The box makes a wonderful gift for cigar lovers you know, whether beginners just getting into the craft or aficionados with a storied history of the leaf. Like anywhere else, Christmas in the Dominican Republic is a season of vibrant, festive traditions.

“From the joyful sounds of Aguinaldos echoing through neighborhoods to the warmth of La Cena Navideña shared among families, this unique season reflects the spirit of togetherness and celebration,” says Iturbides Zaldivar, La Aurora’s Director of Sales and Marketing.

The bundle is uniquely curated “to embody that spirit, offering cigar lovers a taste of Dominican excellence wrapped in the festive soul of the holidays.”

What’s In the La Aurora Holiday Box?

You get 10 cigars total, two each of the following:

• La Aurora Original Blend Connecticut 1987 
• La Aurora Preferido 1903 Cameroon 
• La Aurora Family Creed Fuerte Sol 
• La Aurora 120th Anniversary 
• La Aurora ADN Dominicano

If you do the math, that works out to about $13 per cigar which is a pretty good price. Especially since you’re getting the new Family Creed Fuerte Sol and the delicious La Aurora 120th Anniversary in the mix.

I had a chance to review the Fuerte Sol and I came away with a positive experience, to say the least. Featuring a thick, beautiful Mexican San Andres wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and mixed fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Pennsylvania it’s a notch up, pepper especially, from what La Aurora generally proffers. It’s a delectable treat, with flavors like cedar, wood, cocoa, baking spices, toasted marshmallow, caramel, subtle earth, anise and licorice. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

The post La Aurora gets festive with a holiday bundle appeared first on The BS Lounge.

Then again, maybe people don’t know how to find the smaller “boutique” brands out there in a sea of big names and hot, smoky promises. Allow me to introduce you to the previously mentioned Aria Exclusives. A Dominican-born cigar maker with handcrafted varieties from “la ciudad corazon.” The heart of the local trade.

This is one of those brands I simply cannot understand why it doesn’t have more fans, and more buzz. Okay, that’s a lie. Aria Exclusives can be tough to get your hands on depending on where you are. But still, they’re incredible cigars.

If you haven’t already, pour yourself a cool glass, light up a delicious stogie and let’s get this smokeshow on the road.

What can you tell us about Aria Exclusives?

Source: Aria Exclusives

A lot of cigar makers sprout like a bud from humble beginnings. But it’s difficult to see the big, successful companies of today as smaller, more craft-like operations. AJ Fernandez or E.P. Carrillo (Casa Carillo) for example, have really made a name for themselves, growing their operations to levels beyond what one might consider modest. That’s not the case with Aria Exclusives. It has humble beginnings, and while the brand has definitely made a name for itself among the community, it’s still very much in its inception stages.

Co-owners, Yoey and Gerard started the brand with the help of some friends after truly delving into the foundational elements of the trade. The journey actually began “with a project focused on creating hookah tobacco,” which is certainly intriguing. But the team says after “spending considerable time with cigar factories,” they changed gears and “discovered a passion for the cigar industry and the intricate art of cigar making.”

“Without hesitation, we embraced this newfound love and dedicated ourselves to our craft.”

I don’t know how you feel, dear reader, but I love the backstory. I too, fell in love with the craft and have found a new outlook after visiting cigar factories and seeing all the work that people put in behind the scenes. It’s a miracle these cigars make it to store shelves and into our hands.

Before writing, I caught up with the Aria team and asked some brief introductory questions. They responded in kind. That’s where all these quotes are coming from.

“At Aria Exclusives, we are a boutique cigar brand dedicated to crafting exceptional premium cigars at accessible prices. Our cigars are meticulously produced in our factory located in Tamboril, Santiago, Dominican Republic, using only the finest quality tobacco selected specifically for our unique blends.”

The finest quality ingredients, indeed. I know a lot of cigars are relaxing and offer what one might consider thought-provoking experiences, but Aria Exclusive cigars are standouts. I haven’t had every single blend, mind you, but the ones I have had are phenomenal.

They’re flavor bombs and if you take even just a precursory peek on social media, you’ll find many that agree.

What about the Aria Exclusive labels?

Source: Aria Exclusives

Many Aria Exclusive labels derive their names from their wrapper and tobacco blends. Like the Connecticut, Habano, or San Andres. Of course, they have more unique offerings, too, such as the Eternal Knot Rose — a balanced blend of Dominican, Pennsylvanian, Columbian and Ecuadorian tobaccos. The Rose will gingerly load your senses with flavors like earthy, cocoa, wood, citrus, and sweetness with a subtle spice undertone. The Eternal Knot Gold, on the other hand, will deliver leather, spices, earth, nuttiness, and a silky smoothness that pads the tongue like a soft pillow.

My favorites — out of what I’ve had — are the Aria Exclusives Corojo and the Habano.

“As a young company, we are backed by extensive experience and guided by a master blender who has collaborated with some of the most renowned cigar brands in the Dominican Republic. At Aria Exclusives, we consider ourselves a family, extending that same warmth and care to our customers.”

Master Blenders, as you hopefully know by now, help create the unique blends that make up the diverse, complex world of modern tobaccos and cigars. Almost every brand has one behind the scenes, and it’s exciting to see that Aria Exclusives has a renowned artist steering the sensory ship, mystery or not.

As for what’s in store, Aria is expanding with new lines, which will be available in due time:

“Currently, we offer our foundational line of cigars alongside a selection of limited releases, with plans underway for the second edition of our basic line, which will be launched once it’s ready.”

Where can you get Aria Exclusives cigars?

Boutique brands or small brands can be tough to get your hands on, especially outside local shops and areas. Luckily, Aria Exclusives has some options available. You can shop directly through the brand’s storefront — they offer merchandise, too.

There’s a Cigar Smoker Club page, as well. But they don’t have all the current blends available, so keep that in mind. I’ve never used them personally. The Aria Exclusives cigars I was able to try, I was sent by a friend.

I will say, if you have the opportunity to try some, take it. You will not be disappointed.

The post Friday Brand Feature: Aria Exclusives appeared first on The BS Lounge.

The latest release, the La Aurora Family Creed Series: Fuerte Sol, proves they understand the highs and lows of the cigar industry — from one extreme to another. I mean, you’d expect that to be the case with over a century in the industry, but stranger things have happened.

Just what the hell am I talking about? Pull up a chair, grab a drink or a snack, light one up and let’s get talking.

An established relationship

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

As you likely know, if you’re here, I have a history with La Aurora. I had the unique opportunity to visit the Dominican Republic and tour the facilities and tobacco fields. But even before that, I was familiar with the brand and have long supported Dominican tobacco, something that’s not common in the industry.

There are a lot of people that don’t like Dominican cigars or tobacco, for whatever reason. Either they think it’s too mild, especially when compared to Nicaraguan-sourced cigars, or they don’t like the flavor profile and quality of the cigars. For me, La Aurora has always been a standout and its most recent offerings are no exception. From the 107 to the delicious 120th anniversary, La Aurora’s cigars are a staple in my humidor.

I tend to smoke stronger cigars

But let’s not forget, I’m also a big fan of Aganorsa. I love Nicaraguan-grown tobaccos and I usually smoke stronger, full-bodied cigars. That’s a significant contrast to most Dominican cigars, even those from EP Carrillo (now Casa Carrillo). I might work some Dominican-sourced offerings in there, but they’re hardly the only types of cigars I smoke. And if I’m being real, I have to be in the mood for something mellower, I’d usually grab AJ, Aganorsa, or bolder, spicier blends out of my humidor.

The point I’m trying to make here is that I smoke a wide variety of cigars from various brands and regions, and I’m not just a one-trick pony. And although I have a storied history with the brand, I’m not above calling out some bullshit — from any brand. I’m talking about those marketing gimmicks where they promise something special or unique and it’s a Fugazi.

Let me be clear, La Aurora’s Fuerte Sol has none of that behind it. Intrinsically, it’s unique compared to the brand’s current portfolio, and takes things in an entirely new direction, legitimately.

Fuerte Sol tasting with Manuel Ynoa and the La Aurora team

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Alongside a few big names in the media camp, I sat down on a virtual call with some other enthusiasts, the La Aurora team and the brand’s master blender, Manual Ynoa — the man responsible for most of its cigar creations.

I had done this before with the launch of the 120th Anniversary, which is delicious, by the way. This time, we were tasting both the Fuerte Sol and the new E. Leon Jimenes 110 Anniversario dominican rum (about $100 for 750ml). The idea was to test out the pairings between the two and see how the flavor profiles and experience complement one another.

These virtual tastings with La Aurora are always a treat. It’s not just about pushing their new cigars or products, but they walk you through the development process, the brains behind the operation, and much more.

What happens during a virtual tasting?

You get a backstage view of everything going on at the company, and there’s a lot going on for sure. But also, it’s a chance for Ynoa and the rest of the team to interact with people who have an affinity for the brand and its cigars. We all get the unique opportunity to share our experiences, thoughts, and sort-of a mini review. The goal for La Aurora there is to collect valuable feedback for future iterations.

Guided, we lit up the Fuerte Sol and tried a pouring of the rum. We discussed the flavors, what’s in each product, what the initial goals were for the La Aurora team, and what they were trying to achieve with them, and then we had a candid round of questions and feedback.

What struck me the most was the experience of the Fuerte Sol. Don’t get me wrong, the rum is excellent. It’s a dark, sweet pairing that would go smoothly with almost anything cigar wise, but it particularly brings out the darker notes of the Fuerte Sol.

Why the La Aurora Family Creed Fuerte Sol is “different”

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Even before you light it up, if you just peek at the description, you’ll know right away the brand has gone in a slightly different direction here. The Fuerte Sol wrapper is a delightfully brown Mexican San Andrés leaf, but the fillers are mixed with Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Pennsylvania tobaccos. This is not a Dominican puro, and it’s quite a bit stronger for it.

It’s bolder than La Aurora’s usual portfolio. Don’t get me wrong, the 120th is delicious, the 107 and Maduro variety tend to be medium to full-bodied, and the ADN and Hors D’age are also stand-outs. But the Fuerte Sol is a spicy, peppery delight.

It’s medium to full-bodied with flavors like dried fruit and raisins, lots of leather, baking spices, pepper, and even notes of rum or liqueur. Where before I might smoke a La Aurora cigar at the beginning of my session, the Fuerte Sol, I’d be happy to smoke in the middle or even at the end, depending on what I chose as my lineup.

It’s an excellent merger of Dominican DNA and Nicaraguan and mixed tobaccos that put the brand on par with some of its competitors, at least in the bolder space. It also fills a gap in the La Aurora portfolio for someone that likes their cigars stronger and more fulfilling.

On the call, it was also made clear that some of the La Aurora crew felt this might be too much of a bold move in a different direction — a big departure — and there was a question whether cigar audiences would like the change or not. Personally, I think they hit it out of the ballpark and I’m excited to see where this goes from here.

It took over 70 tries to find the right blend

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

This wasn’t an overnight success. Ynoa and the team shared that they tested and blew through over 70 different blends before settling on the one used in the Fuerte Sol. It’s a quick glimpse behind the curtain, so to speak, at what it takes to find an exceptional crafting. We often don’t see that from the consumer side. We just see a single cigar blend launched and we might take it for granted, heaping it with praise or otherwise. But usually, there’s a lot of work done to get to that point, including hundreds if not thousands of burned, tasted, and smoked cigar potentials.

While they have nothing concrete to announce yet, La Aurora did toy with the idea of releasing some of those other blends the team was fond of during testing. They also made it clear the Family Creed series will continue, so there will be more releases in that product line.

For now, I just think it’s inspiring this tiger is changing its stripes. I, for one, am excited to see the entire industry moving in new, semi-experimental directions. It’s great to see my guys — La Aurora — one of the brands leading that pack.

The La Aurora Family Creed Fuerte Sol is already out in Robusto (5 by 50) and Toro (5.8 by 54) sizes, although sold out currently at most retailers. They also have a Gran Toro (6 by 58) size releasing soon.

In Robusto size, the Fuerte Sol is about $310 for a box of 20, or $16, give or take for a single. Neptune Cigars has them for reasonable prices if you want to give them a try.

The post Over 120 years in, La Aurora is still innovating with Fuerte Sol: I’m here for it appeared first on The BS Lounge.

The La Aurora 120th is absolutely delicious. Brimming with cinnamon, gingerbread, anise, baked dough, cedar, and toasty flavors, it’s a medium to full-bodied cigar that’s relaxing, almost sanctimoniously so. It’s a Dominican puro, featuring a Habano 92 wrapper, with Corojo, Olor, and Piloto Cubano fillers.

Every time I get a chance to have one, I take it. You should, too.

La Aurora says the Lancero has a “sweetness that enters the fold with a sweet cocoa and creamy coffee bean, soon evolving into a smooth vanilla finish.” It eventually “transitions to dry fruit and rich tropical notes, with subtle hints of wild honey and rich earth.”

La Aurora 120 Aniversario Lancero is a limited release

Source: La Aurora

Limited to 750 boxes on its initial run, the 120 Lancero will be available to buy from retailers sometime mid-summer. The MSRP is about $18 per cigar. That puts the box of 20 at about $360. That’s pretty much the same price as the core 120th Anniversary line.

Why a Lancero? I was wondering the same. Not in a bad or mocking way, just curious why this particular format. La Aurora’s Master Blender, Manuel Ynoa, has the deets.

“Entrusted to only our most seasoned rollers, the lancero is a format I have come to love due to the challenge in crafting each blend.”

He explains it’s tough to get right.

“Blender and Roller must work hand in hand to ensure a flawless product, and this collection defines the La Aurora brand and the quality for which it stands.”

He also explains that the flavor and experience change a little, and why.

“Furthermore, the lancero necessitates less filler, and as a result, each blend takes on a life of its own that differs in nuanced ways from the other formats in the line, making for a truly unique experience to share with others.”

Lancero cigars tend to be a pretty popular format amongst hardcore cigar enthusiasts, and the way Ynoa explains it, I can see why. Either way, I’m excited and interested in trying the new size, which really isn’t a different blend at all, but will still provide a unique experience because of the way it’s crafted.

The post La Aurora 120 Aniversario Lancero is coming this summer appeared first on The BS Lounge.

Some of the brand’s cheaper cigars are hit or miss, but once you get into premium territory, they offer some real bangers. The La Aurora 120th Anniversary is absolutely phenomenal. The ADN Dominicano? Yes, please. The Hors D’age? If you see some, get some. Don’t hesitate. They have some new releases coming too, like the Fuerte Sol, which I’m really looking forward to trying.

But what some may not realize is that they also make some delicious rum and spirits under the León Jimenes brand. And that brings us to the heart of the recent announcement.

La Aurora is opening a new Miami distribution center

Source: La Aurora

Source: La Aurora

La Aurora and Caribbean Sunrise Spirits are opening a Miami Distribution Center, scheduled to do so officially on June 10th. It will significantly expand the capabilities of both companies and allow them to “function more efficiently,” enabling customized support for trusted partners, retailers and distributors here in the U.S..

Greyci Tineo, La Aurora USA and Caribbean Sunrise Spirits COO says the distribution “journey” actually started “back in April 2023, using a 3PL down in Houston to distribute our premium products.”

Tineo shares that the new facility “fits our strategic plan of reinforcing our commitment to faster service by increasing our inventory levels.”

While a warehouse and distribution center is typically better news for retailers, it makes a difference for consumers because it likely means La Aurora’s cigars and related offerings will be more accessible. La Aurora also makes and sells León Jimenes-brand cigars and the rum, as they’re all under the León family umbrella. A hugely influential family in the Dominican Republic.

La Aurora, Neptune Cigars, and Angurria team up for a monumental cultural mural in Little Havana

Source: La Aurora

Source: La Aurora

To celebrate the new opening, and the rich culture of Miami, the Latin identity, and Little Havana, La Aurora has teamed up with Neptune Cigars and Dominican artist Omar García, better known as “Angurria.”

They’ve come together to produce and unveil a cultural mosaic of Miami, painted on the façade of Neptune Cigars’ new warehouse on 7th Street in Little Havana. Titled “Puentes de Aerosol,” the mural honors the city’s historic role as a new home for uprooted communities. Miami is “a sanctuary for those escaping political unrest while holding tightly to their roots.”

The monumental — and it is massive — mural is 1,890 square feet, and located smack dab in the middle of one of Miami’s most vibrant neighborhoods. It seemed fitting to locate the mural here, with nearly 60,000 passerby daily, and as a center of cultural pride and resilience.

More than a mural; a ‘love letter’ to Latin identity

Source: La Aurora

Source: La Aurora

Source: La Aurora

Taking shape over seven months, with careful planning, many passionate and involved meetings, and a commitment from all partners, the mural is now set in stone, if you will. Brought to life in just six days, across 60 hours of meticulous labor by a team of more than nine, its beauty is unmatched.

The Associate Brand Manager of La Aurora USA — and a veritable genius I had the chance to meet — Elvis Batista makes it clear, “this project is more than a mural.”

 “It is a love letter to Latin identity, to the journey of migration, and to the enduring power of culture. The mural on Calle 7 is a testament to the beauty of collaboration and the magic that happens when art, tradition, and community come together.”

“It’s a celebration of who we are — as people, as Latinos, as craftsmen — and of the deep and unbreakable bond between our culture and this city. At the heart of this collaboration is the celebration of heritage: La Aurora’s proud Dominican roots, the city of Miami’s cultural tapestry, and Neptune Cigars’ deep ties to the South Florida cigar community. Together, we brought Angurria’s compelling artistic vision to life, giving the community a mural that is both personal and universal — one that speaks to the immigrant story, the love of craft, and the pursuit of the American dream.”

The mural’s official unveiling will take place on June 10th, with representatives from all partners in attendance, including La Aurora, Neptune Cigars, Angurria Studio, the Miami Mayor and more. It will mark an immense moment of celebration for the community, sparking unity, gratitude, and respect — the perfect opportunity to honor the story behind the art and community that inspired the vision.

The post La Aurora has big news: New Miami warehouse and community mural appeared first on The BS Lounge.

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.

The post La Aurora’s Fuerte Sol is the first edition of the Family Creed series and it sounds phenomenal appeared first on The BS Lounge.

Introducing the Romeo y Julieta 150th Anniversary cigar

Source: Romeo y Julieta

Made at Tabacalera de Garcia in the Dominican Republic, the cigar will include a blend of tobacco from some of the biggest families in the business. The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper is from AJ Fernandez, while the San Andrés binder helms from the Turrent family. Finally, the fillers will include Honduran and Peruvian tobacco from Plasencia and Dominican filler from José Mendez & Co. Wow. Talk about a multi-generational blend there.

It will be available in three sizes, including Balconet (6 by 54), Prologue (5 by 50) and Crescendo (7 by 50).

At this point, I can only imagine what that blend is going to offer, but I’m willing to bet it’s going to be pretty damn good. We’ll find out soon enough. ProCigar Festival attendees will be some of the first to see this cigar up close and personal. Then, it’s set to debut during PCA in April, in New Orleans, and should be available to retailers — and everyone else — shortly after that.

Not that it matters, but I will be doing my best to get my hands on some of these when the time comes. If and when that happens I will happily share my thoughts on the experience here.

This story originally appeared on Cigar Aficionado. You can read more there.

The post Romeo y Julieta 150th Anniversary features one hell of a blend appeared first on The BS Lounge.

What is the Pro Cigar Festival?

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Scheduled to take place from February 16 to 21, 2025, you can register for the Pro Cigar Festival to take part. If you have the time and the opportunity, I highly recommend getting involved. Absolutely nothing can prepare you for seeing everything up close, especially if you’ve never seen anything like it.

As I’ve outlined in my Visiting La Aurora series, it will change your views on cigars. No fewer than 300 hands go into the creation of a cigar. The manual labor, the pure talent, and the love of the craft are injected into the entire process.

If you love cigars as much as I do it’s the ultimate experience. You’ll get to see not only how the cigars are made but also where they’re made — the curing barns and fields are amazing — and how the blends are made. From reading the plans you might even get the chance to rub elbows with a master blender or two. That’s a humbling event. Trust me.

If you miss it this year they do a festival every year so plan ahead.

What brands are participating?

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

La Romana, Tabacalera de Garcia, La Flor Dominicana, De Los Reyes, Davidoff, Romeo y Julieta, La Aurora, Arturo Fuente, and a few others are highlighted with varying experiences throughout the event.

You can see the entire itinerary on the Pro Cigar Festival page. They’ve also been highlighting some of the past and upcoming experiences on their Instagram page. At the very least go give them a follow and see what they’ve been up to.

You’ll also get lots of new cigars and goodies from the sounds of it. Plus, the organization contributes to charities and non-profits so it’s for a good cause.

Are you going?

If you registered and plan on going, I’d love to hear from you. Sound off in the comments about your experiences. I love talking shop and I bet you do too.

The post The Pro Cigar Festival: An opportunity to see the cigar trade up close appeared first on The BS Lounge.

Source: La Aurora

Andullo tobacco, pronounced an-doo-yaw, is a centuries-old form produced by Dominican ancestors and natives. Handcrafted to be potent, and aromatic, it’s aged, more than many other tobaccos and there’s a specific process followed to create it. Andullo is very dark, almost black. The dried tobacco leaves have a delightful aroma, best described as dried fruits. When smoked, you’ll taste notes of spice, wood, and tons of sweetness and creaminess.

It tastes a lot like pipe tobacco, which is why it’s used in many forms of tobacco products, including cigarettes, pipe tobacco, and cigars. One of the best cigars on the market that uses Andullo is the La Aurora ADN Dominicano — which stands for Dominican DNA.

Today, some of the more prominent Andullo tobacco is cultivated and aged by La Aurora in the Dominican Republic.

How is Andullo tobacco made?

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

According to La Aurora, Dominican variety tobacco seeds are grown to the appropriate size and then the Andullo process starts, taking about one full year to complete:

• When ready, the bottom leaves of the plant are culled. Leaves from the upper middle of the plant continue to grow, or the Ligero. The key is to select leaves with excess strength, flavor, and aromas.
• Next, the leaves are plucked and bundled for curing — stored in gavillas or sartas. They hang for two weeks allowing the leaves to become more flexible.
• After curing, the bundles or sartas are removed and the leaves are cleared of their midrib, a course central vein that runs through the bulk of the leaf.
• The tobacco is rolled inside pods called yagua. These pods are made of the Palma Real, a native palm tree. Once inside, the tobacco continues its curing process but also undergoes fermentation. This is possible because the yagua are organic and so they allow the tobacco leaves to breathe.
• Still inside the yagua, the tobacco is pressed in several stages, with a period of rest in between. Ropes around the yagua are used to compress the pod, helping dry out the tobacco faster. This is done about five times. The tobacco is checked in between presses to gauge its progress and ensure no damage has occurred to the leaves. What’s most interesting about this phase is there’s no heat introduced to the tobacco, it’s an entirely ‘cold’ process.
• Finally, the tobacco is aged for one to two years to allow for it to dry up almost completely. This is where most of its flavor and strength are improved.

What is Andullo tobacco like?

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

The best way to describe the smell is as a dry fruit, similar to apricots, dates, or even cherries. The aroma is pungent yet pleasant, and you can almost taste the leaves when you smell it, it’s that strong. As for what it tastes like when you smoke, let’s just say it’s very aromatic. That’s an experience I don’t want to ruin for anyone who wants to try it.

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

In a cigar, it’s definitely sweet, creamy, and delicious but it’s not quite as sweet as something like a Fat Bottom Betty, which likely uses a small amount of Perique tobacco and a proprietary blend to gain its extra flavoring.

In other words, it’s sweet, but not too sweet, if you catch my drift.

I recommend giving it a try even if you don’t typically like sweet cigars. I normally don’t and yet I thought it was a fantastic experience.

Some other cigars that use andullo tobacco are:

• Andullo by Simón Beltré — Not available in the U.S.
• CAO Arcana
• H Upmann Hispaniola by Jose Mendez
• VegaFina Fortaleza 2 Andullo
• Vivonte Andullo-X

The post What is Andullo tobacco? appeared first on 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

The people were warm and inviting. The city of Santiago de los Caballeros is beautiful and rich in history, culture, and artisanry. And, without a doubt, I have plans to return someday soon, if only to do some more exploring for myself.

While you might think I’m sharing this to gloat, boasting about a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you may never see, dear reader, it’s the exact opposite. You see, the La Aurora team has plans to package this and provide it to those who want to experience it for themselves in the most opulent of ways.

The upcoming Master Class — part of the La Aurora Cigar Institute — which was the original trip I was meant to take, will soon be available to all. Some of the finer details are forthcoming, but Elvis Batista explained everything to me over dinner one evening. The idea is to bring passionate, cigar-loving folks down and treat them to a comprehensive seed-to-ash journey, complete with the option to roll your own cigars with the best of the best. I may seem like an enthusiastic person normally, but this is, hands down, one of the most exciting things I’ve heard in a long while. I’m thrilled about the prospect of sharing the experience with others, and I cannot wait for the rest of the cigar community to dive in.

I believe, in my heart and mind, that the La Aurora team is doing something truly remarkable here.

Dancing in the streets

The city tour was incredible. With our wiley bunch, we explored the finer parts of Santiago, getting up close and personal with the locals. At one point, we even danced in the street — well, mostly Jake — but the rest of us lived vicariously through him. We also stopped off at a few places along the way, including a small convenience store that has the coldest beer in the Dominican Republic, or so it’s claimed. It was pretty damn cold and delicious.

For most of the trip we drank Presidente, a pilsner beer originally owned and produced by the Cervecería Nacional Dominicana (CND), which now rests under the umbrella of the León Jimenes Group — they purchased CND, securing leadership of the Dominican Republic’s beer market.

We also visited two reverent chapels, one an actual Catholic site, the St. James the Apostle Cathedral (Catedral de Santiago Apóstol). I’m not a religious man, but I felt the spiritual vibes as soon as we stepped inside. They were heavy, palpable, and inveigling. It’s exactly the kind of monastery you’d find looming in an orthodox neighborhood in the States. It looms above the square, intimidating but downright stunning. Inside, the elaborate decor, stained glass, precise marble-cut figures, and scenery steal your breath — plucking it right from your lungs. It was a sight to behold for anyone, that much I know.

The other “cathedral” was the 1885 Palacio Consistorial or the original town hall. It was an old, historic building, hundreds of years old, much like you’d find somewhere in Boston or New England. But its character and grit, inside and out, was definitely Dominicano. Vibrant yellows, natural wood, and exquisite adornments all pockmarked the aging structure with personality. We sat down on the second-floor balcony to eat lunch, a buffet of Dominican staples including pork and rice, before eventually heading to the day’s final destination: The Monumento de Santiago.

Dinner with a master blender

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

At the heart of La Aurora’s success is Manuel Inoa. As an esteemed tobacconist, he has been directly responsible for some of the brand’s best and most intriguing blends over the years. He credits some very influential mentors for his current talent and standing. Those talents include Benji Menendez of General Cigars, Angel Daniel Núñez also with General Cigars, and Don Fernando León. So, yeah, some pretty big names.

I met Inoa once before the trip, briefly, during a virtual tasting event for the 120th Anniversary. That alone was quite the experience. But getting the chance to sit down with him at dinner, break bread, and talk shop is going down as one of the highlights of my own life.

I can’t speak to the details of the cigar or the blend, it’s still a work in progress, but Inoa treated our group to a unique tasting of a brand-new cigar. Naturally, I was geeking out and it didn’t hurt that the cigar I tried was incredible. I always preach that what you’re doing when you smoke, who you’re with, what you’ve eaten, what you drink, and the environment all play a role in how the cigar treats you. I’m sure all of that played a role, but I assure you, that cigar was phenomenal.

A master blender walks into a restaurant

What’s most disarming is this man, with years and years of experience — someone who had no business caring what a random and average cigar smoker thought about his work — sat down across from me and wanted my thoughts on the blend. Not just me, but everyone at that table. He cared what we had to say. He wanted to know what flavors we picked up, what we felt about the blend, and what we would compare it to.

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

As he so eloquently put it, “I care more about what everyone else has to say when they smoke these cigars and what they experience.”

Try as I might, I will never top that opportunity. The time I was able to sit down with a master blender, try something new he’s working on, and give him direct feedback. It may amount to nothing or it may shape the coming release, for better or worse, but it happened, and it was remarkable. This geeky, excitable cigar-loving goober was flabbergasted, indefinitely. I still can’t believe it happened.

It’s also an insight into how much these master crafts folk care about the community. They care about what happens when we sit down to smoke one of their cigars and blends. More than just selling a product. They want to make sure we’re having the time of our lives. When we light up, all the world’s troubles should fade away, if only for an hour or two.

I wouldn’t doubt that every single person I met, toiling away on the tobacco, from farmer to sorter and roller, loves what they do. The passion is there, it’s visible, and it’s really special — because you definitely don’t see it in every modern industry. They pour their adoration into this craft and every time we light up, it’s there in the room with us.

Sealing the deal at La Aurora in the Dominican Republic

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

I could probably sit here, cigar lit, drink in hand, and typing away. Pouring all my thoughts into pages upon pages of content. But it has to conclude somewhere.

I will concede that this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I have been very fortunate and privileged to embark upon. Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to go on such an adventure and that does make me sad. I want to see everyone who loves cigars as much as me, travel to the source, get hands-on, and see these incredible people at work. I want everyone to see how much blood, sweat, and tears go into making these handcrafted products that we all love.

It’s one thing to read about it in an article or a magazine. It’s another thing to watch videos and documentaries. To actually get boots on the ground, see the fields, walk through the curing barn, touch the tobacco leaves, roll a cigar — that’s a whole different dimension. It gives one a totally new perception of the world of cigars. From the most expensive premium blends to the cheapest handcrafted cigars, you gain a new understanding and a new appreciation for the craft.

An opportunity for all who seek it

For now, I’ll settle upon this.

An opportunity is coming, maybe not for all, but it is coming. Keep an eye on the horizon, and maybe think about joining a La Aurora Cigar Institute session when available. You better believe I’ll be keeping up on its progress. When there’s more news to share, I’ll be the first one standing on the corner shouting through a bullhorn.

I want you all to experience this, if possible. It’s a big deal for the community and an even bigger deal for the industry. Tours happen, all across the world, and cigar makers do give people in the community a look behind the scenes. But this, this is something next-level. Maybe I’m a little too enthusiastic, but if I can’t muster the excitement for something like this, something I’m so infinitely passionate about, then I really don’t know where to go from here.

Okay, that’s a lie. I do know exactly where to go. Right back to La Aurora in the Dominican Republic.

The post Visiting La Aurora Part III: The Dominicano flavor appeared first on The BS Lounge.