The Stogie Guys

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) The new Cohiba Behike is expected to hit non-U.S. stores in mid-June. Lauded by some as the finest cigar ever produced in Cuba or elsewhere, Behike uses a rare “medio tiempo” leaf and is being advertised as the “new standard among smokers worldwide.” Its name comes from the Tiano word for sorcerer or doctor. While the blend’s three sizes will retail for $36-57 apiece, high demand and low supply make black markets likely in countries where Cubans are legal—and almost certain in America thanks to the trade embargo.

2) The “CAO Invitational” golf tournament, sponsored by Famous Smoke Shop, will tee off Friday, April 16, at the Whitetail Golf Club in Bath, Pennsylvania. The cost of admission ($70 per person) includes greens fees, a post-round dinner, and a CAO goodie bag complete with smokes and swag.

3) Inside the Industry: All but two of the cigar rollers at the El Credito factory in Miami have been let go, Cigar Aficionado reports, as General Cigar transitions the famous space where La Gloria Cubana was created into a cigar lounge. The Cuban Stock Cigar Company is increasing its distribution of Exquisito, Chubbys, Cuban Stock Vintage, Joya de Havana, and Delicioso cigars to 130 stores nationwide.

4) Around the Blogs: Keepers of the Flame examines the science of cigar flavors. Stogie Review lights up the Illusione 88. Cigar Inspector inspects the Velazquez. A Cigar Smoker smokes the CAO Criollo. Tampa Cigar Examiner examines the Upper Cut by Punch. Nice Tight Ash checks out the Arturo Fuente Rosado Gran Reserva.

5) Deal of the Week: We’ve found yet more unpublicized deals from Cuban Crafters. There are a number of discounts, but our favorites are boxes of the Cameroon Cabinet Toro for $70, Cubano Claro Lonsdale for $60, and La Carolina Pyramid for $70. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

I maintain that La Aurora is an underrated cigar maker. Headed by Guillermo León and José Blanco, La Aurora doesn’t chase trends, but seems to produce solid, tasty smokes year after year, with Preferidos and Cien Años as classic examples.

Speaking of years, this year La Aurora—the oldest Dominican cigar company—celebrates its 107th anniversary. Like so many cigar companies, its celebrating with a new cigar. “We had defined our goal early on,” said León, La Aurora VP, “and that was to bring the smokers a medium-bodied, richly flavored smoke with a fair amount of spice at a very attractive price.”

Leon and Blanco created the La Aurora 107 blend with an Ecuadorian wrapper, a Dominican binder, and a combination of Dominican and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. The Robusto (4.5 x 50) retails for $6.50. Other sizes of the cigar, due out only in brick and mortar cigar shops, are a Toro (5.5 x 54) and a Belicoso (6.25 x 52).

The Ecuadorian wrapper is oily and rough with plenty of veins. The cigar is slightly spongy to the touch but even throughout. Upon clipping the head, an easy draw is apparent which is maintained throughout the short robusto.

Upon lighting, I find a hint of bitterness in the first few puffs, which soon gives way to toasty flavors with a hint of spice. There’s also a nice bit of sweetness that I commonly associate with maduro smokes.

The 107 is medium-bodied and balanced. As it evolves, a burnt chary flavor emerges, along with more woody spices, and even a hint of Bordeaux-like wine notes. Construction is flawless with a solid ash and even burn producing thick, lush smoke.

I’m always a big believer in the idea that smoking slowly brings out the best in a cigar, and that is especially true in the La Aurora 107. When smoked too quickly, the 107 develops a slight bitterness. However, with enough patience (by limiting the 107 to no more than two draws per minute) it can be a smooth, subtle smoke.

So while you may have to work at it, the La Aurora 107 has a lot to offer. Given some aging time I think it might turn out even better. Even so, right now the La Aurora 107 Robusto earns a rating of three and a half stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys