La Aurora 1495 Series Brazil Robusto (5x50)

I reviewed this cigar nearly a year ago after I bought the rest of the inventory from my local B&M during a huge closeout. The results of the previous review were disastrous as the cigar performed so poorly that I could not finish the smoke. I am hoping for some different experiences after these cigars have rested peacefully in my humidor since I smoked the last one.

I immediately notice that the oils have diminished and the wrapper, while still holding a nice sheen, has taken on a hue that has less gleam than before. There is now a toothy quality to the wrapper that is interesting. I inspect the cigar closely and I can't find any reason to believe that there will be any issues. The pre light draw is a bit thin, but shows strong notes of earth. The pre light aroma is sweet and has some essence of coffee bean.

The cigar lights nicely and opens with a profile that is replete with earthy textures and flavors. The palate is coated with a dusty, thick coat of smoke that lingers in an attempt to convince the brain that there is a savory experience taking place. At the back of the palate there are some sour notes, but there are some essences of dark wood that are nice and smooth. The draw is a bit tight for me, but it imparts acceptable amounts of smoke up to this point. The burn is slightly off, but I am not seeing any issues that will cause a relight.

The first half of the cigar settles in to show some interesting flavor impressions. There are notes of earth and rich tobacco flavors that are straightforward and missing some depth and complexity. At the back of the palate there are some tones of dark wood and coffee, but there is a sour undertone that takes away from the impression. The draw opens slightly, but still remains just a bit too tight for me. The burn is still slightly off, but it is holding on and will not require a relight.

The final half of the cigar continues to disappoint from the standpoint of depth and complexity, but there are still some redeeming qualities. The core profile continues to be of earth and tobacco, but those flavors are not refined in a way that makes them notable. At the back of the palate there is a developing cocoa flavor that adds to the experience, but does not do enough to make the cigar anything more than average. The draw and burn stay the same as noted throughout the smoke.

The finish is long and sweet with notes of cocoa and rich tobacco.

Appearance- 86 a ruddy presentation
Taste- 86 slightly above average, but lacking in depth and complexity
Construction- 87 again above average, but the tightness in the draw was a drawback
Strength- 85 a very average medium
Overall- 86.25 a pedestrian offering that was better this time around

La Aurora 1495 Series Brazil Robusto

This cigar presents with a very dark wrapper the hue of rich coffee. There is some prominent veining and the cigar is firm. Physical inspection does not lead me to conclude that there will be any issues. The pre light aroma is of cedar and tobacco. The pre light draw is slightly bitter, but shows floral notes.

The cigar lights well, the draw is a bit tight, with flavors of earth and rich tobacco. There is an undertone of vegetation and some bitterness that detracts from the opening experience. The ash is a dirty white/gray and starts out a bit lopsided. The first third of this cigar stays much the same, except the bitterness intensifies slightly.

At just past the one third point I encounter a serious burn flaw and the cigar begins to canoe. There is also a serious tightening of the draw. Set on smoking through it I persevere for several minutes. The canoe grows for about an inch and I decide to touch it up with a little bit of flame. The cigar recovers well and resumes with flavors of rich tobacco and earth, there is still a note of bitterness at the back of the palate.

Again at the half way point another canoe begins to develop. As is my wont I try to smoke through this annoyance. Yet again the cigar fails to even out and I must go back to the lighter for a third time, two times too many for me. The cigar continues to hold a core of tobacco and earth, but the bitterness has turned to a very disappointing sourness at the back of the palate.

Just before the end of the cigar, another canoe develops. I give up and let it go without further struggle.

The finish was short with sour notes.

Appearance- 80 veining and rough looking construction hurt the score
Taste- 77 not complex and the smoke lacks depth
Construction- 70 no choice but the worst possible score here
Strength- 80 an unremarkable smoke
Overall- 76.75 I expected much, much more