I’m no journalist. I make a conscious decision not to be objective with some of my coverage, especially when it comes to topics I’m passionate about, like cigars. Personally, when you’re excited about something, I think you should make that clear. Anything less is inhuman. We are all fallible humans and we have strong emotions. So, why am I opening this story that way? La Aurora just announced a new cigar called the Fuerte Sol, which will be showing up at PCA 2025 in a few days. It’s the first edition of the Family Creed series, following the León family values — the founders of La Aurora. Sourced from the “finest tobaccos” this blend sounds absolutely phenomenal, and interesting as hell.
Some people would speak ill of Dominican tobacco and Dominican-sourced cigars, and let me just say, I hear you. But one thing I always counter with is that there are brands trying to change the norm. La Aurora is one of them and this cigar, the Fuerte Sol, is an excellent representation of that idea. Oh, and so is the Small Batch Lot No. 7, or the new Hors d’Age. But I digress.
Enough small talk, what’s in the Fuerte Sol?
Featuring a complex, intriguing blend of Pennsylvania, Dominican and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos, the Fuerte Sol is sealed inside a dark, oily, and beautiful Mexican San Andrés wrapper. It’s also “harmonized” by a Nicaraguan binder. Together, that blend will introduce flavor notes like cedar, spices, cocoa, toasted nuts, oak, and citrus. The profile is creamy-sweet, with a strength of medium to full-bodied. It’s very much in line with what La Aurora has released, including the 120th Anniversary — which you need to try if you haven’t already.
The Fuerte Sol will debut in two sizes: a box-pressed robusto coming in at 5 inches by 50, and a box-pressed toro coming in at 5.75 inches by 54. La Aurora says they’ll debut a third format in quarter four later this year, the box-pressed gran toro at 6 inches by 58.
The price of the Fuerte Sol, available in boxes of 20, will range from $15.50 to $18.50 per cigar. That’s still quite reasonable, where most brands want to charge much more. Here’s the estimated breakdown:
Robusto — $310 per box or $15.50 per cigar
Toro — $360 per box or $18 per cigar
Gran Toro — $370 per box or $18.50 per cigar
What else do you have to share about the La Aurora Fuerte Sol?
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Guillermo León, President of La Aurora — who I got to meet, by the way — makes it clear that La Aurora does intend to innovate with the Fuerte Sol, per usual.
“The Family Creed Series is a new commitment to the U.S. market as we continue to innovate and listen to our consumers, as well as stay true to the Family Creed that has led our business for decades.”
That’s a hard line to toe. The brand aims to remain true to its roots while exploring innovative, unique blends that introduce new experiences. Combining the old and new is no small feat.
“To honor our family creed, we are launching a new cigar blend line that embodies the very essence of our legacy. This collection is not just a tribute to our past but a statement about our future—crafted with precision, sourced from the finest tobaccos, and blended with an understanding of both tradition and the evolving tastes of the modern connoisseur. Innovation and persistence were the keystones of this creation, as we refined every detail to ensure a cigar that speaks to both heritage and progress. Through this line, we are not just offering a product; we are shaping the future of our company, proving that legacy is not about standing still, but about continuously setting new standards for excellence.”
The Fuerte Sol shows how traditional centuries-old craftsmanship and innovative techniques can blend seamlessly.
I’m very excited to give this new release a try, and I’ll be damned if I’m not going to make that known.
A new Treasure Box is coming, too
La Aurora has also announced new packaging for its Preferidos Treasure Box. Now packaged in attractive tubo and named after precious gems, the box contains a sampling of the entire brand’s portfolio. The six Preferidos blends include Perfecto formats at 5 inches by 54: Connecticut (Sapphire), Cameroon (Platinum), Sumatra – Ecuador (Emerald), Connecticut Broadleaf (Diamond), Maduro – Brazil (Ruby), and Corojo – Ecuador (Gold).
The new Treasure Boxes will be available to retailers in early May at an estimated cost of $171 per box.
If you’re headed to PCA 2025 from April 11 to 14, you can find La Aurora at Booth 4328. You can also have a taste of the E. León Jimenes 110 Aniversario and the new E. León Jimenes 1903 Rums. They are both delicious.
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.
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
