop makes it hard to enjoy even some of the things you love at times.
During testing I deployed my usual straight cut, V cut, and punch — but I prefer straight. I know some folks prefer other cuts, but I’ve talked to several master blenders who recommend the guillotine method. Anyway, I like the draw it provides. But don’t get your whiskers wet just yet, I do try out several types of cuts each time I review a cigar.
The Arsenio cut with no problems, no mess, and lit just as easily. Most importantly, I had no burn issues, no tunneling, and it never went out on me. It held a pristine ash line all the way down. Those are all positives that carried over through several smoking sessions. Any good cigar experience is a good day in my book, and the Arsenio made many days better thus far, at least for me.
The Arsenio is sweet. It almost seems like it has a sweet cap, but don’t worry, sweet cap haters, there isn’t one. It is bursting with flavor, though, sweet and spicy, with a bright hue of notes. It’s bright enough and complex enough that I would classify this one as a dessert outright — not unlike my favorite Rare Leaf Reserve. It would be a phenomenal smoke after a big steak dinner or a delicious Southern barbecue.
Starting with the vibrant Corojo wrapper, that surrounds a Criollo ’98 dual binder, mixed with leaf from Esteli, and mixed fillers from Condega and Jalapa, Nicaragua. It looks fantastic with the labels on, and also with the labels off. But the bright blue of the secondary band on this thing is captivating. The intricate designs remind me of tribal art, or for some weird fucking reason, mermaids. I dunno, that’s what I’m getting.
But then I see Arsenio’s handsome profile on the primary band, happily blowing out a smoke ring, and I’m reminded this has nothing to do with manatees, mermaids, or sea monkeys.
Diving further in, you’ll taste molasses or caramelized sugar, dried fruit, vanilla, hay, floral notes, peppercorn and saltiness, especially in the last third. But if you can, try to imagine that sweet goodness existing with the rest of those flavors, never quite muted. Almost like a sweet cream poured atop the rest of the dessert. It’s delectable. Joyful. Triumphant.
It does, in that respect, have a very Cubanesque flavor profile. Although if you’re looking for that Cuban twang, you’re not going to get it here, sadly. You will get that Cuban flavor-changing experience, with incredibly diverse medleys waning and peaking in volume harmoniously. You could call it a symphony of flavor. I’d venture to guess you don’t have to be a cigar pro to have a good time with this one, either. But I will always, always recommend learning to retrohale, and I will die on that hill.
Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio: Closing statements
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
If you like a smooth, medium smoke with some sweetness, plenty of pepper — on the tongue, not spice — and a growing list of flavors to add to your experience journal, the Arsenio is one to try. It cuts well, lights well, and smokes well. It does have a Cubanesque flavor profile, though it’s still New World-esque in experience. As long as you don’t go in expecting it to be an authentic Cuban, you’ll be fine.
Do I recommend it? Yes. For pretty much everyone who smokes cigars, because I know most of you out there like a variety. Will I smoke it again? Yes, absolutely, and I already have.
If you’re looking for more cigars like it, you can stay in the Aganorsa family or branch out a little, but you have to know, this one is fairly unique. If you like the Arsenio, stock up on the Arsenio.
Briley specifics
Recommended: Yes
Would I smoke it again? Yes.
Will I buy more? Yes, I already have.
My preferred size: Corona (6 by 44)
Arsenio specs
Profile: Medium-bodied
Approximate smoking time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Box count: 15
MSRP: $255 or ~$17 per stick (Toro size)
If you like this, you might also like: Aganorsa Rare Leaf Reserve Corojo, Aganorsa Rare Leaf Fusion, Aganorsa Supreme Leaf (any size), Guardian of the Farm Cerberus, Crafted by JR Aganorsa, Alec Bradley Prensado, C.L.E. Corojo, Warped La Colmena.
You’ll notice that my format is meant to be short and sweet, like this La Aurora Fuerte Sol review, or the previous Aganorsa Rare Leaf Maduro review. I don’t intend to keep up with the big leagues, I’m one guy. There won’t be any scores. However, I do want these reviews to be a resource for those looking for similar smokes or experiences.
Briley has over 16 years in the publishing and content marketing business. He's been writing about cigars for nearly half that in various forms. What makes him a tour de force is he also smokes them.
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Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
