Cigar Weekly

Cuba Aliados Toro Deluxe, Doble Corojo Wrapper

Published Saturday, March 31st, 2007
Compiled by Carl Johnsen (CJ3)

Cuba Aliados is produced by the famed cigar maker Rolando Reyes, Sr. in Danli, Honduras. With its wickedly difficult to grow Corojo wrapper, Cuba Aliados fulfills Rolando Reyes' every expectation. When done well, and Rolando can give lessons on the proper cultivation of Corojo, this wrapper takes its place among the greatest. Each cigar is hand made, using only select long filler tobaccos from the different countries which Rolando carefully selects and picks for each blend.

The cigars for our blind review were graciously provided by Carlos Diez, Director of Sales and grandson of 78-year old company founder and active cigar master Rolando Reyes, Sr.

Pre-Smoke Comments

Herfin Bigdog: Smelled like tobacco. The was nothing particular about it.

live2fish: Excellent burn and draw on both samples.

Briandg: Once again, this smoke was a somewhat larger than average toro, a decent looking wrapper, with a nice, mottled look. Again, construction was on the poor side, kind of lumpy, with some prominent veins and a loose wrap to it, and a head that was only a single flag. This head absolutely disintegrated during smoking, both specimens peeled off. Burn was mediocre, with a few recurrent problems. The draw was fine, and it had a somewhat nice, composty, earthy aroma to it. That is, until the last two thirds, when it took on a charred, burnt vegetation smell, somewhat simialr to burnt cabbage or brussels sprouts.

PCaponi: A very good looking cigar. The construction was very nice. Extremely good pre-light draw. Not much in the way of pre-light taste.

wolfpack97: A well made cigar with a slightly dark brown wrapper.Not as dark as most maduros but darker than EMS.Cigar had a faint sweet taste when I first placed in my mouth to light.

kosmen: Mystery Cigar #5:

(Stored in cabinet humidor 70deg/70RH)

Friday 03/17/07: Start: 12:01 AM Finnish: 01:12 AM

Food prior to lighting up: Grilled Chicken burger w sautéed mushrooms and cheese. French fry's and Iced tea.

Drink: I paired a Glenmorange 10Yo scotch with a splash of water. It was drunk from my Reidel malt whiskey glass.

Location: In my smoking chair in front of the tube.

Pre light aroma: This cigar had quite a floral bouquet with a hint of earth lingering in the background.

Construction: This cigar was in significantly better shape than the other sample. It had an even medium chocolate wrapper and the overall construction was capital. It had several tiny veins and when rolled it felt properly humidified.

Pre Light: I made a cut with my Xikar cigar cutter. The cut was razor accurate. The pre light taste revealed more earth than the initial pre light aroma suggested. It was a promising start to a beautiful stick.

JulietasRomeo: Just looking at this cigar made me salivate. It had an extremely oily medium brown wrapper that just screamed SMOKE ME!!!!!!!! So, I dove right in.

Smoke Comments

Herfin Bigdog: Although brown, the wrapper was not a maduro leaf. It had no taste characteritics of a maduro wrapped cigar.

live2fish: I thought the stick had a nice balance of flavor, strength, and body. Throughout both samples, I found a pleasant amount of spiciness.

Briandg: I got a rather mild smoke, with a little bite to it, and a pretty average maduro character. I remember it being more earthy than some smokes, and a pretty unfamiliar blend of flavors. The lingering finish had a bitter tang to is, and eventually, these things turned into just plain awful, bitter, tarry, messes.

PCaponi: Everything about this cigars was fine, with one exception. Flavor. I just didn't get any with either of the two provided. The aftertaste was unpleasent.

wolfpack97: A good easy draw that produced lots of firm gray ash.Not sure if this was a maduro , as I don't smoke many, but it had a slightly sweet chocolate flavor that I enjoyed.Also a good medium body.

kosmen: Taste: From the initial draws there was plentiful smoke and the taste of a medium bodied smoke filled with spice and rich tobacco. This stick from the beginning held my attention. It was clean and had very little aftertaste.

First Third:

The first third of the cigar was medium and from the get go established its self as a medium smoke. Waves of spice and earth permeated my palate. I was setting in a small cloud of delight. It was neither aggressive nor mild, but just as the story of the three bears, I had found "just right."

Half Way Point:

At the half way point it picked up a little steam and became more aggressive. I wanted something a little sweet so I poured a dram of 10Yo Glenmorange with a splash of water. The slight sweetness complimented the earthy profile well. I could feel a little burn in the back of my throat, but it was probably due to the fact that I was enjoying the cigar so much that I found it difficult to let it rest. I felt the compulsion to puff puff puff.

Final Third:

A little more steam yet, but not much. I couldn't put this little stick down! It was very smooth even toward the very end. There was no bright taste that one can get from the final third of a smoke (especially if you can't stop puffing like there's no tomorrow). It picked up a little woody taste and the earth and tobacco became more pronounced. I smoked this till my fingers burned. I poured another Dram and finally let the last ½ inch expire in the ash tray.

JulietasRomeo: I really don't like throwing names in a comparison, but this cigar reminded me of a RP Edge Toro. It's flavor was out of this world. Starting out kind of woodsy, this cigar erupted into a spicy yet creamy flavor, then finished out with a light cocoa flavor towards the end. Excellence!!!!

Summary Comments

Herfin Bigdog: Ithought it was somewhat harsh. Maybe it needs more aging? I think it has some Nicaraguan tobacco in the blend.

live2fish: An above average cigar that I would recommend folks at least give a try. I would buy is the price was right.

Briandg: All things considered, I am surprised at how bad those were. They looked decent, better than a lot of dollar bundle cigars, with nicely built long filler bunches. The foot of both showed a wide range of colors and textures, which indicated either a complex blend, or just use of random leaf. Aroma was good, for the first part of the smoke, flavor was acceptable, and construction was not bad for a cheap yard gar. It was SERIOUSLY disposable, though. By the time I hit the last quarter of the first one, I noticed a bit of a nicotine buzz, and since it had already turned the corner into a real stinkburger, I threw it into the street. The stain is still there! I then spent the next hour on the floor of my shower, shaking and sweating, while the water poured over me. I was trying desperately to not hurl last weeks pizza. I don't know whether the smoke itself was that strong, or if it was just my own admittedly poor tolerance for nicotine, but this was a real surprise from what was a rather bland smoke. The second specimen was much like the first, barnyard flavors and aromas, that turned nasty about when the first half hour was up. I tossed this one early; I saw no point in exposing myself to it, as it was following the progress of the first smoke, point by point.

I was really disappointed. Poorly built, of what must have been probably poorly cured and badly chosen tobacco. Maybe I'm wrong, and I just have no appreciation for cigars made out of brussels sprouts, but again, I have to just call this one a poodle stick and leave it at that. Yuck.

PCaponi: Very dissapointed. What looked to be a fine cigar did nothing. Cut, burn and draw were flawless. I just never found any flavor in these. I'v had this happen to me on occassion when I have a fresh or new cigar. Maybe with some time it will age and develope into something I would spend and hour and a half enjoying, but I can't say that now.

wolfpack97: This was a great cigar that I would definately smoke again.Construction, draw, and burn were exceptional. Great flavor and not too over powering.

kosmen: Synopsis: I usually smoke a fuller bodied cigar and this cigar was right in the flavor profile that I enjoy. It was well complemented by the grilled chicken. The sweetness of the scotch also played well with this medium bodied beauty. After my slightly disappointing experience with the first review (#4), I was a little apprehensive to smoke this cigar, but I am happy to say that my skepticism was abated. Even though I did so for the purpose of this review, this is the type of cigar that you no not have to pay close heed to subtle nuances. It ends the way it started...Good. I would add (and plan to add) it to my regular rotation. I appreciate the opportunity to review this cigar!

JulietasRomeo: This cigar was outrageously good, but not perfect. I gave the quality rating a 9 out of 10 because the wrapper had a few chips and blemishes. Like I said though the flavor definitely made up for this. I would without a doubt buy these cigars. They are excellent, now if I could just get some pricing on them.

Scores

Review Results

Final Score: 35.60 out of 50 - 4 Stars -- Excellent