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.

Rather than force the content out of my brain, I whip something up when the muse strikes. I’m also not trying to compete with the bigger news sites and magazines on any level. A ghost town is just fine with me and I’m not after CLICKSCLICKSCLICKS, which is something you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

You can find the X (Twitter) account here. Alternatively, you can find the Instagram account here. If I decide to open up any more socials, I’ll update this post accordingly.

Either way, stay smoky y’all!

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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.

Of course, they also have their self-titled releases, with this next one making a splash on store shelves real soon. Like, now, soon. Introducing the Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario 25 Edición Limitada.

They’ll feature an MSRP of $30 per cigar, available in boxes of 10, and are limited to 1,000 boxes total. Select stores will start selling these bad boys real soon. Apparently, each store received a limit of no more than five boxes. That might make them tougher to find than most.

What is the Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario 25 Edición Limitada?

Shaped in a toro extra, at 6-1/4 inches by 52, the limited run celebrates and highlights Aganorsa Leaf’s 25 year anniversary. The anniversary actually happened in 2023, but this tobacco was aged two years, hence the delayed launch.

Inside, and outside, you’ll find all Nicaraguan tobaccos from the Aganorsa farms. What makes this one a bit different is that signature Aganorsa kick, and full-bodied experience, has been dialed back a bit. The Leaf Aniversario should be medium-bodied.

The brand’s owner, Eduardo Fernández, says the vision was “to bring the essence of traditional Cuban tobacco to Nicaragua by employing Cuban agricultural and fermentation methods, ultimately creating Aganorsa’s signature flavor profile.”

“This cigar celebrating our 25-year journey underscores a commitment to tradition and craftsmanship, showcasing Aganorsa’s dedication to authenticity in the tobacco industry.”

Sure, it might be a tough get, depending on where you are, but I’m also sure it’s going to be well worth it. If you get the chance, smoke one of these down to a nub.

Update: An earlier version mentioned the 25 year anniversary was in 2024. It actually happened in 2023.

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What is the La Aurora Small Batch Lot No. 7?

Source: La Aurora

Source: La Aurora

Source: La Aurora

Source: La Aurora

Pulled directly from La Aurora’s prestigious aging room in the Dominican Republic, Small Batch Lot No. 7 will be available in a Vintage Robusto format — 4.5 inches by 50. It features a complex mashup of tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Peru. Now we’re talking!

The double binder is a Dominican and Cameroon blend. Together, those add both strength and sweetness. The wrapper is a Mexican San Andrés for those rich, toasty flavors. Then, of course, the filler is a blend of Dominican, Peruvian, and Nicaraguan tobaccos.

They’re arriving in boxes of ten, each aged a total of 21 years. Dear lord that’s an incredible set of age on the tobacco. La Aurora says that’s actually one of the longest ages they’ve ever done for a Small Batch Lot.

Exclusively available at PCA 2025, Small Batch Lot No. 7 will release in a limited run of 180 boxes and the company expects them to sell out. The suggested MSRP is $150 per box, which prices them at about $15 per cigar. That’s not a bad price at all. If you are attending PCA 2025 in April, I highly suggest seeking some of these out.

La Aurora will be at Booth 4328 during the show, which runs from April 11 to 14.

Tell me more about La Aurora Small Batch

Source: La Aurora

Source: La Aurora

As the name implies, the Small Batch series always includes a limited run of aged or unique tobaccos, generally chosen by Manuel Inoa, the brand’s exceptional master blender.

Of course, Inoa himself does a superb job of explaining what Small Batch is and why it exists:

“Small Batch is a series that is very special to me. Not only because I created it, but it is literally in the name. These cigars will only ever exist in small batches: each release features distinct tasting notes rooted in tobaccos that have been aged and are unable to be blended and rolled in large-scale quantities.”

Inoa goes on to say, “Lot No. 7 is especially important to us as it is a vintage robusto that boasts one of the longest ages in all our small batch lots at 21 years and is being released as a PCA Alliance Exclusive.”

Every Small Batch run from the brand has a unique story. What La Aurora describes as “a selection of leaves and notes […] crafted specifically for limited editions or other small-scale projects.”

Many of the blends have been “treasured in limited quantities in their aging room, with some having been aged up to 21 years,” not unlike this new Small Batch lot.

“As a result, unique cigars are being released within the Small Batch line, each representing a different exploration from years past of Master Blender Manuel Inoa. Every edition will have an individual format, blend, and unrepeatable tasting notes due to their advanced ages. Recent Small Batch releases have sold out in less than 2 weeks.”

Suffice it to say, the small batch releases provide incredible opportunities to try some rare, aged tobacco and, usually, in a unique blend that you won’t find anywhere else. That exclusivity definitely has my taste buds sparked. Plus, the blend La Aurora and Manuel Inoa have described sounds phenomenal. We’ll just have to wait and see.

The post La Aurora Small Batch Lot No. 7 debuts, crafted in partnership with PCA Alliance appeared first on The BS Lounge.

“As a result [of the aging], we named it Hors d’Age which is taken from the French cognac designation, literally translating to ‘beyond age.'”

Well, the brand just announced the 2025 release of the label with the La Aurora Preferidos Hors ‘dAge 2024 LE. Coming during PCA 2025 in April, it will be formally available to retailers at the event. It should show up on store and lounge shelves shortly after.

Why is the La Aurora Hors d’Age 2024 so special?

Source: La Aurora

Who could say it better than La Aurora’s master blender Manuel Inoa, the man responsible for the delightful mixing of the tobacco?

“From seed to cigar, the journey for this release began 12 years ago.”

Twelve years is indeed a long time. It’s both a well-balanced and vintage blend that includes extra-aged tobacco. That is what helps achieve an ultra-smooth experience even out of a medium to full-bodied smoke.

“As a result [of the aging], we named it Hors d’Age which is taken from the French cognac designation, literally translating to ‘beyond age.’  And just as Hors d’Age cognac is arguably some of the highest quality cognac in the world due to its age, we set out to create an annual release that was also of the highest quality, thanks to expert aging and blending.”

Time and world class tobacco. Those are the two main ingredients of the Hors d’Age line, beginning with its original conception. They age each tobacco leaf in the blend for twelve years.

Exquisite craftsmanship, one-of-a-kind experience

Source: La Aurora

Source: La Aurora

Source: La Aurora

In line with the original, La Aurora describes some of the savory flavor notes you’ll get when smoking this blend. The Hors d’Age 2024 LE is rolled in a Toro size, 5.75 by 54, and available in boxes of 15.

Hors d’Age 2024’s complex blend becomes a harmonized beauty filled with spicy notes complemented by delicate flavors. While the presence of wood is evident throughout the entire smoke, it is enriched by nuances of cinnamon, nuts, and even citrus in the finish. Its aromatic, rich smoke is characterized by its delicate touches of roasted coffee that prove to be the height of a demanding smoke.

If you’re like me and can’t wait to get your hands on it, we don’t have long to wait. Again, it will debut at PCA 2025 from April 11 to 14 in New Orleans. Then it should be available through retailers shortly after. Prices are expected to be $450 per box of 15 or about $30 per cigar. It is an extremely limited release, with only 700 boxes allocated to the U.S. market. La Aurora expects it to sell out fast.

The post La Aurora Preferidos Hors d’Age 2024 LE is coming to PCA 2025 and beyond appeared first on The BS Lounge.

So, you better believe when I heard a limited edition sampler is coming out with 10 of its action-packed blends my ears perked right up. I’d imagine many of yours did, as well.

What is the Aganorsa Leaf Flex Sampler?

Called the Aganorsa Leaf Flex Sampler, it offers the following 10 cigars in Toro size:

• La Validación Connecticut (6 x 52)
• La Validación Corojo (6 x 52)
• Signature Corojo (6 x 52)
• Signature Maduro (6 x 52)
• Supreme Leaf (6 x 54)
• Rare Leaf Corojo (6 x 54)
• Rare Leaf Maduro (6 x 54)
• Aniversario Connecticut (6 x 52)
• Aniversario Corojo (6 x 52)
• Aniversario Maduro (6 x 52)

But if you want to get your hands on one of the samplers, there’s a catch.

How do I get the Aganorsa Leaf Flex Sampler?

This beautiful, high-quality sampler will only be available at select live, in-store events at Aganorsa retailers. That means you need to high-tail to the nearest provider and make sure you’re in attendance, but each event will only have a limited selection of the samplers.

According to Terence Reilly, VP of Sales and Marketing for Aganorsa, only 10 of the samplers will be available at each event. That makes them almost double limited if that’s even a thing.

The first event kicks off Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Smoke and Joe Cigar Lounge in Cave Creek, Arizona. The sampler will debut for $140, which works out to about $14 per cigar. Trust me when I say, that’s not a bad price at all and these are some remarkable smokes. If you’ve never had Aganorsa before, give them a try. You won’t be disappointed.

You can read more about the launch at Halfwheel:

The post Want to get your hands on the new Aganorsa Leaf Flex Sampler? Here’s how appeared first on The BS Lounge.