La Aurora Barrel Aged No.4

After a long hiatus due to a pretty severe illness I am back on the cigar wagon with a trail of smoke drifting behind me. I begin with this dark, rich offering from La Aurora. I smoked this and gave it a 90+ rating last year, I was curious to see how it would stand up against the last review. The cigar presents with a very dark oscuro wrapper, there are some prominent veins that cause me some measure of concern. An inspection shows a cigar that may be a bit too firm and I am worried about draw issues. The pre light aroma shows a strong tobacco character. The pre light draw shows rich tobacco notes and some nice earthy tones.

The cigar opens with a profile that has a strong tobacco core. There are some slightly floral notes intermingled amongst the strong waves of tobacco flavors. At the back of the palate there is an interesting blend of rich coffee flavor with some earthy undertones. The draw is a bit thin, but I am not finding too much issue with it. The burn is sharp and produces a bright white ash.

The first half of the smoke continues to show rich tobacco flavors, the floral notes have given way to a sweetness that is reminiscent of molasses. At the back of the palate coffee and earth continue to show through. The draw remains thin, but it is still not too much of an issue. The burn has become lopsided and is threatening to canoe.

The final half of the cigar maintains a core profile of rich tobacco, but I am also detecting some notes of cocoa, earth and molasses in the presentation. The depth of flavors is nice, but the profile could use more complexity. At the back of the palate strong coffee flavors dominate. The draw stays tight throughout the smoke, but does not hurt the performance that much. The burn continues to be lopsided, and I let the cigar go with an inch or so left to avoid a relight.

The finish is long and sharp showing notes of tobacco, coffee and earth.

Appearance- 87 some prominent veins hurt the score
Taste- 91 a nice profile that could use more complexity
Construction- 83 the burn and draw issues lead to this score
Strength- 88 a nice medium to full presentation
Overall- 87.25 a slightly above average experience

La Aurora Barrel Aged No. 4

This corona sized cigar presents with a dark, rich oscuro wrapper. The wrapper is flawless and has little veining. The pre light aroma has notes of cocoa and earth. The pre light draw is sweet and has notes of light tobacco. The construction appears to be excellent and the cigar is supple and appropriately firm.

The cigar opens with a deep, rich tobacco character with hints of cocoa at the back of the palate. The cigar produces acceptable amounts of smoke and the burn is sharp and the ash is a bright white color.

At the halfway point the cigar develops an even richer tobacco character that cloys some of the other notes that are present. However, through the nose I still experience some fine characteristics of cocoa and earth. The burn has stayed consistant and the ash is firm.

In the last half of the cigar I note the maintenance of strong tobacco character, but there are undertones of earth and spice beginning to show on the palate as well. I encounter a minor burn flaw, but it is of no real issue. There is also an oaky flavor developing that adds to the complexity of this cigar.

The finish of this smoke is an intense array of strong tobacco and earth. There is a slightly acidic note that fouls some of the profile.

Appearance- 94 a beautiful cigar with a nearly flawless visual presentation
Taste- 87 this score is hurt by the muddled character in the middle of the cigar and the acidic note on the finish
Construction- 89 one minor burn flaw
Strength- 92 a fine example of a full bodied smoke when measured against the other characteristics creates a fine smoking experience
Overall- 90.5